This bachelor thesis aims to answer the following research question: Is it possible to morally absolve Dexter not only from a utilitarian and a Kantian point of view, but are there also aesthetical aspects influencing and reinforcing the viewer’s attitude? As the question consists of two parts, the analysis will correspondingly be carried out in two steps.
The first part will investigate if the viewer is enabled to morally justify Dexter’s behavior by positively identifying with him, and if this dynamic is supported and reinforced by stylistic devices such as framing and mise-en-scène. The second part will investigate Dexter’s “activities” on the basis of the two abovementioned ethical theories and apply these to a selection of scenes from various seasons of the series. Unlike the article from dexterdaily.com, which suggests that Dexter may be morally absolved by both utilitarianism and Kant’s ethical theory, a preliminary assumption of this thesis is that Dexter might be offered moral amnesty by utilitarianism, rather than by Kant.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Aesthetical Analysis
- Viewer Identification
- Emotions and Relationships
- Self-Reflection
- (Dramatic) Irony and Humor as Mitigating Devices
- Ironic Comments
- Ambiguity in Statements
- Ethical Approaches
- Utilitarianism
- Kantian Ethics
- Dexter Morgan - A (Moral) Person, Just Like Us?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This bachelor thesis explores the question of whether the protagonist Dexter Morgan, a serial killer, can be morally absolved by examining the aesthetical aspects of the series and the ethical theories of utilitarianism and Kantian ethics. The thesis investigates how the viewer’s identification with Dexter is shaped by the series' stylistic devices, and if this identification influences their moral judgement of his actions.
- Viewer identification with antiheroes
- The influence of stylistic devices on viewer perception
- Moral disengagement cues in narratives
- Utilitarianism and Kantian ethics in relation to Dexter's actions
- The role of aesthetical elements in influencing moral judgement
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter introduces the research question and provides context by exploring previous research on antihero narratives and the fascination with psychopathic characters. It lays out the two key areas of analysis: the aesthetical analysis and the ethical approaches.
The second chapter delves into the aesthetical aspects of the series, examining how stylistic devices influence viewer identification with Dexter. It explores the concept of moral disengagement cues and the influence of narrative perspective on viewer perception.
The third chapter investigates the ethical justification of Dexter's actions through the lenses of utilitarianism and Kantian ethics. This chapter analyzes specific scenes from the series and assesses the applicability of these ethical theories to Dexter's behavior.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and focus topics of this thesis are: antihero narratives, viewer identification, aesthetical analysis, moral disengagement cues, utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, Dexter Morgan, moral absolution.
- Quote paper
- Antonia Gesche (Author), 2018, Dexter Morgan. A Moral Murderer?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1003557
