From The Murder and The Vigilante, by John Steinbeck, and Killings and Rose, by Andre Dubus, the theme of the individual vs. society is shown repeatedly. The common ground that is provided to us from these 4 different short stories by two separate authors, is that they all contain their view of society in the context of violence, justice, and the law.
In all 4 short stories, violence is essentially introduced as a kick starter for all the situations that are presented or it becomes the result of confrontation in these stories. In The Vigilante, by John Steinbeck, the protagonist Mike, is shown to have confrontation against a mob that has recently lynched an African-American. The victim was clubbed to death in jail, and then was taken to be hanged and lynched. Our protagonist …show more content…
The following day, Jim is confronted by the sheriff and the coroner and to his surprise, his murder charges are dropped. Once, the sheriff and the coroner leave, Jim began to beat his wife. Despite the beatings, his wife looks forward and pleased at receiving them and expects more in the future. This is another example of the individual vs. society in the context of violence. Similarly, to The Vigilante, violence is presented as a relatively common thing to their societies except for both protagonists, as individuals contain evident dislike of violence. Jim is presented early on, during his wedding night, from his father in law, that he should regularly beat his own daughter. Just like Mike, Jim is shown to have a dislike in violence and thinks it’s wrong. Albeit, after the murder of Jelka’s cousin, the casual dismissal from the Sheriff and the coroner, and finally partaking in beating his wife, whom enjoyed it and expects more, he essentially realizes that he as an individual cannot change the mind of society despite how wrong it may appear to him. In Killings, by Andre Dubus, the story begins with a current couple Frank and Mary.
In all 4 short stories, violence is essentially introduced as a kick starter for all the situations that are presented or it becomes the result of confrontation in these stories. In The Vigilante, by John Steinbeck, the protagonist Mike, is shown to have confrontation against a mob that has recently lynched an African-American. The victim was clubbed to death in jail, and then was taken to be hanged and lynched. Our protagonist …show more content…
The following day, Jim is confronted by the sheriff and the coroner and to his surprise, his murder charges are dropped. Once, the sheriff and the coroner leave, Jim began to beat his wife. Despite the beatings, his wife looks forward and pleased at receiving them and expects more in the future. This is another example of the individual vs. society in the context of violence. Similarly, to The Vigilante, violence is presented as a relatively common thing to their societies except for both protagonists, as individuals contain evident dislike of violence. Jim is presented early on, during his wedding night, from his father in law, that he should regularly beat his own daughter. Just like Mike, Jim is shown to have a dislike in violence and thinks it’s wrong. Albeit, after the murder of Jelka’s cousin, the casual dismissal from the Sheriff and the coroner, and finally partaking in beating his wife, whom enjoyed it and expects more, he essentially realizes that he as an individual cannot change the mind of society despite how wrong it may appear to him. In Killings, by Andre Dubus, the story begins with a current couple Frank and Mary.