Monster Man and A Perfect World - Abductors
Both Butch Hayes and Samuel Levine both committed the same crimes against a young person, yet the viewer is positioned to feel differently to both of them-more sympathetic towards Hayes rather than Levine. This is because of the manner both their characters were portrayed, using, among other things, techniques specific to the genre (feature film and novel). One of the main factors, which manipulate how we feel about Butch and Samuel, are the way they are both characterised. Hayes is intelligent and sensible as shown in the way he constantly outsmarts the police. He is sane and also inwardly good. He only killed the people who hurt the ones he loved. Butch is portrayed as not being bad but will be bad to survive. He only acts ruthless when there is a reason to be brutal. An example of this was when he saves Phillip's mother from Terry, the criminal he escaped with. He is human with human faults, which we can relate to, but we see past all that to, his core, his integrity. But although he is "good", as well as that he is also in spite of everything, sinister and still resorts to inducing fear and intimidation. His intelligence also works against him for he is psychologically smart which enables him too completely scare of his vi
How the abductor treats his "victim" affects how we feel towards him. Levine abducts a 16-year-old girl. This makes me suspect that there may be a possible sexual motivation. He is needs to feel the power in the relationship and restricts Melanie in what she eats, where she goes, what she does and when she does it. If she does not conform to his wishes he ties her up and blindfolds and gags her. Levine does what he wants and does not relate to Melanie in any way. This makes me feel disgust and hatred for him. Butch on the other hand seems to be the complete opposite to Levine. He treats Phillip the way Phillip wants to be treated. He does what Phillip wants, for example, the trick or treating, and considers his feelings. He even gave Phillip the choice of leaving him if he wanted to. From the start he made it clear that he would never hurt Phillip. He teaches him important things in life like making goals and introduced him to having fun. Because he shows kindness and love towards Phillip we like him more and have more sympathy for him. Samuel Levine on the other hand, is completely frightening. This may just be because I'm female and Levine stalks and abducts a female who is around my age but it is also because he is "Monster". This makes him seen worse because he is unpredictable and you never know when "Monster" will overpower Levine and take control. Levine is volatile in the way that he is impulsive and acts child-like with child-like values but he is also devious and calculative and
Some common words found in the essay are:
Samuel Levine, Butch Samuel, Phillip Phillip, Melanie Butch, Glyn Parry, World' Butch, Kevin Costner, Butch Hayes, Hayes Levine, butch hayes, samuel levine, feature film novel, feature film, bad childhood, butch portrayed, film novel, makes feel, techniques specific, terry criminal, butch hand, samuel levine committed,
Approximate Word count = 1010
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
|