Epilogue

• Published date: 01 December 2018
• Date: 01 December 2018
• DOI: 10.1177/1057567718766209
• Author: Mark A. Drumbl
• Subject Matter: Articles

Article

Epilogue: Homecoming

Kings, Queens, Jesters, and

Nobodies

Mark A. Drumbl

1

Abstract

This epilogue unpacks the return of convicted war criminals as homecomings, with all the attendant

rites, rituals, and expectations. Knotting together the various papers in this edited collection, this

paper examines how the international community constructs an ideal homecoming and, in turn, how

such a construction may simply be fanciful.

Keywords

other, law enforcement/security, courts/law

And did they get you to trade

Your heroes for ghosts?

Hot ashes for trees?

Hot air for a cool breeze?

Cold comfort for change?

And did you exchange

A walk on part in the war

For a leading role in a cage?

Pink Floyd, “Wish you were here,” verse 2 (1975),

writers: David Gilmour, Roger Waters

“That’s immortality,” said Goethe [to Hemingway]. ‘Immortality means eternal trial.’

“If it’s eternaltrial, there ought to be a decent judge.Not a narrow-minded school teacherwith a rod

in her hand” [replies Hemingway to Goethe].

Milan Kundera, Immortality (1991, p. 91)

1

Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, USA

Corresponding Author:

Mark A. Drumbl, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA 24450, USA.

Email: drumblm@wlu.edu

International CriminalJustice Review

2018, Vol. 28(4) 438-444

ª2018 Georgia State University

Article reuse guidelines:

sagepub.com/journals-permissions

DOI: 10.1177/1057567718766209

journals.sagepub.com/home/icj