ipl-logo

How Is Blood Meridian Still Relevant In Today's Society

2267 Words10 Pages

The novel Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy expresses the predominant theme, showing that humans have always been drawn to violence and violence is a part of human nature. The judge is a key character that contributes to the development of the plot as his nature and mentality are violent and bloodthirsty. The theme of violence is still relevant in today's society, whether it be through social media or gun violence. Many of the concepts discussed in Blood Meridian are still relevant in today's society, The kid exemplifies the part of society that has become desensitized to violence and less respected for not partaking in the cruelty our society has to offer and many can relate to him. As The Kid travels along the American Midwest, the reader …show more content…

The novel’s vivid imagery immerses the reader in scenes of violence, while the landscape mirrors the destructive path the gang experiences. In addition, one may think the “landscape is his real protagonist, looming over the kid's story like some perverse deity or idiot narrator, turning horrible and benign in dark mimicry of the trail of destruction that the kid and his companions ride” the way the novel depicts the scenery and how it changes draws parallels to the violence the gang commits (Moran). The novel’s vivid imagery immerses readers in scenes of brutality, as they “rode on and the sun in the east flushed pale streaks of light and then a deeper run of color like blood seeping up in sudden reaches flaring planewise and where the earth drained up into the sky at the edge of creation the top of the sun” depiction underscores the relevance of violence as a theme (McCarthy …show more content…

In conclusion, Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy portrays the American South frontier, where violence was routine. The Judge, being a key character in developing the plot, is described as a ruthless figure who embraces cruelty and is an embodiment of this violence. Although The Judge is a fictional character, he symbolizes the violence within today's society. McCarthy confronts the reader with a perverted reality in the American South frontier, a reality that tends to make the reader feel uncomfortable. McCarthy examines the darkness that dwells within humanity and shows how it is part of human nature. The themes of violence being a part of human nature extend beyond text, and unfortunately shine in today's society through social media and gun violence. The Kid represents the “nightmarish possibilities of the American dream” as he started as a runaway seeking for a better life (Moran). The Kid is often caught between violence and a temporary morality, he also symbolizes the struggle of a society that is growing increasingly desensitized to

Show More
Related

Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History Of Violence

360 Words | 2 Pages

In the book, Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun: A Personal History of Violence, by Geoffrey Canada, the author provides an insight of the violent acts throughout his life. Geoffrey was a young child in the Bronx when he was made aware of violence. His father was

Read More

Summary Of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet

1728 Words | 7 Pages

This novel somehow makes Canadian wilderness a little less terrifying and little easier to understand, while still giving the impression of vast and untamed land that is dangerous and still so unknown in a lot of ways to most

Read More

Elements Of Romanticism In The Devil And Tom Walker

440 Words | 2 Pages

One side of this inlet is a beautiful dark grove. On the opposite side the land rises abruptly from the edge of the water , into a tall ridge on which grow a few scattered oaks of great age. Washingtons Irving , describes the setting as a dark, evil, and dim place, This basically shows Supernatrual because it shows how the place is related to evil by describing the place darkly like the place where evil things are occuring. This also shows that this setting takes it to the Dark Romanticism because the settings are obsessed with the idea of evil.. The woods represents a straying from the path of life, and when one strays they becomes prone to the influence of evil.

Read More

Following Rules In Long Way Down By Jason Reynolds

1663 Words | 7 Pages

Since their childhoods it’s been taught to them, usually by their father figure, these children are molded into this violent image that only forces repressed emotions and violent outbreaks. Although they are only looking out for them in this world they’ve created, it is only setting them up for failure. It is important that we know the rules aren’t learned, human nature doesn’t turn them into killers, but rather the constant repetition and reminders of the rules throughout their lives, shaping their their

Read More

Examples Of Quotes From In Cold Blood Quotes

516 Words | 3 Pages

In describing the land as extensively beautiful and “out there”, Truman Capote is setting an environment of an isolated small town, where not much ever happens. This sets a contradictory theme for the rest of the book, as a small community of neighbors and friends turn on each other after a series of murders take place. In describing the town of Holcomb, Kansas, Capote uses strong imagery to set the tone for the small town as “calm before the storm.” Furthermore, Capote compares the unique grain fields to that of ancient Greek temples, indicating that the story contained in this novel has a larger significance as an inside look of timeless human themes such as murder and hatred and how these have existed for all of humanity.

