...Killings Analysis Style and Technique “Killings,” one of Dubus’s best-known and most respected stories, was the basis for the film In the Bedroom (2001). Although the story revolves around passion and violence, Dubus tells the tale in a flat, calm way. The first two acts of violence are dropped into the story unexpectedly and without emotion. The story opens with Frank’s funeral, then moves on to the conversation between Willis and Matt about how Matt wishes he could kill the man who murdered his son, but the reader does not know who killed Frank, how, or why. Next, in a long descriptive paragraph, Richard is introduced. He is first connected to Frank by the flat opening line of the next paragraph: “One night he beat Frank.” Only then does the reader learn about Mary Ann, and Matt’s and Ruth’s differing feelings about her. In a lovely, lyrical scene, Mary Ann joins the Fowlers for a barbeque after a day at the beach. Matt’s love for his son is mixed with a wistful attraction to Mary Ann. She is beautiful, but Matt sees in her eyes a sadness and pain that he and his family have been spared, and he wishes he could help and comfort her. The next paragraph starts with, “Richard Strout shot Frank in front of the children.” Such jarring shifts of mood are used to emphasize how quickly life can turn from sunny to violent and how swiftly the good things in life can be taken away. The story’s point of view is that of the limited omniscient narrator. The reader sees the events through...
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...Theme of Revenge in Homer's Odyssey Homer’s The Odyssey is not just a tale of a man’s struggle on his journey home from the Trojan War, but of his struggle from the consequences of revenge. The Odyssey weaves in different characters’ tales of revenge from the gods and what impact revenge actually had on those characters. Revenge is an important underlying theme in The Odyssey because, in essence, it explains why Odysseus’ journey was so prolonged and treacherous. A few examples of revenge in the poem include Orestes’ revenge on Aegisthus, Zeus’ revenge on Odysseus and his men, and Poseidon’s revenge on Odysseus. These different examples of revenge in The Odyssey show the importance of the gods’ revenge in the epic journey of Odysseus. Orestes’ revenge is the first important example of the gods’ revenge in the poem. In Book 1, Hermes told Aegisthus, “’Don’t murder the man,’ he said, ‘don’t court his wife. Beware, revenge will come from Orestes…” (Homer 260). King Nestor delivers the story of Orestes’ revenge to Odysseus’ son Telemachus, while Telemachus is visiting Nestor to discover answers about his fathers’... The Character Medea's Revenge in Euripides' Medea Medea is a tragedy of a woman who feels that her husband has betrayed her with another woman and the jealousy that consumes her. She is the protagonist who arouses sympathy and admiration because of how her desperate situation is. I thought I was going to feel sorry for Medea, but that quickly changed as soon...
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...Analysis and interpretation of “Stolpestad” By Jeppe Bender Lassen In "Stolpestad" from 2008 the author, William Lychack, deals with life in the postmodern society through his main character Stolpestad. A middle-aged police officer not able to settle in the chaotic and confusing postmodern world. What starts out as a routine task of putting down a wounded dog ends up becoming a journey for spiritual awakening, as Stolpestad comes to some life-changing realizations. The story is set in a dull and gloomy town in which Stolpestad grew up and has inhabited ever since. The narrator provides several signs that the town is a place almost completely desolated from excitement. This is for example evident in lines 3-4: “…like a clock ticking all these bored little pent-up streets and mills and tenements away.” Life of the town is decaying. Nothing seems to be done to prevent this from happening. As goes for the case of Stolpestad’s life. Stolpestad leads a quiet and trivial life as a police officer – a job in which the main constituents of a daily schedule are insignificant routine tasks. To fill out the remaining parts of his life he hangs out at bars finding comfort for the lack of substance in his life at the bottom of endless pints of beer. One might almost describe Stolpestad’s trivial life as a never-ending déjà vu, where the days are just passing by indifferently. When Stolpestad is called out to the boy with the injured dog however, he suddenly gets an opportunity of moving...
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...Essay on Killings by Andre Dubus The story “Killings” by Andre Dubus highlights the themes of love and revenge. It is a story about the crime committed by the two characters in the story – Richard Strout and Matt Fowler and its consequences. Both committed the crime of murder. The characters, however, had a different motive for committing the crime. In the end, both crimes resulted in a tragedy for the two characters. In this story, Matt Fowler was described as a loving father to his children. He was also a protective father to all his children. He was described as a father who was fearful every time his children go out to swim in the pond or the sea, or when his children attempt to climb the oak in their backyard or when they skate in the ice during the winter season. He was also described as a good husband to his wife. When his wife was worried about their son’s relationship with a married woman he was quick to reassure her that every thing will be alright. He was also described to be a good friend to Willis. His love for his children drove Matt to take revenge against Richard Strout who was the person responsible for killing Frank Fowler. Matt Fowler was devastated when he lost his beloved son. Ever since the killing happened there was not a single day that passed that Matt did not think about taking revenge against Richard Strout. As Andre Dubus wrote, “And beneath his listless wandering, every day in his soul he shot Richard Strout in the face.” He wanted revenge...
