Citation

Chesebro JW, McMahan DT. International Journal of Phytoremediation 2006; 54(4): 407-425.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006)

DOI

10.1080/01463370601035871

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Mass murder-suicides immediately shock and horrify the living. These shocking dimensions quickly dissolve, however, as the motives underlying such acts are explored. This paper presents six symbolic and interrelated characteristics, which have consistently reemerged through The New York Times' reporting of mass murder-suicides to not just describe events surrounding these acts but also create a sense of order and cast these acts as a destructive form of human behavior. Ultimately, the reporting of the mass murder-suicides by the Times represents a series of symbolic strategies and critical perspectives that present the mass murder-suicide as both burlesque and grotesque. © 2006, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Language: en

Keywords

Branch Davidian; Burlesque; Grotesque; Heaven's Gate; Jonestown; Mass Murder-Suicide; Mass Suicide; The New York Times