The Man Who Knew Belle Starr Character Analysis

Deviance and Transgression

In the little narrative “The Man Who Knew Belle Starr”, author Richard Bausch provides the reader with a thrilling suspense story that takes an unexpected turn of events. In Bausch’s story “The Man Who Knew Belle Starr” the actions of the characters can be understood in terms of Chris Jenks’ theory of transgression as well as sociological theories of deviance featured in Debra Marshall’s video “Crime and Deviance: A Sociological Perspective.” While both characters are both deviant and criminal, Belle Starr demonstrates agency and coherence in her violations against the law making her a proper transgressor; in contrast McRae’s un-reflexive and immature behavior separates him from a transgressor

The story starts

An aspect of the Funcionalist theory that can be applied to both characters is anomie , defined as “the loss of direction of the individual when social controls become ineffective”(Marshall). Through McRae we learn that his mother died when he was young and his dad was an alcoholic. Growing up, he had no parental guidance or support as a result, he ends up in trouble with the law for his incident in the Air Force. The theory of anomie can also be recognized in Belle Starr , from her history of sexual abuse conducted from her mother’s partners. Basically, rules and regulations don’t work anymore internally or externally as she tries to take vengeance on the men who remind her of her terrible

In his study entitled, “Whither Trangressor?” Chris Jenks suggests that “To transgress is to go beyond the bounds and limits set by a commandment or law or convention, it is to violate or infringee. But to transgress is also more than this, it is to announce and even laudate the commandment, the law or the convention”(Jenks 2). Belle Starr can be considered a transgressor because she is aware of the fact that she exceeds the boundaries of what is socially acceptable behavior. She admits to killing five and a half people and celebrates her accomplishment. After a horrified McRae learns about her murders, Belle expresses, "Just think about it, McRae. You can say you rode with Belle Starr. You can tell your grandchildren"(Bausch 123). Belle Starr takes pride in her killings and wishes that she becomes a famous murder known for generations to come. She is also well aware of the rules of society as she recognizes that people on the highway are violating the speed limit. When McRae tells her they should speed up, she tells him to slow down because cops only chase cars who are in a hurry. Her astute and cunning nature gives us the sense that she is able to dominate the situation and McRae right from the start. Belle Starr is an example of a transgressor because she consciously acknowledges her actions with an objective in