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...To Kill or Not to Kill, That is the Question Murderers, killers: A person who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being. When I hear these words, I think to myself, how could a human being just go out and kill another human being? A killer has to be someone who has something going on up in his or her head to make them crazy enough to murder someone. How could a person be that mad enough to even get the motivation to kill another person? Could an individual that has murdered someone not really be considered a killer, but rather the victim? In the story Killings, written by Andre Dubus, and the story A Rose for Emily, written by William Faulkner, I learned that both main characters have a motivation for murder in which they both fulfill in doing. However, after understanding these characters reasons for murder, I do not know if I can really say that they are considered murderers. In Andre Dubus’s, Killings, Matt Fowler’s youngest son, Frank, was shot and killed by Richard Strout. Frank was dating Strout’s soon to be ex-wife, Mary Ann. Strout was not happy about this so he shot and killed Frank right in front of Mary Ann and their two sons. Since Strout shot Matt’s son Frank, Matt then shoots Strout. After understanding the situation as of why Matt shot Strout, one might think that Matt shot Strout simply because Strout killed his son. However, this was not Matt’s only motivation for murder. Matt not only has to deal with his guilt over his son’s death...
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...Written in 1916 by Susan Glaspell, Trifles is a one-act play of a murder investigation of a farmer named John Wright. In the kitchen of the Mr. and Mrs. Wright, to help in the investigation Sheriff Henry Peters and his wife are being accompanied by Lewis Hale and his wife. Also in attendance is the county attorney Mr. George Henderson. Within this story, during his sleep, Farmer John Wright was killed having a rope tied around his neck. Now the murder suspect is not unknown in fact it was Minnie, Mr. Wright’s wife who committed the murder. Martha Hale as previously said is the wife of farmer Lewis Hale. Mrs. Hale is a type of woman that absolutely resents the stereotypical view of women that most men had in these times in society. At the first sign of Mrs. Hale’s dialogue in the story she is already somewhat combatant when defending her fellow women stating “There’s a great deal of work to be done on a farm”, “Those towels get dirty awful quick. Men’s hands aren’t as clean as they might be” (Glaspell. Speech 32 & 34). This moment in the play is part of a small exchange between Martha and the attorney. Towards the end of the play, Martha Hale begins to become sympathetic towards Mrs. Wright. Although all evidence points to Mrs. Wright being the killer, Mrs. Hale remembers Minnie Wright as a sweet, lovely and cheerful girl, “She-come to think of it, she kind of like a bird herself-real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and-fluttery. How-she-did-change.” (Glaspell. Speech...
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...vaulting ambition”(1.7). This shows that the only thing that is influencing Macbeth’s actions is his ambition; however, having ambition as his only drive results in him being unaware of the damage he is causing in the world around him. Macbeth’s ambition makes him see anyone who could put his position of power at risk as a threat, one of these threatening figures being Macduff. Macbeth knows that Macduff’s loyalties don't lie with him, so he decides to “kill his wife, his babes and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line” (4.1). Macbeth wants Macduff’s family dead because Macduff’s children are heirs to the throne; therefore, they are threats who could potentially overthrow him, so killing them only further secured his position. Unfortunately, Macbeth’s malfeasance, the killing of Macduff’s family, resulted in him acquiring an enormous target on his back, specifically from Macduff. Infused with anger, Macduff murders Macbeth, thus ending his iniquitous reign. Macbeth’s death is directly correlated with his ambition, for it was his ambition that led him to infuriate Macduff enough to murder him. Much like Frankenstein, Macbeth’s ambitious actions were what caused his downfall. The differences in the play, Macbeth, and the novel, Frankenstein, are rooted in what drives the title character’s ambition, Frankenstein being motivated by knowledge and Macbeth by power. Throughout his whole life, Frankenstein has had a staunch feeling that he “was capable of a more intense application...
