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How Is Blood Meridian Still Relevant In Today's Society

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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

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