Discussion Question 10: Horror

Answer one of the questions below:

1. Explore just what sorts of elements create a sense of horror in one of the following:

   • one or more horror stories
   • one or more horror novels
   • one or more horror films

   Note that I'm trying to get you NOT to mix genres. You could, for example, explore one or two H.P. Lovecraft stories and analyze (with quoted examples) how he creates a sense of dread or tension; you might note that he often uses tricks (invented newspaper stories, for instance) to make the story appear real. Or you might look at a movie like The Haunting and discuss how voice over, sound effects, dark and light, pulsating doors (stolen by Disney in their Haunted Mansion ride:), musical soundtrack, suspense (withholding action), shock (springing unexpected action), and such all manipulate the reader and play on different sorts of fears people have.

2. For this question you first need to read Stephen King's "Why We Crave Horror Movies," an excerpt from his book Danse Macabre. The piece is casual and humorous, but it does give a thoughtful consideration of just what readers/viewers get from works of horror. One of his cliams is that people are all sick/warped (on some level). It's why we will throw ourselves on roller coasters or off bridges (while we wear bungee cords) and call it "fun." It's why we laught at the different cruel/violent images that make up what we call "comedy."

   Citing examples from popular writing or film, support his thesis. Just what sorts of things make for successful horror, and how do they serve to "feed the hungry alligators"?

   IMPORTANT NOTE! You do not need to personally like horror films/books to answer this question. Even if you hate the genre, you can be objective enough to know that the Saw series, for example, is incredibly popular. So you can look at what seems to "feed the hungry alligators" in those people who flock to these movies even if you are not one of them :)

3. Some horror stories and films have more depth than just simple scarey works. For example, Mary Shelly's novel Frankenstein considers the nature of humanity, the responsibilities of science, etc. Don Siegal's movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers has been seen as a symbol of the McCarthy era in America. The Blair Witch Project satirizes the smug assuredness some have about being safe in an information-rich, civilized time/place; it also, through the character of Heather, explores a culture that now filters reality through a lens (through television, movies, facebook, and so on) and has lost touch with authentic, natural experience.

   Write an analysis of a story, novel, or film that explores one of these more thought-provoking issues.