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...What way does Golding present the boys build up to savagery? The main build up to savagery in the book could be the choir. The choir began as boys who accept the discipline of a choir school and acknowledge Jack's position as head choir boy, The boys become hunters, when Jack forces this role upon them. Then, as Jack releases his savage instincts by creating his mask, they become savages. They used to wear identical cloaks and caps, a uniform designed to promote their group identity and hide individuality to make them all the same apart from Jack who was shown to be the 'Leader'. Jack orders the choir to 'take off' their 'togs' this symbolises the stripping away of civilisation. Now their identities are hidden by masks and paint, and they turn into a tribe of savage killers, living in fear of their cruel chief. Earlier into the book when they build shelter on the beach Jack description of a hunter makes him seems like an animal himself. We see him crouching, 'dog-like', and sniffing the air, 'like a sprinter, his nose only a few inches from the humid earth'. He's almost naked, apart from his 'tattered shorts' and he carries a 'sharpened stick' which he uses as a spear. Every time they kill they take a step further down the road to savagery. In the next chapter 'Painted Faces and Long Hair' Jack paints his face with clay and charcoal for camouflage when hunting, but the mask he creates has a powerful psychological effect as well. The sight of his mask...
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...“The Killing of Laura” In “The Killing of Laura” Carolyn Weaver asserts that in Laura’s romance relationship with John O’Neil, Johns will is what killed Laura and defeated her will of power. In this case of murder there were two factors that led to Laura’s death, cultural and personal. Traditional male socialization provoked the killing and Laura’s attitude and insecurity towards life made her an easy target. Social attitudes facilitate domestic violence. On the twenty-fourth day of October, 1977 Laura Ellen Weaver was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, John Oneil. Laura was dressed in her pajamas, in her parents’ kitchen, sitting at the table trying to sort out the details of her numerous attempts to end her relationshoip with John, her past lover and aggressor for the past year. Her previous attempts were unsuccessful. Laura had informed her friend the day before that she was bad at confrontation, and so this is why she was in such a predicament. Her contemplation was inteerupted by a tap to the window caused by John. She opened the door to talk to him; having broken up with the man, she still cared for him as a friend. Laura had no notion that hidden in John’s jacket pocket was a knife he had taken from his home. Laura’s father went downsatirs to turn off the kitchen light, unaware anyone in his home was awake. He stumbbled upon John and Laura’s conversation. He told John to go home and talk to Laura tomorrow, for it was far too late in the day. Her father returned upstairs...
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...notion that he is a creature of that extent. Within the text, he is described as a demon or fiend. His physical appearance as well as actions may seem to justify his monstrosity, but it is due to the other factors such as the narrator and the two monsters that justify his connection with evil. Grendel is made evil when the narrator brings about his origin and connection with a Biblical figure, Cain. “Grendel this monster grim was called, march-riever mighty, in moorland living, in fen and fastness; fief of the giants the hapless wight a while had kept since the Creator his exile doomed. On kin of Cain was the killing avenged by Sovran God for slaughtered Abel…” Cain was punished by God because of this evil he commits, and having connected with Cain creates an evil aura around Grendel regardless of whether he could possibly be misunderstood. Adding to that, his killings do not help him. He is depicted as a monster. Shortly after Beowulf’s victory against Grendel, comes his mother. Just as Beowulf kills Grendel as an act of vengeance, Grendel’s mother comes to repay back the favor. Unlike Grendel, his mother has a reason to attack the people: Revenge. The same type of revenge Beowulf wanted against Grendel. Because she has this connection, she seems to be more human-like and less of a monster due to her reasoning capabilities. While Grendel is seen as a monstrous evil that was detrimental to the Danish society. The third creature Beowulf encounters happens to be his last....
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...HONOUR KILLING: MURDER IN THE NAME OF HONOUR CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Honour killing is a deep rooted brutal and burning human rights issue in India and other countries. Women particularly are the victims of the gross violation. They exist all over the world but no religion stipulates them. Outdated traditions and alleged honour violating behaviour are the motive for these crimes. The victims are almost always female. Young, unmarried women can "dishonour" their families easily. Every year hundreds of women are killed in India in the name of honour and many cases go unreported and almost all of them go unpunished. The criminal justice system is unable to combat it though it is claimed that the criminal justice system is the most legitimate institution to control this practice in the country. Honour is the most precious moral attribute of mankind. It is deeply ingrained in its nature. Defence of honour even at the cost of life has been prevalent in human beings since ages. It is a commonwealth of close blood relatives. Defilement of honour is taken as the most atrocious social crime and its redemption becomes a joint and sacred duty of close-knit people. Debased groups have a soft approach towards transgression of honour. The sentimental chord dormant in them may react at times; its degree may vary from group to group. Tradition-bound rural societies invariably react violently for the redemption of their honour. To them honour is dearer than life. Honour killings...
