In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Hamlet dissembles himself behind a mask of insanity, exiling himself from reality and his friends and family. Consequently, his appearance of insanity masks the reality of his intention, which is to avenge the "foul and unnatural" murder of his father, who was killed by Hamlet's "incestuous" uncle, Claudius. In the same sense, Dave Cullen makes sure to compare the appearance of the Columbine shooting to the reality of the event. As I have surely mentioned in earlier entries, Dave Cullen portrays the actual events of Columbine in his nonfiction novel, in order to clear up the common misinterpretation of the event. The common misconception that the two shooter were secluded and socially inept is shot down by the reality that the two boys were, in fact, slightly popular among their classmates. Both Eric and Dylan were described as popular and full of school spirit. Before the shooting, nobody who knew either of them would have been able to predict the ineffable occurrence. Furthermore, the appearance that the shooting lasted for a long time and was planned out to the last detail by the shooters is cleared up by the reality that the shooting lasted only minutes, and was thrown together by the shooters at the last minute. Finally, the most common misconception that both Eric and Dylan wore trench coats around school everyday and lived in a twilight zone is obliterated by Dave Cullen's evidence from a primary source stating that both boys were fairly down-to-Earth, despite Eric's slightly edgy personality.
In the end, it's always important that we do not make assumptions, because, if we do, the reality hits us and we either feel stupid, or disappointed. Appearance vs. reality is everywhere. We might as well just assume that what is, is not, and move on with our lives.
The flower in the picture is a columbine, so it isn't just a random picture. I just needed to clarify.
Columbine by Dave Cullen (Nonfiction- pgs. 112-223)
Thanks for the really nice review. It was thoughtful and insightful. I really do appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteAn expanded paperback edition is just out, including scans from the killers' journals and a 12-page afterword: “Forgiveness.” It includes startling new revelations on the killers' parents. The purpose, though, was to look at three victims in very different places 11 years later, and how forgiving played a pivotal role in their grief. I discovered the secret meetings with the killers' parents in the process.
Because of the interest from students and teachers/profs, I’ve also created lesson plans and I’m doing phone-ins or skype to book clubs.
There's lots more info at my Columbine site.