The Theme of Violence in American Society

The novel's critique of the pervasive violence in American culture.

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Violence in Media and Life

The Culture of Violence The Movies and TV Charlie notes that American kids are saturated with violence from movies, TV, and real life. He mentions The Exorcist and Bonnie and Clyde. The Hunting Trip The hunting trip is a microcosm of male violence. The men joke about killing and mutilation. Charlie is traumatized by it. The School Environment The school itself is a place of violence: fights, bullying, and psychological abuse. Charlie's actions are an extreme response to this environment.

The Police and State Violence

The Response The Sniper Daniel Malvern attempts to kill Charlie with a sniper rifle. This is state-sanctioned violence. Charlie survives only because of the padlock. The Final Shooting Philbrick shoots Charlie three times when he feigns reaching for a weapon. The police are quick to use lethal force. The Aftermath Charlie is institutionalized. The system that was supposed to help him instead punishes him. The cycle of violence continues.

Throughout the novel, in Charlie's observations

During the hostage crisis