Edward 'Ned' Kelly – Undoubtedly a Villain

Robbing banks, murdering people and more, Ned Kelly was a cold-hearted and courageous bushranger. With evidence from the book Black Snake by Carole Wilkinson, it is an indisputable fact that Ned Kelly was a villain. Edward 'Ned' Kelly was an Australian bushranger, outlaw, gang leader and convicted police murderer. One of the last bushrangers, and by far the most famous, he is best known for wearing a suit of bulletproof armour during his final shootout with the police. He was very brave and had a rebellion towards the police and government. This can be supported by the fact that Ned Kelly robbed numerous banks as well as held innocent people captive as prisoners. Besides he was a murderer after facing a brutal life.

After being accused of becoming a villain Ned Kelly is also known as a robber. While living in a poor family Ned was willing to do all he could to help and support his family including stealing cattle and valuable items and then selling them in return for cash. Besides, Ned has been recorded for numerous bank robberies with an outstanding getaway and a massive amount of cash stolen. An example from the book Black Snake can be seen on page 12-13 when Ned had stolen money, watches and a good quality saddle as he did not earn a fortune and needed it desperately. As well as on page 4-5 and 24-25 Ned had stolen cattle and had taken up the job of what he called ‘wholesale and retail horse and cattle dealing’ which was horse and cattle theft. Along with that Ned and his gang returned and sold horses and cattle for rewards and money. Also, from the Jerilderie Letter the quote “No person had anything to do with the stealing and selling of the horses but me and George King William Cooke who was convicted for Whitty’s horses was innocent.” written by Ned can be seen that he was guilty of stealing and selling horses. Therefore, after robbing numerous banks, horses, and cattle Ned will always be remembered as a villainous outlaw.

However, in addition to Ned Kelly being a villain, before robbing any banks Ned kept innocent people as prisoners. Ned was known for one of the best bank robbers. Hence that he was always wanted for thief by the police. Therefore, this information can be supported by the book Black Snake on page 104 when it says, “The gang made themselves comfortable at the Glenrowan Inn and waited for the train. Meanwhile they were collecting up a crowd of prisoners.” this shows that Ned and the gang had collected a group of innocent people and held them in them captive in the Inn while they waited for the train full of police officers to arrive which was unnecessary. This is because during the final battle of Ned and the polices it caused Ned’s brother, best friend and 4 innocent townspeople which were held as prisoners to be killed. However, if the townspeople were not held captive there may have been little to no death that occurred to the innocent townspeople. In addition to pages 77-80 in Black Snake before the Kelly Gang had stuck up at the bank, they had kept people as prisoner while Mr John Tarleton (Bank Manager) went to open the safe. Therefore, Ned Kelly wasn’t just a villain he had kept innocent people as prisoners before robbing every bank.

As well as becoming a robber he became a murderer, thus, making him more known as a villain. Many people who knew Ned Kelly knew him as a hero but after firing the first shots and hitting a policeman in the wrist at the Inn as seen on page 95, hope for Ned’s fans began to decrease. Also, a sentence on page 50, “A second shot from Ned killed Scanlon.” Tells that Ned had killed Scanlon with no reason why. In addition, from the Jerilderie Letter the quote “I shot him in the armpit… I fired again with the gun as he slewed around to surrender.” written by Ned can be interpreted that Ned shot Sergeant Kennedy in an act of murderer as he tried to surrender. Therefore, with nearly every fight with Ned included, he was always the first to fire in no act of self-defence and has attempted to kill many innocent people and police officers. For this reason, there is proof provided by the book and the Jerilderie Letter that Ned is accused of being a villain.

In conclusion, there are many reasons why Ned Kelly is accused of being a villain. These include the fact that Ned had been a bank robber/thief and had always kept innocent people as prisoners before robbing any bank. Besides Ned had also been a murderer and had attempt to kill many guiltless people and officers. Ned Kelly was a larrikin and a criminal therefore he was punished for what he had done. Overall, he was a villain and an outlaw who was best known as the Australian bushranger wearing a suit of bulletproof armour during his final shootout with the police.