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...Ramiro Bautista Professor Jeff Cupp English 101 10 June 2015 “Killings", involves several aspects such as revenge, morality, and murder. Elements, such as the story’s title, the order of events, and the development of the characters, are very unique. "The Killings" provides a somewhat conventional plot pattern, where the character is confronted with a problem and is then led into a climax, which late leads to the resolution of the story. The plot in The Killings also includes usage of flashback as a tool for the audience to fully understand the backgrounds of the characters. The story discusses the ramifications of the original murder, the subsequent actions of “justice,” and finally what is left when it is all said and done. “On the august morning when Matt Fowler buried his youngest son, Frank” (Dubus 112), there is where the story of a crime of passion begins, frank was only twenty-one years old and fell in love with an older women with two children "Mary Ann", who after a month of separation from her ex-partner begins a new relationship with Frank. One day “Richard Strout (Mary Ann ex-partner) shot Frank in front of the boys. They were sitting on the living room floor watching television, Frank sitting on the couch, and Mary Ann just returning from the kitchen with a tray of sandwiches. Strout came in the front door and shot Frank twice in the chest and once in the face with a 9 mm. automatic. Then he looked at the boys and Mary Ann, and went home to wait for the...
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...Throughout history the practice of senseless killing has been a part of human nature since the beginning of time. This killing is often “justified” as necessary to have peace and is called war. War has always been a part of time and seen as morally justifiable for the correct reasons but this is simply not true because war is completely irrational, does not accomplish anything and a long forgone dated practice. War has been a common practice of killing to accomplish a task such as peace but this practice is irrational. As James Boswell states in On War “It is as if two towns in opposite territories should be set on fire at the same time, and the victory should be declared to the inhabitants of that in which the flames were least destructive”. Boswell uses this simile to compare war to burning towns to show that the practice of murder and destruction of fellow humans is irrational. This simile shows that conflict should not be solved by senseless killing which leaves both parties at...
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...completing the Project. We would like to express our gratitude towards our parents for their kind co-operation and encouragement which helped us in completing this project. Our thanks and appreciation also goes to my friends in developing the project and people who have willingly helped us out with their abilities. TABLE OF CONTENT SERIAL NO. | PARTICULARS | PAGE NO. | 1. | INTRODUCTION | 3 | 2. | HONOUR KILLING IN INDIA | 5 | 3. | IN LEGAL CODE AND AS CULTURAL PRACTISE | 6 | 4. | CAUSES | 9 | 5. | EFFECTS | 11 | 6. | HONOUR RELATED VIOLENCE | 13 | 7. | CASE STUDY | 14 | 8. | WARNING SIGNS | 17 | 9. | SUPPORT AND PROTECTION | 18 | 10. | INHIBITING FACTORS | 20 | 11. | GUIDELINES FOR SUPPORT | 21 | 12. | PUBLIC FUNDS | 22 | 13. | RECOMMENDATIONS | 23 | 14. | CONCLUSION | 24 | 15. | BIBLOGRAPHY | 26 | INTRODUCTION An honor killing or honour killing is the killing of a member of a family or social group by other members, due to the belief of the perpetrators that the victim has brought dishonor upon the family or community. Honor killings are directed mostly against women and girls, but have been extended to men. The perceived dishonor is normally the result of one of the following behaviors, or the suspicion of such behaviors: dressing in a manner unacceptable to the family or community,...
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...real name) went into hiding. Her Sikh family tracked her down and kidnapped her, forcing her to call the police when they got her home to say that it was all a mistake. (Langdon-Down) In the story above, the group against forced marriages informed the police that something might happen to Ranjit. The police then went to her house and saved her from being a victim of a possible honour killing. Although, Ranjit was saved from an honour killing, there are other women and girls that are being killed in the name of “honour”. This is a very important issue that should be addressed now because if we do not, ‘honour killings’ will be considered acceptable as the years go by. Although honour killings are considered a traditional or cultural practice, it is a crime and the perpetrator(s) should be punished. “An honour crime can be defined as any act of violence and abuse, actual or threatened, perpetrated against individuals, mainly women, by male members of the family and community in defense of their honour” (Welchman and Hossain 210). Families and communities commit honour killings because they assumed their relative or member of the community was being defiant or was not abiding by the rules. Regardless of whether or not the accusations are right or wrong, they kill them for their dishonorable actions. The perpetrator(s) shows no form of guilt because they do not think they have done anything wrong and see themselves as the victim because there public image is...
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