Jeffrey Dahmer: A Closer Look at a Murderer

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Jeffrey Dahmer: A Closer Look
Jeffrey Dahmer was responsible for a series of horrific murders of seventeen young men from 1988 until he was caught on July 22, 1991, in Milwaukee. This single individual grabbed the attention of the entire nation and brought to light the idea that no one in society should be trusted. Dahmer presented himself to be a normal yet quiet man, by leading a discreet and unnoticeable life. But the horrendous details of this 23 year old case are enough to frighten and test the paranoia of many. Jeffrey Dahmer aided in destroying America’s trust in society through his unmerciful ways yet calming and seemingly normal demeanor.
Jeffrey Dahmer was born on May 21, 1960, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Lionel and Joyce Dahmer (Crime Museum.org). According to a fellow classmate, Derf Backderf author of My Friend Dahmer, Jeffrey Dahmer was a loner throughout his years at Revere High School, maintained average grades, worked on the school newspaper, and developed a serious drinking problem. Perhaps this was his way of dealing with the long lasting arguments between his parents that eventually led to a divorce when Dahmer was 18. Dahmer’s life at home was a seemingly normal one. According to Marilyn Bardsley of crimelibrary.com “ He was a normal, healthy child whose birth was the occasion of great joy. As a tot, he was a happy, bubbly youngster who loved stuffed bunnies and wooden blocks. He also had a dog named Frisky, his much-loved childhood pet.” After high school he enrolled himself into Ohio State University but dropped out two semesters later due to constantly skipping classes and his continuous drinking problem. The direct reason for Dahmer’s drinking problem still remains unknown. After given an ultimatum by h...

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...rejection may have been what fueled Jeffrey Dahmer. Each murder may have settled his inner desires and may have even brought comfort by allowing him to be himself instead of carrying on with his “average American” facade that he had acted out for almost his entire life. Jeffrey Dahmer was one of the most unmerciful con artists of our time and will be forever known as one of the most gruesome serial killers that have ever walked this earth due to the fact that he convinced the public of his normality while in reality his crimes ultimately destroyed America’s trust in society.

Works Cited
"Criminal Minds Wiki." Criminal Minds Wiki. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2014
"Jeffrey Dahmer." Jeffrey Dahmer. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
Derf. My Friend Dahmer: A Graphic Novel. New York: Abrams ComicArts, 2012. Print.
"Jeffrey Dahmer." Crime Library:. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014.

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