The Three Sociopaths
Jeffrey Dahmer, Adolf Hitler, and the Joker. Even though one of the names stated above is fictional, they all have something in common. They suffer from a severe mental disorder with aggressive antisocial behavior and a lack of conscience. This is known as a sociopath. In the book The Dinner, the Lohman family (Paul, Claire, and Michel) are all sociopaths.
As stated above, the definition of a sociopath is “a person with aggressive antisocial behavior which is mainly characterized by lack of empathy towards other” (Marcia Purse). Also, they show displays of abnormal moral conduct and an inability to conform with the norms of society. “Sociopaths are often unable to control their own behaviors and their expressions of irritability, …show more content…
Other characteristics that sociopaths might display are lying, lack of remorse for others, stealing, and impulsive behavior” (Marcia Purse). Knowing the characteristics of a sociopath, it is easy to tell that Paul is one in a myriad of ways. From his extreme antisocial behavior, to lack of empathy, aggressive and impulsive reactions, to situations that don’t go his way, he fits the characteristics of a sociopath very strongly. The first example showing Paul’s sociopathism, is when Serge and his wife, Babette, arrive up at Paul's house unexpected. At this time, Claire is ill in the hospital and Paul and his son, Michel have been living alone for some time. When they get there, Babette tells Paul, “With Claire being operated on tomorrow and all, that it would be best for Michel to come …show more content…
How many fathers who humiliate their children? How many hopeless cases who go on complaining all their lives about the nonexistent injustices they’ve had to suffer?... Think about that one member of your own family, that irritating uncle with his pointless horse-shit stories at birthday parties, that ugly cousin who mistreats his cat. Think about how relieved you would be- and not only you, but virtually the entire family- if that uncle or cousin would step on a landmine or be hit by a five hundred- pounder dropped from a high altitude. (Koch
Jeffrey Dahmer, Adolf Hitler, and the Joker. Even though one of the names stated above is fictional, they all have something in common. They suffer from a severe mental disorder with aggressive antisocial behavior and a lack of conscience. This is known as a sociopath. In the book The Dinner, the Lohman family (Paul, Claire, and Michel) are all sociopaths.
As stated above, the definition of a sociopath is “a person with aggressive antisocial behavior which is mainly characterized by lack of empathy towards other” (Marcia Purse). Also, they show displays of abnormal moral conduct and an inability to conform with the norms of society. “Sociopaths are often unable to control their own behaviors and their expressions of irritability, …show more content…
Other characteristics that sociopaths might display are lying, lack of remorse for others, stealing, and impulsive behavior” (Marcia Purse). Knowing the characteristics of a sociopath, it is easy to tell that Paul is one in a myriad of ways. From his extreme antisocial behavior, to lack of empathy, aggressive and impulsive reactions, to situations that don’t go his way, he fits the characteristics of a sociopath very strongly. The first example showing Paul’s sociopathism, is when Serge and his wife, Babette, arrive up at Paul's house unexpected. At this time, Claire is ill in the hospital and Paul and his son, Michel have been living alone for some time. When they get there, Babette tells Paul, “With Claire being operated on tomorrow and all, that it would be best for Michel to come …show more content…
How many fathers who humiliate their children? How many hopeless cases who go on complaining all their lives about the nonexistent injustices they’ve had to suffer?... Think about that one member of your own family, that irritating uncle with his pointless horse-shit stories at birthday parties, that ugly cousin who mistreats his cat. Think about how relieved you would be- and not only you, but virtually the entire family- if that uncle or cousin would step on a landmine or be hit by a five hundred- pounder dropped from a high altitude. (Koch