Dexter: The Heroic Character Of Dexter Lindsay

There are many heroic characters that audiences can relate to such as Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins and Katniss Everdeen. But how about Dexter Morgan? Is he a character that audiences should understand and relate? In the fantasy fiction novel, Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, Dexter Morgan is a notorious serial killer urging only to kill evil predators. At the same time, he works for the Miami police department with a regular life with his sister Deborah, and his girlfriend Rita. Throughout the novel, a series of murders occur with clues imitating Dexter’s killing strategies. He is intrigued and wants to find more about the killer. In Dreaming Darkly Dexter, Dexter may be a sick serial killer, but by closer analysis of the text,

Dexter is a likeable character because he possess his humanity toward children, Deborah and Rita.
Dexter is suppose to be a likeable character because he has a warmhearted personality with children. In the beginning of the novel, he captures the priest because he claims that the priest was a child murderer. After Dexter kills the priest, he declares “I should have killed [the priest] twice. But I like kids. I [cannot have] them since the idea of sex is not idea at all. Imagine doing those things- How can you? But kids - kids are special”(15). It suggests that Dexter cares about children because his tone is very calm and confident when he states that he wanted to kill the priest twice. He includes words like “special” to describe his affection toward kids. When he questions about sex towards children, this suggest that Dexter is against child molestation and is aware about protecting children. In some ways, it could foreshadow how Dexter wants to kills people who harm others because it eliminate questionable subjects of harming victims in the future. Furthermore, the idea how Dexter cannot have kids due to sex makes people feel empathy towards Dexter. Because of sexual and child abuse, it may have tarnished his possibility of having kids. In the middle of the novel, Dexter goes to meet his girlfriend, Rita, at her house. At Rita’s house, he shows his affection toward her children when he describes, “I remembered the boy’s birthdays, report-card, [and] holidays. I could come into their house and do no harm. I could be trusted. But in fact, they mattered to more than she did. Maybe it was already too late, but I didn’t want to see them grow up to be like me”(58). Dexter shows appreciation by spending quality time with them. When he describes how he remembers important events on Rita’s sons to readers, in many ways, he is represented as a father figure who wants to be a big part in the children’s lives. Readers will admire him because he is a good representation of a caring father especially people who have apathetic parents or orphans. When Dexter describes how he does not want the children to become like him, he shifts into a concerning tone. The audience can feel empathy towards him because he does not want his sickness to influence Rita’s children. Perhaps, Dexter does have his guilt of being a monster because it could have a negative influence upon the children. Therefore, Dexter does show affection and care toward children throughout the novel, and it makes him a likeable person.
Throughout the novel, Dexter shows affection towards his foster sister, Deborah. There are certain moments where he admires Deborah. For example, during the middle of the crime scenes, he describes that Deborah“is a very smart person, straightforward, and inheriting all directness of her father”(110). Dexter’s tone toward Deborah shows his understanding of Deborah’s capabilities as a person. It suggests that he knows he is close with his foster sister because his point of view of Deborah is clear and concise to the reader. Furthermore, it could suggest that Dexter admires his sister because he uses words such as “admirable” and “straightforward” to describe her personality. In many ways, readers will relate to Dexter because many people can understand their relationships with their siblings. Also, people in modern society look positively to loving, understanding, and respecting family members due to people’s influence on religion. Later in the novel, Deborah finds out that Dexter has the lead toward the criminal without her knowledge. When Dexter realizes this, he replies back, “I’m sorry, Deb. I really didn’t think it would pan out. It was a hunch really”(102). Dexter’s tone toward Deborah is very pitiful and honest. It suggests that he is truly sorry about his lead when he is honest with her and apologizes. In many ways, Dexter seems to believe that he hurt Deborah and does not want to make her upset. Many people can sympathize Dexter because he and many others show remorse when they hurt family members. After Dexter killed Jaworski, he goes through some consideration on how Deborah could become successful in the situation. He describes “ There might be a way for Deb to cash in on this. If she can prove this, Deb could suddenly turn from somebody they didn’t trust to get their coffee into flavor of the month”(181). When Dexter describes how Deb could earn respect from the situation, it suggests that he wants his sister to be successful as a police officer. Dexter can recognize how Deborah is ignored and unnoticed of her work. Readers will show compassion towards Dexter and will relate to him because most people want close friends and family members to be successful as well. Later in the book, Deborah hand squeezes Dexter and uses his nickname “Dexy”. Suddenly in his conscience he gets bottled up in emotion. He describes “When she called me Dexy, she put us both firmly back in Harry land, a place where family mattered and obligations were as real as headless hookers… It was almost enough to make me feel emotional”(208). His tone is humorous when Dexter uses it to compared to headless hookers. Though, in some way, Dexter is in full of emotions when he compares it to his foster father, Harry. Readers will understand how Dexter has the utmost respect for Harry and his role model while reading the novel. When Dexter states this, it suggests how Dexter can see a little part of Harry when he sees Deborah. This represents that he has some respect of his sister and is close to her. Furthermore, it suggests that he looks very positively towards his nickname. In some ways, it shows that Dexter is comfortable and understanding with Deborah. People relate to Dexter because they can get very emotional and happy when they are reminded of family and love. Later in the book, Dexter is accused for killing a man on the security camera. He states, “There was nothing else I could do except wait for Deborah. I would have to let my poor tormented sister haul me away to jail. After all, one way or another I was guilty. I really should be locked up”(242). His pitiful tone show his guilt when he describe his sister’s feelings of“torment”. In many ways, people have empathy because they can relate when people put themselves down. This shows how Dexter makes mistakes and is not perfect and makes him more relatable. Furthermore, there is some indication how he does have emotions like remorse that audiences can sympathize to. Therefore, Dexter is appealing to the audience because he show human qualities that audiences can relate to with Deborah.
Also, Dexter is an amiable character whenever he is dating Rita. During the middle of the novel, Rita calls Dexter and sobs with little explanation. Shortly after, Dexter is wondering what she wanted to say. He states “At other times, I feel like I am missing out on a great reservoir of warm wisdom, the lore of some sense I don’t possess that humans feel so deeply. This was one of those times. I [know I am suppose] to understand that Rita was saying something very specific….”(132). The audience can relate to Dexter because of his awkward dating skills and logic toward women. People can relate to him because many people are awkward with dating and can struggle to understand his or hers partner’s intentions. Also, reader have pity over Dexter because he does put an effort to understand Rita’s situation. Many people can relate to the misunderstandings of being in relationships. Therefore, it makes Dexter a relatable character that people can understand. Later, Dexter comes over to Rita’s house and finds her in tears. He describes “For the life of me I could not understand why she was crying, but since I had practiced long and hard at imitating human beings, I knew that I was supposed to comfort her. I leaned toward her and put an arm across her shoulder. ‘Rita’ I said. ‘There, there”(155). When Dexter does that to Rita, it indicates that he wants to comfort her. Even when he does not understand why she is crying, he does that because it is effective. Readers will agree towards Dexter’s decision because his confidence and good intention indicates he is logical and observant when others need him. It suggests that Dexter cares about Rita and gives the audience an impression that his intentions can be good around women like Rita and Deborah.
Jeff Lindsay categorizes Dexter as the protagonist to express how people have different values and intentions throughout humanity.

