Why Did Dr. King Schultz Let Himself Be Shot After Killing Calvin Candie?

In Quentin Tarantino's film Django Unchained, Dr. King Schultz's decision to let himself be shot after killing Calvin Candie is a complex moment that reflects his characters principles and the film's themes.

Moral Stance

Dr. King Schultz is portrayed as a character with a strong moral compass. After killing Candie, he feels that he has crossed a line and that further violence would contradict his ideals. His action against Candie was a response to the extreme injustice and brutality he witnessed, but he seems to recognize that his pursuit of justice has now led to a point of no return. This moral stance is crucial to understanding his character and the film's broader thematic elements.

Emotional Impact

The moment is also emotionally charged. Scholar's act of killing Candie is not just a tactical move; it is also a personal response to the horrors of slavery that Candie embodies. After taking this life, Scholar may feel a sense of despair or futility about the violence in the situation, leading him to accept his fate.

Narrative Device

From a storytelling perspective, Scholarship's death serves to heighten the stakes for Django. It catalyzes Django's transformation and sets him on a path of vengeance. Scholar's sacrifice emphasizes the themes of sacrifice and the cost of fighting against oppression.

Pragmatic Realities

In the chaotic aftermath of the shooting, Scholar may have understood that he was outnumbered and that continuing to fight would likely result in his death anyway. By choosing to confront his fate, he perhaps hopes to inspire Django to continue the fight against slavery.

The Gun and Position of Dr. King Schultz

Some might argue that another gun would have changed the outcome. However, the reality of the situation suggests otherwise. The gun Scholar uses, as per IMFDB, is a Cobra Derringer, a small “lady gun” that needs to be shot at close range and has only one or a max two bullets. He used one on Candie, so best case scenario, he has only one left, and it is not cocked.

Besides the technical limitations of the gun, Schultz was already getting aimed at before fully turning to the gunman. This means he was not prepared to shoot in terms of both position and gun readiness. Rather than awkwardly trying to prepare a gun late to the party, he decided to give an explanation and a farewell to his friend Django, highlighting the depth of his humanity even in such a bleak moment.

Preparation and Context

It's worth noting that they didn't have their main guns with them. Django defended himself with a stolen gun, further emphasizing the spontaneity and the unpreparedness for such a lethal confrontation.

Overall, Scholar's decision is driven by a combination of moral conviction, emotional turmoil, narrative significance, and the harsh realities of their situation. This moment encapsulates not only the violence of the era but also the deep-seated moral and emotional conflicts that cannot be easily resolved.