Read More

Fitzgerald's Use Of Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

102 Words | 1 Pages

Moreover, Fitzgerald continues the farming analogy by bringing in vivid descriptions of the valley “where the ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens.” The ideas defined are burn in to the reader’s conscious with the explicit disgust evoking analogy. The ashes are found just like the large fields of wheat that were formally found all around. The site is surely a recognizable one for most, but instead the astonishing view of the wheat waving around is replaced with the windy dusty fields. The burrows are mounted with the plague causing agents familiar to those acquainted with the

Read More

Symbols In Crow Country

542 Words | 3 Pages

Readers are given a deeper comprehension of the land's influence on the characters' sense of connection and belonging through detailed descriptions of the rivers, bushland, and historic sites. Sadie, for instance, experiences astonishment and wonder as she ventures across the difficult terrain, which reflects her developing awareness of her place in the

Read More

Resilience In Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It

367 Words | 2 Pages

Maclean also delineates between the nature that this art takes place and the rest of the world. In this novel, nature is magnificent and awe-inspiring, making the characters feel small in comparison. However, nature provides a source of stability and solace. Throughout the novel, continuity and eternality of the natural

Read More

Just Mercy Rhetorical Analysis

835 Words | 4 Pages

When Bryan Stevenson visits Joe, the cages were so small that Joe’s wheelchair could barely fit through and guards tried to force it out so violently that he started to cry (216). This experience demonstrates that even after all the struggles Joe has gone through in his childhood and over a decade of prison, he continues to be incarcerated in a cruel manner. It also shows Stevenson’s effective use of ethos because if it weren’t for his profession, people would not understand and acknowledge what Joe experienced. After years of representing adolescents, Bryan Stevenson claims that “...those who grow up poor, or in environments marked by abuse, violence, dysfunction, neglect, and the absence of living caretakers are left vulnerable to the sort of extremely poor decision-making that results in tragic violence” (222). Stevenson’s claim incorporates all the forms of rhetoric to ultimately get readers to accept the truth about teens who were convicted and charged as adults or got injustice.

Read More

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Should Be Banned Essay

1669 Words | 7 Pages

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest has graphic violence that may seem pathetic compared to the media of the 21st century American society. Violence can affect children and adolescents up to the age of 18 mentally, physically, and socially. As Zena Rudo, senior researcher at the American Institutes for Research with 35 years of experience, infers through her research, “Social learning theory suggests that violence exposure has effects on children's behavior through modeling and the positive and negative reinforcement of aggression... and through the development of coercive parent--child interactions” (94). Children exposed to violence can begin to behave aggressively and develop unhealthy relationships with their parental figures. Detrimental

Read More

The Thing In The Forest

976 Words | 4 Pages

There was undergrowth—a mat of brambles and bracken. There were no obvious paths. Dark and light came and went, inviting and mysterious, as the wind pushed clouds across the face of the sun.” (355) The "thing" in the story was symbolized as the terror

Read More

Summary Of Violent Media Is Good For Kids

1734 Words | 7 Pages

As well as with “creative violence”, this term is correlated to the idea of helping children learn how to deal with rage and even be able to control it whenever life becomes challenging. Even though parents may not see the appeal of letting their children be exposed to violent content, they should consider the positives it can provide for their children. Overall, Jones used logos, ethos, and pathos effectively to persuade the audience that parents need to start protecting their children from being selfish or over powered people, but instead help them with exploring violence in a healthy manner to help them achieve a better persona. The intended audience for Jones’ article would be parents and teachers.

Read More

Summary Of Violent Media Is Good For Kids

1861 Words | 8 Pages

Analysis of Gerard Jones’ “Violent Media is Good for Kids” In the article called “Violent Media is Good for Kids,” by Gerard Jones, a renowned comic- book author, is arguing that violent media can be helpful for children, rather than be overly harmful. Parents aren’t taking the time to really look at how helpful violent content could possibly be for their child. Yet, violence can help children learn how to reach for their own inner power that they may have never been able to find before. Furthermore, children as they grow up may even go towards violence that presents justice, rather than the negative types of violence.

Read More

The Underlying Theme Of Lawlessness In Blood Meridian

171 Words | 1 Pages

In consideration of the episodic and violent temperament of Blood Meridian, the conclusion of the novel contrasts with the underlying theme of lawlessness and the end of the American Frontier. Furthermore, the epilogue depicts an anonymous digger forging what hints at the possible foundation of a railing or barricade, as wanderers follow aimlessly. Consequently, creating an augmented sense of order that diverges against The Judge’s will of war and chaos, possibly alluding to The Kid’s dream of a forger, in which there will come a time where economic trades will take conquest over the wage of war (Ch. 15?). The novel itself is historically depicted during a time of uncertainty and chaos, erratic alliances and religious notions, and the penetration

Read More

Argumentative Essay On Media Violence

1490 Words | 6 Pages

Media violence has become a controversial topic in the world today. Owing to the rising technology, children are beginning to show increasing violent behaviors. The debates on the effects of media ranging from screen media, video games, and books have a long history. Due to this, there is a speculation over what is the leading cause of the increasing violence in children. Some people argue that there is a relationship between media violence and real-life violence.

Read More

More about How Is Blood Meridian Still Relevant In Today's Society

Open Document