LE300J Final Essay - 1628 Words

Jennifer McCabe Final Project LE300J Serial Killers as Heroes in Popular Culture Professor Donna Strong Park University Throughout time many have had a fascination with serial killers and with help from the media they have become celebrities within our culture. There are many books, movies, television shows, and news coverage to introduce viewers to their lives. With all the interest behind serial killers, many wonder how they come to be this violent. The question is often asked, are serial killers born or made? There are many myths that describe, or stereotype a serial killer. You may have heard that serial killers are all dysfunctional loners or that all serial killers are white males. One might also hear that†¦show more content†¦He was a successful business man with a picture perfect family. He was announced â€Å"Man of the Year† and one just looking at him would never believe he was a man out to kill. Earl Brooks considered his desire to kill as an addiction. He didn’t necessarily know why he had this addiction and in turn he did not know how to fight against it. He tried going to AA meetings, he had his â€Å"cooling off† period for two years, but yet he still had his need for blood. When he learned that his daughter committed a murder he questioned if this addiction was genetic. We may never know the truth behind this scenario, however natural genetics and psychopathy traits can lead one to believe it is possible. As one studies other viewing and readings such as Silence of the Lambs, Dexter, Perfume, Natural Born Killers, True Blood, Dead until Dark, and The Walking Dead it can be found that both nature and nurture take a part in creating a serial killer. Dexter Morgan is a serial killer that developed a want to kill as a child. Growing up with a foster family he had all the love, nurture, and support of a normal child, but he had a missing part of him with the mystery of his dead mother. Harry, his foster father had recognized Dexter’s need to kill early in life and was able to teach him how to kill properly. Harry was smart in unde rstanding there was no way to contain or stop Dexter’s desire to kill, but he