The Lovely Bones Reflection

When I first started reading the Lovely Bones, I was very surprised and intrigued after finishing the first chapter. After first reading the title, I imagined that someone was going to be killed, but I was shocked that the young girl narrating the story is killed off in the first chapter. I figured it would be at least four or five chapters until someone was killed off, but boy was I wrong. After this surprising development my curiosity was peaked, and I had to know what the rest of the book was about.

As I continued to read the rest of the novel, I was surprised to read so much about the killer’s life. I have read about serial killers in the past, but it was very different for me after having learned so much about mental illness in the past few weeks. I saw the serial killer not as some crazed loner that killed strictly for enjoyment and pleasure, but as someone who was suffering from a mental illness that struggled to control their impulses. In the case of the lovely bones, the killer (Mr. Harvey) was brought up in an abusive household that I believe played a big part in contributing to his mental illness. I know that influences early in our development go a long way in shaping the people we later turn out to be. But in the case of Mr. Harvey I feel that he genuinely was suffering from a mental illness in addition to his influential childhood. Anyone who dreams about killing women and children probably has more problems than just horribly parents. Also the fact that Mr. Harvey doesn't feel any remorse for his victims and takes pleasure in committing the atrocious acts, tells me that he is a classic Sociopath. Also many people suffering from anti-social personality disorder have been known to show no remorse as well. I believe that Mr. Harvey wanted to fit in, just lacked the ability to stop his psychotic impulses; I think that Mr. Harvey setting timers on his lights and binds to open and close like "Normal" people’s houses supports this.

I believe that some serial killers might very well have never committed their crimes had they received treatment for their mental illness earlier in life. But it is extremely difficult to know if someone is suffering from a mental illness or having disturbing thoughts, if they are constantly trying to hide them from the outside world. All of our main readings so far have shown us a main character suffering from a mental illness that is desperately trying to fit into society. I believe that the human condition is a very complex topic that applies to everyone differently. In my opinion some people are influenced more by their upbringing than others. Some people have been raised in absolutely horrible conditions and went on to lead ordinary lives with no adverse effects. Others might suffer affects later on in life after just one unfortunate event in their childhood. The Lovely Bones has further expanded my understanding of mental illness, and I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.