Gongxue
asked
Dave Cullen:
Just finished reading Columbine, thank you for the thorough account. It is now understood that most mass shooters have a history of violence against women or threats of violence against women, and it is clear at least Eric shared these views from his passage about raping girls. How deep did these attitudes go for each of the boys? Thank you!
Dave Cullen
Thanks. I've not seen such research--can you link to your source? Thanks.
If your assertion about most shooters is correct, then the evidence here--which is overwhelming--shows Columbine was an outlier on that.
We never a whiff of those attitudes from Dylan, and the only time that comes to mind from Eric was that rape fantasy. That may sound like a huge "but," but it's crucial to put all their rants in context. Eric viciously maligned "niggers," "spics," "fags," every minority I can think of and every conceivable group, down to slow drivers, people who say acrost and people who watch the WB network. He gets to every group you could name and countless you would never think to name, so each one of them could cite that as evidence that Eric had antipathy toward that class. But you would be wrong. Stepping back, it's clear that Eric's real animus was captured in the first line of his journal: "I hate the fucking world..." (And everyone and every group in it.) Context is vital here.
If your assertion about most shooters is correct, then the evidence here--which is overwhelming--shows Columbine was an outlier on that.
We never a whiff of those attitudes from Dylan, and the only time that comes to mind from Eric was that rape fantasy. That may sound like a huge "but," but it's crucial to put all their rants in context. Eric viciously maligned "niggers," "spics," "fags," every minority I can think of and every conceivable group, down to slow drivers, people who say acrost and people who watch the WB network. He gets to every group you could name and countless you would never think to name, so each one of them could cite that as evidence that Eric had antipathy toward that class. But you would be wrong. Stepping back, it's clear that Eric's real animus was captured in the first line of his journal: "I hate the fucking world..." (And everyone and every group in it.) Context is vital here.
More Answered Questions
Melanie
asked
Dave Cullen:
After reading "Columbine," I starting viewing Eric and Dylan as humans rather than monsters they are portrayed in the media. I also greatly empathized with their parents, particularly the Klebolds. Have you read, or will you read, Sue Klebold's book "A Mother's Reckoning"?
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more