Social outcasts are the greatest tool a writer can use to convey their message. When we read something, we want to hear the things we all think, but are scared to say. The best books I have ever written have been about taboo subjects and often controversial topics. Rant by Chuck Palahniuk is about a serial killer but is written in the perspective of the people who knew him best. The most intriguing parts of the book were when characters talked about his ex habits, his inner thoughts, and the way he behaved with others. What makes these interesting is how the author makes the killer seem eerily similar to the reader. The idea that we may be able to identify in some part with a psychotic killer makes the reader reexamine themselves.Coincidentally, one of the topics I put up to be voted on my paper in class was about serial killers, and it received an almost unanimous vote. This made me think that maybe people want to read on these subjects. Maybe people want to relate to these outcasts of socially acceptable behavior. I think this is because these outcasts are able to say and do things without fear of guilt. They sling slurs at those they hate, and attack those who wrong them. I think we all identify slightly with their anger, and we can all feel alienated from the world at times. I believe we long for their freedom, but without the cost of our sanity. It is a fine line to walk, and there are few who have the privilege to meander across it without fear of retaliation.
The point I'm trying to make is that a writer can use these outcasts to make wild, but possible true, accusations without fear of being scrutinized. The killer in Rant hated the suppressive control of the government, so he targeted people who represent this repression. The author was trying to make a point about these types of government, but needed the help of the killer to make it pungent. He also couldnt just come out and say he hated it, because he may be scrutinized for his views. By putting his views into the mind of someone who says and does things with out fear of retaliation, he allows his true opinions to be heard. (Keep in mind the fact that he does a fantastic job of making the killer relatable.)
Using the social outcast as a tool is something every writer can make use of in a creative piece. If you want proof, look fr yourself-- some of the most powerful and thought-provoking pieces of prose are made so by the use of someone who is alienated by the world, but yet can still be related to by the reader.
I think people that had struggle in their lives makes it a relatable story. I voted for the serial killers because of that. I find stories similar to these to be very relatable. I can understand what the characters in the story are going through. Especially when I read Black Boy, I could immediately understand the struggle he went through because of what I know from past experiences. It's an interesting topic. I hope you do well with it.
ReplyDeleteThat’s an awesome point! And let’s be honest, who wants to read a story about your standard person? “Not I,” said Connor. Stories about these ‘outcasts’ keep things fresh and interesting. Instead of just hearing the same old stuff you get to hear something different; something random and unexpected. But as you said something that you can relate too just enough to keep you interested. You can’t just write about a maniac going on a killing rampage. Nobody will read this story because they can’t relate. They need to make the character have some socially acceptable aspects. Then not only can the reader relate themselves to the killer, but they also begin to question those around them.
ReplyDeleteI just want to start off by saying I love the way you write, Ryan lol. But to the point, I think you should definitely write your paper on serial killers. These psychotic humans are debated to even have a conscious, which is really fascinating. Could you imagine doing something without ever having to think about the repercussions? I see your point how writers can use these "freaks" as a way to portray their opinions without looking freakish themselves. Although that can be debatable, judging on how MUCH they relate to the serial killers lol. If they continuously match similarities up with the psychotic behavior, then they too might have the tendency to slaughter people out of anger.
ReplyDeleteThis post was pretty awesome! I voted for you to write about the serial killers because i think it could definitively make a very interesting paper. Everyone can relate to serial killers (even if its in the smallest way) lol. Its amazing how an author can express his views thought a less socially acceptable character! Your post made me want to read this book, i think i might just do so when i have time.
ReplyDeleteThis reminded me a lot about the movie law abiding citizen. The guys whole family is killed and the murderer walks away free. He is so angry with the government for letting this happen that he decides to not only kill the murderer but to destroy the government. It's a really good movie for those who haven't seen it. He kills so many people but you can still relate to him. His entire family was killed and the government did absolutely nothing. I think our government is really corrupt. I can understand how he was so angry because after his whole family died he did not even have the satisfaction of the killer being put in jail.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I love the photo. And I agree that some of the best books are those that tap into our innermost workings. They would not be good otherwise. No one wants to read about someone who does not relate to you in anyway. And while we may think that a social outcast is nothing like us, we most likely share qualities with them. Even if we do not like to admit it. Using a serial killer as the outcast is great because they were likely not an outcast before. The book sounds really interesting, i hope to read it some time.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great point!!!!!!! Books on serial killers always fascinate me. I have no idea why but it is so interesting to me. I’m so curious as to what goes on in their minds and what things led them up to mass murder. It really creepy when you see those signs in some of your friends. I think the whole social outcast thing is awesome. They have lots of time on there hands to think about things. Social outcasts also have a different look in the world. They see it in a very negative way most of the time. Which is why I think they have so many opinions. They just observe life around them and that what their memories are made of. Its kind of creepy knowing what goes on in a serial killers mind though. I wish you could just interview them and they had to be 100% honest.
ReplyDeleteI really know exactly what your talking about! It's why we love movies and books like "Fight Club"! I just saw "American Psycho" this weekend, and it relates to this blog so well! The movie is about a wealthy entrepreneur played by Christian Bale who seems to be completely normal, but as the movie goes on, he is anything but normal. He murders hundreds of people in a variety of ways. He knows he is insane, but when he cries out for help nobody is there to help him. We like movies like this because we all have similar feelings. While we (hopefully) don't kill hundreds of people, we still feel like we need help, and we don't always think we are being heard. It's the ability to make an unrelatable story relatable that draws us in.
