the tree
The American obsession with serial killers lies in the chill sent up the spine by a story like, “He kills his victims and then puts dancing shoes on their feet and dances with them before he buries them.” The imagery and descriptions of their various atrocities intrigued us and haunt us all at once. The public has a varied view of who these killers are as individuals; one can emerge at any moment, at any time, and in any place. They are people who live a normal life like every other person, with something in their past or some other inexplicable reason that drives them to these heinous acts. People create stereotypical views because it defines right and wrong and comforts us to know that we do not fit in the “wrong” category. We obsess over the fact that some people commit such atrocities, but most importantly, we want to know why a human being would resort to such ultra-violence. Theoretically, there are four types of serial killers: the visionary, the mission-oriented, the thrill-oriented, and the lust-oriented, and there are different psychological aspects to the reasons behind their crimes (like the thrill or sexual satisfaction). A serial killer is so terrifying to us because he can separate his own being from the violent act and dehumanize his victims. He sees his victims as numbers on a line, a line he will follow until he is caught. Every crime, every face becomes the same for him. In our wound culture, we flock to the scenes of the horrific aftermath of serial killers’ acts and follow closely behind on this twisted line.
art by scott west