What happens in William Faulkner's "Dry Septmeber" could be an example of what I'm referring to: John McLendon wants to kill Will Meyer to defend the honor of Mrs. Minnie and, additionally, the sacred Southern values. In addition, he doesn't question his actions, he's moved by pure instinct of defending the peaceful life of the South by acting violently. He's just an animal trying to find an excuse to kill someone who is "undesirable".
When I was reflecting about this, I related it with what happens to supremacist and conservative groups (not only in America). I believe they feel panic that their way of living could be in danger because of the acceptance and integration of other cultures, ethnic groups and so on.
But why do they have an aggressive reaction? One possibility could be a subconscius alarm of feeling vulnerable in front of a foreigner being, seeing it as a threat.
Maybe, fear and violence are the white robes where we can hide our own insecurities.
Indeed, I do believe that is the reason they deside to hide themselves in the first place as what they are doing is not an honorable thing to do. If they wholeheartedly believed in their cause, there is no point in hiding. Behind those ropes is the fear that cannot be seen. The fear that in some way of another shows the weakness of a weak cause that is merely an excuse. An exuse for the fact that men are naturally violent.
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