The Ordinary Goodness Burke Rejects

The Ax

Encounters with kindness and ordinary cooperation expose the moral gap between Burke’s stated values and his actions.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Everly’s Ordinary Morning Everly’s Ordinary Morning from "The Ax". Everly’s Ordinary Morning Mail and Household Life Everly collects the ordinary mixture of letters, bills, and catalogs at his mailbox.

Everly’s Ordinary Morning from "The Ax". Everly’s Ordinary Morning Mail and Household Life Everly collects the ordinary mixture of letters, bills, and catalogs at his mailbox.

Everly’s Ordinary Morning Mail and Household Life Everly collects the ordinary mixture of letters, bills, and catalogs at his mailbox. Burke notices his clothes, age, and appearance, trying to decide whether this is the right man. Violence Against an Individual Once Everly confirms his identity, Burke shoots him. The ordinary details do not prevent the killing, but they reveal how much personhood Burke observes before choosing to suppress it.

Mrs. Ricks Appeals to Him Mrs. Ricks Appeals to Him from "The Ax". Mrs. Ricks Appeals to Him A Plea for Her Daughter Mrs. Ricks confronts Burke with distress, pleading that he leave her eighteen-year-old daughter alone.

Mrs. Ricks Appeals to Him from "The Ax". Mrs. Ricks Appeals to Him A Plea for Her Daughter Mrs. Ricks confronts Burke with distress, pleading that he leave her eighteen-year-old daughter alone.

Mrs. Ricks Appeals to Him A Plea for Her Daughter Mrs. Ricks confronts Burke with distress, pleading that he leave her eighteen-year-old daughter alone. Her words ask him to recognize a family’s vulnerability. A Plea Misread as a Threat Burke cannot safely explain who he is and panics when she sees the gun. He responds by killing her, turning a request for restraint into a new tragedy.

Dynes Offers Help Dynes Offers Help from "The Ax". Dynes Offers Help A Welcome to a Stranger Dynes speaks gently to Burke, recognizes his joblessness, and recommends a motel.

Dynes Offers Help from "The Ax". Dynes Offers Help A Welcome to a Stranger Dynes speaks gently to Burke, recognizes his joblessness, and recommends a motel.

Dynes Offers Help A Welcome to a Stranger Dynes speaks gently to Burke, recognizes his joblessness, and recommends a motel. He treats Burke as a fellow man in difficulty rather than a threat. Kindness Cannot Save Him Burke feels the pressure of their growing rapport and tries to preserve emotional distance. He later kills the person who has offered him simple, unguarded understanding.

Asche’s Helpful Impulse Asche’s Helpful Impulse from "The Ax". Asche’s Helpful Impulse A Question at the Car Burke approaches Asche at his trunk and identifies him before raising the gun.

Asche’s Helpful Impulse from "The Ax". Asche’s Helpful Impulse A Question at the Car Burke approaches Asche at his trunk and identifies him before raising the gun.

Asche’s Helpful Impulse A Question at the Car Burke approaches Asche at his trunk and identifies him before raising the gun. Asche’s brief questioning smile belongs to an ordinary encounter with someone he does not know. A Second Shot Burke shoots him and then fires again when the first wound does not kill him. The exchange strips away any suggestion that the target’s résumé alone is what dies.

Fallon Tries to Help Fallon Tries to Help from "The Ax". Fallon Tries to Help An Open Door Fallon sees Burke in his house and initially points a revolver at him.

Fallon Tries to Help from "The Ax". Fallon Tries to Help An Open Door Fallon sees Burke in his house and initially points a revolver at him.

Fallon Tries to Help An Open Door Fallon sees Burke in his house and initially points a revolver at him. After Burke explains his job fears, Fallon relaxes, offers beer, and listens. Help Betrayed Fallon shares professional knowledge and companionship with Burke. Burke kills him once he falls asleep, making the betrayal especially direct and personal.

May 8, 1997

May 15, 1997

Late May 1997, at SnowBird

Late May 1997

Late June 1997, final night