Journal Article Review
HUMN240: Pop Culture
Franklin University
Professor McCown
June 17, 2015
Article
The new American hero: Dexter, serial killer for the masses by Ashley M. Donnelly.
Background about Dexter
Dexter is a serial killer, who is a blood spatter analyst at the Miami Police Department. He was forced to watch the brutal murder of his mother as a toddler, prior to being adopted by a policeman. His adoptive father identified Dexter’s predilections for killing at an early age and established a code for Dexter to follow. “For example, child molestation and the murder of the innocent are Unacceptable, [however] the torture, murder, and dismemberment of their perpetrator is Acceptable. The murder of prostitutes is Unacceptable, but the murder of their murderer is Acceptable” (Donnelly, 2012, p. 23). Analysis
This article is not written for the lay public, but rather for the academic side of popular culture. The author gives an in-depth comparison between the character Dexter and the characters in classic Gothic literature, the mythology of the American Adam, and John McNaughton’s Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, just to name a few. She also examines the political and global climates at the time of these literary works, focusing primarily on the time frame 1970’s-present. Donnelly believes that the serial killer, in horror films and novels, “used this new human monster figure as a way of expressing the fears of Americans who could not identify their source of anxiety” (p. 19) after the 1970’s oil crisis, recession, and impending nuclear war had resolved.
This article contains a lot of comparisons, which was a bit difficult keep all of them straight. However, the content was well written and flowed logically from point to point. The main point the author is trying to convey, is the popular television shows, movies, and books we choose to watch and read are a way for us to reinforce the line between us/the Others and right/wrong. Popular culture seeks explanations of why the Other behaved wrongly to further highlight the differences between us and them and reassure our selves in our normalcy. Dexter has a clear set of guidelines he follows and although his actual deeds are heinous, in a lot ways they are righteous and just.
The author notices the reason society has become enamored with Dexter, and characters like him, is that we are forced to see ourselves in them. These characters are not inherently evil, but a flawed human being who commits occasional offenses. Even though Dexter’s ‘occasional offenses’ are murders; the audience still find him loveable. Donnelly (2012) believes the Dexter character reinforces conservative moral ideals; providing a clear demarcation between good and evil. According to Donnelly (2012), our love for the deviant Other can only last as long as he kills those that do not resemble ‘us’ – “(Dexter) He’s clearly Other…He threats those that ‘deserve’ it and poses no threat to those of us who are ‘normal’.” (p. 25).
I do agree with the author’s view of our society constantly trying to differentiate ourselves from those who we view as abnormal or immoral. We all want to appear ‘normal’ to those around us – there by insuring that we are able to hold down a job, have friendships, and make a comfortable live for ourselves. I believe this article provides an important viewpoint not typically considered by most. It illustrates how even the smallest action, such as watching a television show, can influence or reinforce our beliefs.
Interesting article, Ashley. I never thought of moral codes being associated with immoral acts. But, I can see where most of us would have to have some way to justify our “abnormal” behavior. It’s easy to like Dexter; he does in essence display characteristics of a hero by defending innocent people and inflicting justice on others who prey on the innocents. I am a little confused as to Donnelly believing that the serial killer in horror films and novels is an expression of expressing fears that cause Americans anxiety. Does this mean the writers are expressing their fears through these monstrous characters, or does it mean that the writers are offering this character to the public who has the fears as a way for them to come to terms with them? Either way, I suppose it does make sense and is way more entertaining to produce a film or publish a book based on some fictional character rather than book after book on crisis in America. Interesting how, on a subconscious level, we are so easily influenced. It would do us all good to be more mindful about what we let our eyes see and read. Great analysis, I enjoyed reading it.
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