Unnatural Killers

1034 Words3 Pages

In John Grisham’s essay “Unnatural Killers” he weaves a story of two love-struck teens (Sarah Edmondson and Benjamin Darras) on a killing spree that claimed the lives of one of Grisham’s close personal friends (Bill Savage) and the mobility of another woman (Patsy Byers). Grisham claims that these teens were influenced by Oliver Stone’s film Natural Born Killers and that “there exists a direct causal link between the movie Natural Born Killers and the death of Bill Savage”(577). Even though I must concede some of Grisham’s points, I still think that, whether the movie (Natural Born Killers) had an influence on the two teens or not it’s still their personal choices to shoot those people. The blame should be laid on Darras and Edmondson because of their decisions, not Oliver Stone because of his movie’s possible influence.

In his essay, Grisham makes many heated claims towards Oliver Stone and his film, but I must concede to the fact that one of the victims (Bill Savage) was one of Grisham’s close personal friends. That was most likely the reason for the heated tone of Grisham’s remarks. Along with Grisham’s personal attachment to the shootings, he is also a lawyer and writer whose stories could have possible influences on people, therefore, giving him a different perspective on the situation as a whole. My last concession to Grisham’s essay is, as he acknowledges on page 573 of his essay, that he only has Sarah’s testimony to use for reference. Even with those concessions there is still plenty of questions concerning the two teens’ story.

The first of my questions would have to be in regards to the teens questionable backgrounds. In his essay, Grisham makes a statement about the two kids saying, “troubled as they were, Ben ...

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...he death of his friend, but that does not mean he can undoubtedly lay blame to Oliver Stone’s movie. Because, like Marilyn Manson says in his essay, “Columbine: Whose Fault Is It?,” “If a kid is old enough to drive a car or buy a gun, isn’t he old enough to be held personally responsible for what he does with his car or gun?” (730). It is simply put, but it sends a clear message. People should be held accountable for their actions, because no matter how much they claim to be influenced, it is still their decision.

Works Cited

Grisham, John. “Unnatural Killers.” Patterns for College Writing. 7th ed. Ed. Laurie G.

Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell. New York: St. Martens Press, 1998. 570-70. Print.

Manson, Marilyn. “Columbine: Whose Fault Is It?” The Conscious Reader. 11th ed. Ed.

Caroline Shrodes, et. al. New York: Pearson, 2009.

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