Manson Family Research Paper

Words: 1251
Pages: 6

The Manson Family
The case of the Manson Family was, and still continues to be to this day, unique. The Manson Family, or “cult” lead by Charles Manson, can be described as an infamous group who influenced the culture of serial murder and participated in a series of crimes which riveted the nation. The murders committed by the “family” captured headlines throughout America, opening the eyes and minds of many to the frightening reality of serial homicides.
After the year of 1967, Charles Manson had congregated a “family” of followers who shared “his passion for an unconventional lifestyle and habitual use of hallucinogenic drugs”, the group formally being known as the now notorious Manson Family (“Manson Family”). The thoughts and actions of
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And for whatever reason, people are magnetically fascinated by things that are strange and bizarre” (640). The case of the Manson Family, as opposed to others, has continued to fascinate mainstream America and pique millions of people’s interests around the world. To extremists, serial murderers such as John Wayne Gacy and Jeffrey Dahmer are no less or more interesting than an average citizen and the only message in which these “homicidal monsters” are trying to communicate is horror (Bugliosi 643). On the other hand, the Manson Family murders are “downright hip to extremists”, as their violence would be described as political and revolutionary. Extremists are interested in and impressed by Manson’s intelligence and mysterious ways, such as his “mental deftness that allows him to speak in riddles, always with an underlying message” (Bugliosi 644). Many are hoping that a group such as the Manson Family will never manifest in society ever again, as the savagery of the case can be described as exceptionally overwhelming, and something that the world had never seen before prior to the murders. Manson has managed to enthrall many citizens around the world with his “fanatical elements”. “Today, almost every disaffected and morally twisted group in America, from …show more content…
The Manson Family had been the only group of it’s kind to ever manifest in society and seemingly take over the news and headlines, their ways and tactics much different than the “average serial murderer” such as Ed Gein or Ted Bundy to name just a few. Unknowingly influencing the culture of serial murder, many, though not all, of the Manson Family members are now serving time in penal institutions due to their horrendous crimes that have continued to mesmerize and interest a rather large group of citizens all around the world and throughout the