'Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the
Police'
- Martin Gansberg
Summary
In
the article "Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police,"
Martin Gansberg, a New York Times author, claims that society should be more
involved in taking action when witnessing violent or life-threatening
encounters between other people. He elaborates on this theme by providing a
real homicide scenario that occurred as a short story. Martin
Gansberg's purpose of writing this essay is to persuade readers in order to
make changes in our society's mindset on public safety.
His intended audience was towards anyone in general, especially to those who
may witness violent disputes between other people.
Martin
Gansberg wrote this essay mainly to persuade readers that our society should do
more in protecting other citizens. He started his essay
off by telling a story as a flashback of the encounter, then resuming the
story. He strongly supports the fact that people should have taken immediate
action when they witnessed the assailant's attempt to killing the victim. He
also supports this claim by giving feedback from authoritative figures. He
mentions detectives' feedback on the situation, stating that "A phone call
would have done it". He also provides responses from many of the witnesses
as they answer questions from detectives and police. He emphasized the fact
that each one of the provided responses dealt with each of the witnesses not wanting
to "get involved" with the situation. Gansberg did a very well job
using his format of a short narrative based on a true event, then getting his
thesis across from the murder case. He was very informative when providing the
details and descriptions of what caused this tragic death of an innocent
victim.
"Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police" is a famous article by Martin Gansberg published in The New York Times in 1964. The article describes the murder of Kitty Genovese in Queens, New York, on March 13, 1964, and the apparent indifference of numerous witnesses who failed to intervene or call the police. Here are some potential questions and answers about the article:
Who was Kitty Genovese?
- Kitty Genovese was a 28-year-old woman who was murdered in Queens, New York, on March 13, 1964.
What was the title of the article about Kitty Genovese's murder?
- The article was titled "Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police."
Who wrote the article?
- The article was written by Martin Gansberg, a journalist for The New York Times.
What was the central theme of the article?
- The central theme of the article was the bystander effect, highlighting the failure of numerous witnesses to intervene or call the police despite witnessing the murder of Kitty Genovese.
How many witnesses were mentioned in the article?
- The article claimed that 38 witnesses either saw or heard portions of the attack on Kitty Genovese but did not intervene or call the police.
What explanation did the article offer for the bystander effect in the Genovese case?
- The article suggested that the bystander effect occurred due to the diffusion of responsibility, where individuals were less likely to take action in a group setting because they assumed someone else would intervene.
Did the bystander effect receive significant attention after the publication of this article?
- Yes, the article contributed to increased public awareness and research on the bystander effect and its psychological implications.
What impact did the article have on public perception and social psychology research?
- The article sparked debates about urban apathy, the responsibility of bystanders, and the diffusion of responsibility. It also led to further research into the bystander effect and prompted interventions aimed at increasing bystander intervention in emergency situations.
Was there any controversy surrounding the accuracy of the article's claims?
- Yes, over the years, there have been debates about the accuracy of the claims made in the article, including the number of witnesses and the extent of their inaction. Some subsequent investigations suggested that the number of witnesses may have been exaggerated, but the broader issue of bystander apathy remained a topic of discussion.
How did the Kitty Genovese case impact societal attitudes towards crime and bystander intervention?
- The Kitty Genovese case and the subsequent article played a significant role in raising awareness about the bystander effect and the importance of bystander intervention in emergencies. It prompted discussions about social responsibility and community involvement in preventing crime and assisting those in need.
A.Comprehension
:
Q.1.
According to Gansberg, how much time elapsed between the first stabbing of
Kitty Genovese and the time when the people finally came out?
ANSWER
: Approximately an hour and 5 minutes elapsed.
Q.2.
What excuses do the neighbors make for not coming to Kitty Genovese's aid?
ANSWER
: When asked why they didn't get call the police, the
residents made excuses such as being tired, not wanting to get involved, or
that they simply didn't know.
B.Purpose
and Audience
Q.3.
This article appeared in 1964. What effect was it intended to have on its
audience? Do you think it has the same impact today, or has its impact changed
or diminished?
ANSWER
: This article was intended to urge people to call the police to
help if they notice something wrong instead of deciding not to get involved or
assuming that someone else would take care of it. The article remains impactful
today; for many, especially those living in densely populated areas, hearing screams
or shouting at night can become so common that residents may be inclined to
ignore it. This article serves as a helpful reminder to stay vigilant and ready
to help those who may need it.
Q.4.
What is the article's main point? Why does Gansberg imply his thesis rather
than state it explicitly?
ANSWER
: Gansberg's main point is that the victim may have survived if
the spectators had called the police or otherwise intervened. The thesis
becomes clear throughout the article and can be easily implied without being
explicitly stated. This is achieved by Ginsberg pointing out how the attack was
carried out during three separate attacks, describing the lights of those
watching scaring the assailant away, and including the interviews of the
bystanders.
Q.5.
What is Gansberg's purpose in describing the Austin Street area as "staid,
Middle class, tree-lined?
ANSWER
: Gansberg described the Austin Street area as "staid,
middle-class, tree-lined" because he wants to point out this is a white
town and neighbors maybe have a higher education but they did not call the
police while the murder is happening.
Q.6.
Why do you suppose Gansberg provides the police department's phone number in
his article? (Note that New York City did not have 911 emergency service in
1964.)
ANSWER
: Providing this number could be interpreted as a passive
aggressive, sarcastic choice; it is clear from the included interviews that the
bystanders had other reasons for not calling the police than simply not knowing
how to reach them.
Martin Gansberg's article "Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police":
Title Significance:
The title "Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police" is attention-grabbing and sets the tone for the article. It immediately highlights the shocking nature of the event and the apparent indifference of the witnesses.
Narrative Structure:
Gansberg employs a narrative structure that unfolds the events of Kitty Genovese's murder in a chronological order. This structure effectively draws readers into the story and maintains their engagement throughout the article.
Description of the Incident:
Gansberg provides a detailed description of the murder, including the time, location, and circumstances surrounding the crime. This description helps readers visualize the event and understand its significance.
Characterization of Kitty Genovese:
Although the focus of the article is on the bystanders, Gansberg briefly characterizes Kitty Genovese, portraying her as a young woman whose life was tragically cut short. This characterization adds emotional depth to the story and evokes sympathy from the readers.
Analysis of Bystander Behavior:
One of the central themes of the article is the bystander effect, whereby individuals are less likely to intervene in an emergency situation when others are present. Gansberg explores this phenomenon in detail, highlighting factors such as diffusion of responsibility and social influence.
Quotes and Testimonies:
Gansberg includes quotes and testimonies from witnesses and experts to support his analysis of bystander behavior. These firsthand accounts provide insight into the mindset of the witnesses and contribute to the overall credibility of the article.
Impact on Society:
Gansberg's article had a significant impact on society, sparking public outrage and prompting discussions about urban apathy and social responsibility. It also led to increased awareness of the bystander effect and efforts to promote bystander intervention in emergency situations.
Controversy and Criticism:
Despite its impact, the article has faced criticism over the years, particularly regarding the accuracy of the reported number of witnesses and the extent of their inaction. Some have questioned whether the bystander effect was the primary factor at play in this case.
Legacy:
Despite any controversies, Gansberg's article remains a seminal piece of journalism that has influenced subsequent research on bystander behavior and social psychology. It continues to be studied in psychology courses and cited in discussions about the ethical obligations of bystanders.
In conclusion, Martin Gansberg's "Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police" is a compelling and thought-provoking article that sheds light on the complexities of human behavior in emergency situations. Through its detailed narrative and insightful analysis, the article continues to be relevant to discussions about bystander intervention and social responsibility.