Thematic Comparison: Dexter Filkins’ “Atonement” and Chris Heath’s “18 Tigers”

Posted: March 27th, 2020

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Thematic Comparison: Dexter Filkins’ “Atonement” and Chris Heath’s “18 Tigers”

The articles, “Atonement” by Dexter Filkins, and “18 Tigers, 17 Lions, 8 Bears, 3 Cougars, 2 Wolves, 1 Baboon, 1 Macaque, and 1 Man Dead in Ohio,” by Chris Heath comprise disparate narratives with similar underlying themes. Filkins’ article delves into the adverse implications that the Iraq War imposed on the protagonist, Lu Lobello. Due to his involvement in the struggle, Lobello becomes susceptible to issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD. On the other hand, Heath’s story focuses on the impact of a man’s actions after he frees wild animals from an enclosure. As an outcome, the individual is forced to grapple with the threat that his actions have caused to the entire town despite his demise in the narrative. The stories use elements of nonfiction to establish the law’s superiority in all contexts as an original theme.

One element of nonfiction used in both articles to illustrate the preeminence of law in society is the presentation of facts. In the story, “18 Tigers, 17 Lions, 8 Bears, 3 Cougars, 2 Wolves, 1 Baboon, 1 Macaque, and 1 Man Dead in Ohio,” the author notes that 50 animals were executed because of the man that released them (Heath). The rationale for such an action, irrespective of its cruelty, was attributed to laws pertaining to the possession of animals. Indeed, the “freed” animals were dangerous creatures that only served as attractions to people interested in seeing them. As such, it was mandatory to place them in standard yet safe settings. Filkins’ article uses the interviewee’s experiences to show that the soldiers had to abide by the law irrespective of the nature and consequences of their actions.

Another element applied in the articles is the utilization of conflict. Conflict is central to the thematic subject due to the way it develops the narratives’ plot. Heath’s article presents a dispute between the antagonist and the enclosure laws. From a personal perspective, it is possible to assume that the man viewed his role in the army as a wrong and the animals as captives. As such, he conflicted with the laws and released the animals. In “Atonement,” Lobello’s feelings of guilt and his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are derived from authorized actions that conflicted with his moral compass (Filkins). Regardless of the repercussions that the lead characters encounter, conflict plays a critical role since it makes the narratives and the actions comprehensible and relatable.

The last element of nonfiction incorporated in the stories constitutes the use of real-life characters. Heath’s narrative functions as a true story that recounts the actions of Terry Thompson, primarily his release of exotic animals that he had once owned despite the legal restrictions prohibiting such exploits, and the consequences of this action. Consequently, Filkins’ story focuses on Lu Lobello, a real-life character that participated in the Iraq War and departed with issues that the government had failed to address despite the heroic nature of his deeds (Filkins). The use of real-life characters functions effectively because it informs the reader regarding events that were possibly absent from their recollection. In respect to the narratives, the element illustrates the extent to which laws surpass people’s indispensable actions without consideration of their results.

The narratives, “Atonement,” by Dexter Filkins, and “18 Tigers, 17 Lions, 8 Bears, 3 Cougars, 2 Wolves, 1 Baboon, 1 Macaque, and 1 Man Dead in Ohio,” by Chris Heath, possess differing narratives that establish an underlying theme. The authors use elements of nonfiction such as the provision of facts, the aspect of conflict, and the application of real-life characters to present the preeminence of the law in the society. Despite the disparate nature of these stories, the characters explored by Filkins and Heath experience adverse consequences that result from their conflict with the law. To this end, the nonfiction dimensions that the authors apply illustrate the fixed nature of rules and their implications on people who decide to follow or ignore them.

Works Cited

Filkins, Dexter. “Atonement.” The New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2012. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/10/29/atonement. Accessed 31 Jul. 2018.

Heath, Chris. “18 Tigers, 17 Lions, 8 Bears, 3 Cougars, 2 Wolves, 1 Baboon, 1 Macaque, and 1 Man Dead in Ohio.” GQ, 6 Feb. 2012. https://www.gq.com/story/terry-thompson-ohio-zoo-massacre-chris-heath-gq-february-2012. Accessed 31 Jul. 2018.

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