Throughout the novel, the author shows Dexter’s need for killing others. For example, after he kills the priest, he declares, “Killing makes me feel good. I enjoy my work”(14). The author uses this example to make audiences question Dexter amusement to murder others. Because murdering others is inhuman, most people may look down upon Dexter because of the influences of religion and education. This may suggest that Lindsay wants to stress how people in today’s society gives assumptions too quickly when people value certain matters differently. It indicates that people do have different opinions throughout society, but people may feel conflicted when it is against their morals and ethics. Also, another reason why Lindsay categorizes Dexter as the protagonist to show how having good intentions and being loyal toward loved ones is most important. At the end of the novel, when Dexter has the option to kill Deborah, he is conflicted of the Code of Harry. The Code of Harry makes Dexter kill only the notorious people in his point of view. Afterwards, he is loyal to Harry’s code of law and does not choose to kill his sister (278). When Dexter follows the code, it proves how Dexter is loyal to only killing the “bad guys” and has good intention. Lindsay’s purpose could show how being loyal toward family members is an important value that modern society should follow. Therefore, the author’s purpose is to show how people in society have different values and intentions toward different matters. Also, people’s loyalty toward loved ones can determine their actions in

society.
In the fantasy fiction novel, Darkly Dreaming Dexter, by Jeff Lindsay, Dexter is a man of good charm and wit. Though with the characteristics of a serial killer, the author manages to make readers like Dexter. He is relatable upon many people in society because he retains his humanity towards people such as children, Deborah and Rita. He possesses certain feelings and experiences that audiences will sympathize and have empathy toward the main protagonist. To put in a final thought, Dexter is known as a serial killer in the novel. In modern society, murdering people is looked down upon by many people due to influence of religion, education or formed laws. Therefore, it brings judgemental opinions toward those in murder. People will have different values on murder but it is okay to accept these ideas yet?