ReplyDeleteI thought that topic would make a super interesting paper! I want to be in your workshop group to read and learn all about it. I guess to me it is interesting because it is exciting to understand something we do not understand, if that makes sense. I do not understand how an ordinary person who grew up in a loving family can turn into a psycho killer but that is what makes learning about it all the more interesting!
ReplyDeleteWow this is really interesting. I voted for the serial killer because I thought it would make an intriguing paper. I definitely understand where you come from when you say that writers use social outcasts to convey an idea. I also think that we as readers also relate to the social outcasts because we all have felt like underdogs. We all had the moments or times in our lives when we felt that we could not fit in with everybody else. I believe that's why authors tend to use outsiders or social outcasts in their writing.
ReplyDeleteRelating people to a serial killer definitely will get them thinking about themselves and the way they act. Most serial killers are mentally unstable when they are provoked in a certain way, but at the same time some of them can function just find in society when they are not gong provoked. Yes i agree that the vast majority of people wont say what they want to because then they might feel like they stepped over the line, but if it is what you actually believe and feel is morally right in your eyes then don't hold back. All of my best friends and anyone who spends enough time around me knows that i am not scared to voice my opinion and make my opinion known just because i am a strong believer in the right to having and opinion and being able to state it etc etc. I will tell you that i picked your serial killer topic because i think it is very interesting to see where criminals slip up. Especially serial killers that kill for a long time because what caused them to get caught after so many years of slipping through the cracks and being so good at it. I definitely agree that a writer can use an outcast in a story and keep the story going just because like you said again most people like talking shit about outcasts or thinking it anyways, they just don't have the balls to voice their opinion.
ReplyDeleteThis makes so much sense! I always lean towards books that I think no one else would dare to pick up because they are so out there. I think everyone can relate to a serial killer which is strange to say. We all have been an outsider at least one point in our lives. So if someone reading a book about a serial killer says they can't relate, well then that is a lie. We might not have committed murder but the thought has crossed our minds at some point. The author conveys these feelings through the character in the book. I like how writers write about things that the rest of us are afraid to admit outloud.
ReplyDeleteI like what you had to say! I think this is one of the most interesting blog posts we've had. I think it takes a very skilled writer to do what you are saying but I do agree. I think the audience needs to be able to relate to the character. That way everyone can put themselves in the characters place and visualize what would happen. I like the part where you say we have repressed anger and we are sane so we don't act upon it. I think this is very true. We could be just as bad a a serial killer but most people have a conscience and it holds us back from doing wrong.
ReplyDeleteSerial Killers! Yes I thought it was a great topic even though it is such a negative thing. Social outcasts is an important tool for writing. I want to read and learn more about that subject because it is so different from the norm and what i am used to. I'm not a serial killer so i don't know a lot about them. This is one reason i love Eminem so much. He is/was insane! He talked about wanting to kill his wife and his story. This way of writing was key to grabbing so many people's attention. I can relate to him. I won't kill anyone and he never did. But sometimes i can relate to how he feels.
ReplyDeleteThe book itself sounds very interesting. And as for your topic, I felt it was a fantastic, easily researchable topic that would yield a great paper. I agree with you about authors using alienation and social taboos to convey their opinion on controversial issues. It creates som of the strongest writing, especially because it really draws the interest to the readers.
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point! I am too, also intrigued by the mind of a serial killer. Last year in my english class, my teacher made us read the book "Columbine" and it got into the minds of the two teenage killers. It kind of scared me a little because it got me thinking how they thought. It was scary because since they were the same age as I was at the time I read the book, I could relate to some of the things they did. They were perfectly normal teenagers except they killed almost a whole school.Reading about them however was one of the most interesting things I've read in a while! I think writing about them would be a great story and would keep the reader interested. I voted for that idea!
ReplyDeleteI would actually love to read that book. It sounds so interesting. And I love this blog. Everything in it is so true! I believe that a writing is at its best when it can get you to think about your life in a different way. I know that I have personally read many books that have made me do that. Everyone needs to see things from a different perspective, even serial killers. Even though we are all different, we are all still similar in some ways. And I love it when a book can make us realize that.
ReplyDeleteI think that crazy people are the people that do and say exactly what they feel without a filter. Most of us think about what is socially acceptable before we act. No one wants to be exiled. Crazy people must not have a fear of being excluded. Serial killers on the other hand are a whole different kind of crazy.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting point. Social outcasts in stories can help the reader relate and feel where the reader is coming from. Serial killers do make for an interesting prompt as well. Going in to the minds and behavior on how they think gives the story that much more depth. The author can allow the reader to go in to the mind of a serial killer which allows the reader to relate and see what actually goes on in such a sophisticated mind.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I do think that a lot of people think the stories from different and dangerous points of view are entertaining and interesting to read about and step in their shoes. Like in the story we read in "Just walk on by," we saw from the man's point of view how he felt and how he saw people fact to his appearance and actions. If the story was told from a pedestrians point of view we would be scared of him as well, but since we saw that he is just an innocent man walking down the road, we might feel a little bad for the looks people caregiving him. He has learned to cope with how people treat him as well. "Crazy people" might come to be interesting and nice people. We don't know why they act the way they do. Maybe they were born into a violent family, born with a problem, or went through a tragic experience that made them the way they are. When we read books from their point of view, we come to relate to them sometimes when we least expect it.
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