Walking Corpses & Conscious Plants: Possibilist Ecologies in ...

Bingham 67
immediate proximity of the group. As a result, we as readers must question the stability
of that community and the strength of its ethical codes. The first step in approaching
questions regarding the import of ethical codes which influence community structure is a
documented challenge to their existence. Exposing the community and readers to an
atrocious and unspeakable act, this sequence defies the ideal that the only desire people
have in this apocalyptic possible world is to survive. Instead, this double murder shows
that there are still individuals who will choose to enact their own sick fantasies of power
by making innocent people suffer; or, in other words, that evil still exists. Since human
existence is on the verge of extinction, this exploration of malevolence addresses issues
of human nature. Before Rick's return, though, the stakes become increasingly elevated.
More specifically, this examination becomes an inquiry into ethics. Since Rick finds out
after the rest of the community, the immediate response of its other members becomes
telling. There is a level of culpability attributable to Rick since, as a leader, he pushed
Hershel to bring his family to the prison in the first place. However, because he is not
present during this moment of crisis a great deal more attention is paid to the other
characters who make up the group's ranks.
The rippling effect of violence slowly moves out and touches the other members
of the community. Maggie, Hershel's eldest and now sole surviving daughter, sees the
scene next. The immorality of the prisoners is further typified as Axel spies on Lori and
Carol in the shower. Shortly after Glenn, Arnold, and Andrea return to the courtyard to
tell the others they believe Tyreese has perished in the gym. This is a huge blow for the
group but is exponentially surpassed by the news of the girls' murder. Lori furiously
accuses Dexter of the murder and locks him inside a cell (Figure 34-36). By not being