The Ritual

Content Warning: This section includes discussion of death and graphic violence.

In The Ritual, Nevill explores controlled and uncontrolled male anger through Hutch and Luke, respectively. Nevill also examines the root causes of Luke’s anger and how his anger can be a destructive or constructive force depending on the context. In these ways, Nevill examines the complicated nature of anger.

Hutch experiences intense bouts of anger, but is able to manage them. When Dom and Phil walk slowly because of their injuries, Hutch “could feel his irritation evolving into anger, manifesting as a tightening across his chest” (6). However, Hutch doesn’t lash out at his friends, as it is against his moral code to do so. As Hutch explains to Luke, “God knows I’ve thought of giving Dom a shoeing over the years, but people like us just don’t do things this way” (96). Hutch categorizes himself and his friends as good and civilized people, that is, people who don’t violently act on their internal anger. Rather, goodness and mental health come from being able to control emotions.

By contrast, Luke acts on his rage impulsively, which harms his well-being and his relationships with others, especially in urban environments.