The Devil's Teardrop Research Paper
Rules and guidelines are established within societies in order for them to function. Without this system, everyone would behave in any way they wanted, creating an undesirable environment. With the use of context and character symbolization in The Devil's Teardrop, Jeffrey Deaver illustrates the effect of deviance and crime on a society. He explains the importance of norms and rules established in society and shows the consequences if they are not followed. Another social issue toucheds in this novel is the effect of mentally ill individuals in a functioning society. The criminal behaviour of the two characters, Edward Fielding and Evan Hughe are solely blamed on their mental illnesses. The author shows that mental illness is a danger to society since these individuals cannot conform to these rules. By doing this, Jeffrey Deaver correlates mental illness with deviance and crime. The author has a functionalistic point of view in that he believes that it is more important focussing on the survival of society rather than on the individuals themselves.
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The key social issue outlined throughout the entire novel is the effect of deviance and crime on a society. Edward Fielding, one of the killers, wanted to prove to himself and to society that he did not have to conform to the rules and regulations that are established. "He spent hours wondering, should man put restraints on himself? Why shouldn't we go wherever our desires and minds take us?" (p. 382). With Fielding's desire to deviate from the norms, along with his mental illness, he and his partner commit mass murders starting at four pm and every four hours after that. Hughes, Fielding's partner in crime was aptly given the name "Digger" which not only meant gravedigger but also represented an organization in the past that was "mostly economic and social but allied with another group, which was political and more active - sometimes militant. They were called the "True Levelers." "These "Levelers" objected to the control of the people by an upper-class elite and by central government". The name was specifically chosen to oppose the ideas of rules and regulations, and the Digger was designed to bring chaos into society.
Deaver also shows the negative effects of deviance by the targets that the criminals have chosen. The killers target masses of people to demonstrate publicly that they do not have to conform to the laws and conventions of society. By the hysteria taking place during the repulsive mass murders, Deaver illustrates what happens when people do not follow rules. The killers also target areas where the rich frequently attend or areas relating to the government. The first target was the metro station at Dupont Circle where morst of the rich gathered. The next target was the Ritz Carleton, a very expensive hotel and the other, the "Black Wall", a Vietnam War memorial. The "Black Wall" was a target to show the criminals opinion about the government.
The fact that Fielding does not get away with "the most perfect crime," in the end shows that deviating from society from the author's point of view, can only end in demise (p.386).
The author also discusses the issues of mental illness and the effects of mentally ill people being apart of society. Both of the murderers, Fielding and Hughes have a mental illness. The fact that both individuals are creating this chaos in society indicates that mentally ill people are dangerous to society. Deaver gives Hughes an inhumane, monster-like quality with his "blank eyes" (p.72) and no emotions. He "recognizes a smile but doesn't know what it is exactly" (p. 123). The author is insinuating that since mentally ill individuals cannot tell the difference from right and wrong and are unable to follow the rules established in society, they will contribute nothing but conflict to it.
When illustrating the negative effects of deviance and crime in society, the author is successful. By showing the turmoil the citizens of Washington were in, Deaver effectively clarified that following the rules in society are important for it to function properly. Once people start deviating from the established system, it becomes impossible for members in society to live harmoniously.
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The key social issue outlined throughout the entire novel is the effect of deviance and crime on a society. Edward Fielding, one of the killers, wanted to prove to himself and to society that he did not have to conform to the rules and regulations that are established. "He spent hours wondering, should man put restraints on himself? Why shouldn't we go wherever our desires and minds take us?" (p. 382). With Fielding's desire to deviate from the norms, along with his mental illness, he and his partner commit mass murders starting at four pm and every four hours after that. Hughes, Fielding's partner in crime was aptly given the name "Digger" which not only meant gravedigger but also represented an organization in the past that was "mostly economic and social but allied with another group, which was political and more active - sometimes militant. They were called the "True Levelers." "These "Levelers" objected to the control of the people by an upper-class elite and by central government". The name was specifically chosen to oppose the ideas of rules and regulations, and the Digger was designed to bring chaos into society.
Deaver also shows the negative effects of deviance by the targets that the criminals have chosen. The killers target masses of people to demonstrate publicly that they do not have to conform to the laws and conventions of society. By the hysteria taking place during the repulsive mass murders, Deaver illustrates what happens when people do not follow rules. The killers also target areas where the rich frequently attend or areas relating to the government. The first target was the metro station at Dupont Circle where morst of the rich gathered. The next target was the Ritz Carleton, a very expensive hotel and the other, the "Black Wall", a Vietnam War memorial. The "Black Wall" was a target to show the criminals opinion about the government.
The fact that Fielding does not get away with "the most perfect crime," in the end shows that deviating from society from the author's point of view, can only end in demise (p.386).
The author also discusses the issues of mental illness and the effects of mentally ill people being apart of society. Both of the murderers, Fielding and Hughes have a mental illness. The fact that both individuals are creating this chaos in society indicates that mentally ill people are dangerous to society. Deaver gives Hughes an inhumane, monster-like quality with his "blank eyes" (p.72) and no emotions. He "recognizes a smile but doesn't know what it is exactly" (p. 123). The author is insinuating that since mentally ill individuals cannot tell the difference from right and wrong and are unable to follow the rules established in society, they will contribute nothing but conflict to it.
When illustrating the negative effects of deviance and crime in society, the author is successful. By showing the turmoil the citizens of Washington were in, Deaver effectively clarified that following the rules in society are important for it to function properly. Once people start deviating from the established system, it becomes impossible for members in society to live harmoniously.
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___________________________________________________________If you need a custom research paper, research proposal, essay, dissertation, thesis paper or term paper on your topic, EffectivePapers.com will write your research papers from scratch. Starting at $12/page you can order custom written papers online. We work with experienced PhD. and Master's freelance writers to help you with writing any academic papers in any subject! High quality and 100% non-plagiarized papers guaranteed!
