“Code Breaker” by Jim Holt is about the life of Alan Turing, a true genius making an impact on society yet ridiculed because he was homosexual before his death. Jim Holt writes in a respectful way of Alan’s incredible achievements of break through technology that led to saving many human beings lives. Alan “broke the German Enigma code during the Second World War, an achievement that helped save Britain from defeat in the dark days of 1941” (Holt, 337). Jim wants the reader to know as much as possible about Alan, so that one can make their own conclusions on the reasons of his unexpected death. The author shares pieces of important information gradually through his writing that possibly adds to the readers answer of why at the young age of forty-one was he found dead.
The time era Alan lived, was not an open society towards race, sexuality, and gender equality. He had struggled for years emotionally with a secret that would be frowned upon by coworkers, friends and family. “Two years before his death, he was convicted of “gross indecency” for having a homosexual affair” (Holt, 337). The final ending paragraph creates a mystery to the reader because there is no conclusion on if Alan Turing lost his life due to homicide or suicide. Although he did not get the proper recognition when he was alive, “he invented, as a by-product of his advance in logic, was the store-program computer” (Holt, 340). I am glad Alan is receiving the acknowledgment, but I am wondering how much further he could have gone in his life. Even though he had many downfalls he clearly still had a future ahead of him, and possibly could have added more world advancements. Do you think Alan Turing’s death was a homicide or suicide?
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