(Not) Minding It

I've continued In Cold Blood and I'm still unaware of the reason behind the murder of the Clutter family. But I mentioned that on my latest blog. I want to compare how people in In Cold Blood react to murders and how people in our society react too. We have been consumed with movies, shows, and games that mostly have to do with death and murder. It seems normal to almost everyone seeing someone die in movies, T.V shows, and most popular, in games. I've seen my fair share of blockbusters and played great games involving shooting someone, even blowing places up. Though our reaction to this is nonchalant. It's ok we see it everyday. Do we?

I myself am a huge fan of videogames, particularly those that include killing. If you think about it almost every videogame there is includes some type of violence. I should stop because I don't want to get into ranting how violent videogames don't affect children. It's the same with movies. Today's children watch movies such as James Bond or The Expendables and don't even question about the presence of death and loss. Alright maybe I too don't react dramatically to death in movies. Maybe it's because we know it's fake.

Now in In Cold Blood people hearing the news about the murders reacted surprised, "Mrs. Clare raised her voice. "Worse when the daughter hung up, she did not quench the old woman's curiosity; instead, she placidly drank her coffee, went to her desk, and began to postmark a pile of letters."(68). Mrs. Clare after receiving the news also doesn't show much emotion towards it. Instead when Mother Truitt asks, Mrs. Clare replies, "BECAUSE HE'S DEAD. And Bonnie too. And Nancy. And the boy. Somebody shot them." "Myrt - don't say things like that. Who shot them?"" (69). We can see how one is shocked while the other one shows disinterest. I would be shocked to hear about a nearby murder. Even worse if its people I know.

It might be difficult to interpret every single persons response to death. Though we are clear it has mixed feelings.