monsters in america sparknotes

However, at times the overt political messages can be more aggressive than effective, the book frequently covers more breadth than depth, and I was left without a clear sense of how monsters in America (US, presumably, rather than hemispheric) differed from those in international nightmares--or how the globalization of monster culture influenced American culture. Social commentary may drive sub-text but money drives the movie. The book reflects on the. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. They are manifestations of our society. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Dorothy Sayers Poems Five of Our Favorites! From early American ghost stories to Jordan Peeles Get Out (2017), Scott Poole expertly tracks the importance of monsters and monstrosity in American culture. This book is really good, a look at our monsters in a social conceptional way. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. Anything outside the norm brought about the birth of a monster, which can differ depending on the social, economic, cultural, or political influences of the time. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. He tells his story through handwritten notes and a typewritten screenplay. Paperback; 9781481308823; Published: July 2018; $34.99. Sex and violence are the recurring themes of the book, but Poole always provides context for why they recur so often. Definitions of the monster, he adds, change over time and with each generation. Interesting as a surface-level exploration of "Monster Theory". For Professors: Exam Copies. Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% He also makes notes about his movie and about details he observes in court. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. Consulting newspaper accounts, archival materials, personal papers, comic books, films, and oral histories, Poole adroitly illustrates how the creation of the monstrous"other"not only reflects society's fears but shapes actual historical behavior and becomes a cultural reminder of inhuman acts.Monsters in America is now online at www.monstersinamerica.com. Five months later, Steve is again writing in his notebook. In Virginia's sectional differences, what natural boundary marked the dividing line between the traditional thinkers and those desiring reforms to have greater representation? She explains that some jurors have decided against him just because he is young and Black, so Steve has to make the jury see him as different from the other defendants. Steve is about to stand trial for felony homicide. Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. Purchasing If you, like me, are both a person that loves old monster movies and cares about history, you'll find this book to be a fun read. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Author: W. Scott Poole Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books ): "Monsters are not just fears of the individual psyche, historian Scott Poole explains, but are concoctions of the public imagination, reactions to cultural influences, social change, and historical events. It was the first-ever Michael L. Printz Award recipient, an ALA Best Book, a Coretta Scott King Honor selection, and a National Book Award finalist. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Ten Important Women Theologians To Start Reading. Flashbacks in Steves screenplay show Steve playing on the streets, listening to Mr. Sawicki, his film club mentor, and hanging out with James King and Osvaldo Cruz. Poole invites us into an important and enlightening, if disturbing, conversation about the very real monsters that inhabit the dark spaces of America's past. Indians, the physically disabled, African-Americans, deep-sea animals or mammals, science is a powerful motivator and caused society to vilify those that do not fit the acceptable mold. Satan in America tells the story of America's complicated relationship with the devil. A Midsummer Night's Dream (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Macbeth (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Hamlet (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Julius Caesar (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Othello (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Twelfth Night (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes Buy now: [ Amazon ] [ Kindle ]. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! In his comments on the 1931 "Frankenstein" W. Scott Poole, relates that the idea of the "abnormal brain" that Fritz grabs for Henry Frankenstein being the cause of the monster's murderous mentality being a reflection of the "scientific rascism" of the day. Michelle Shannon is licensed under a 1960-1980 3. Poole's book is fantastic, a terrific look at what makes monsters in film resonate in American culture. Other times Poole relies too heavily on social interpreters for his connections. From 19th century sea serpents to our current Publishers Weekly session with vampires and zombies, Poole plots America's past through its fears in this intriguing sociocultural history. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Monster in America is a literature book by W. Scott Poole. $24.99 Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter& download your FREE copy of this ebook! Monsters in America: OBrien reminds jurors of reasonable doubt and states firmly that Steves guilt has not been proven. Finally, in the new section "American Carnage," Poole challenges readers to assess what their own monster tales might be and how our sordid past horrors express themselves in our present cultural anxieties. Penn State folklorist Bill Ellis called the book "required reading for anyone who wants to understand the dark roots of America culture." We've quickly looked at a wide variety of Native Cultures across the Americas. While real monsters do exist, the reality of our own monstrosities mirrors not a national heritage as much as our human heritage. Monsters in America does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. | Good references in the book that I looked up to further read about horror movies and their importance to our sociological perspective. Specifically, he discusses how the stories like "Pocahontas" and "The. But he also shows that the monstrous can be sympathetic, that it can also be used by the oppressed to speak back to the mainstream. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. The State rests its case. Highly recommended. An unexpected guilty pleasure! Evans states that King was his partner in the robbery and that Steve served as the lookout. She coaches Steve on how to answer questions on the witness stand. Consulting newspaper accounts, archival materials, personal papers, comic books, films, and oral histories, Poole adroitly illustrates how the creation of the monstrous "other" not only reflects society's fears but shapes actual historical behavior and becomes a cultural reminder of inhuman acts. And I don't have to mention the meaning of all the zombie movies. Eastern Orthodoxy Essential Books [A Reading List]. Then it is OBriens turn to present the defense of Steve. 335 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 in. An excellent study for any student of history or media but also fun and accessible for any fan of monsters and the movies. Poole explains his parameters of a monsters nature from the outside, in: monsters are a product of our collective hatreds outside the human psyche. By so delimiting his interpretation, Poole mirrors his stated concern for other theories that monster interpretations are reductive and overdeterminative (13-18). You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Pooles constant harangue against anything conservative is a thin criticism to begin, stretched beyond any semblance of recognition by the end of the book. The brother of Zeus and Poseidon, Hades rules the underworld, the realm of the dead, with his wife, Persephone. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past, Monsters in. What becomes disturbingly apparent is that most of Americas hatred of the Other is based in Christian religious belief. All Rights Reserved. Victor sees the monster's point of view and agrees to create a mate for the monster. Want 100 or more? Scott - For All Who Hunger - Feature Review, Mattix & Thomas, Eds - Christian Poetry in America Since, Copyright 2023 The Englewood Review of Books. He is the author of several books, including a biography of H.P Lovecraft, which became a Bram Stoker award finalist, and. Historian W. Scott Poole distinguishes himself by focusing on the American context, providing a history told through the personified expressions of our anxieties and fears. 2023 Project MUSE. That's What She Read by I used this as a textbook for a themed English course: Monsters, Myths, and Magic. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past. The atheist taught that inflicting suffering while enjoying the process is human nature. Briggs presents his defense of King. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Date. This exciting work blends the study of horror films, comic books, religious texts and newspaper accounts of "satanic panics" into a highly readable analysis of the concept of the devil in American cultural history. New York: Theatre Communications Group, 2013. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. I had trouble finding a consistent narrative in a book that talked about sea monsters, Bigfoot, Universal Movie Monsters, Freak-shows, and several other topics, and never spending enough time on any of them to feel like I was more informed after reading. Produced by Johns Hopkins University Press in collaboration with The Sheridan Libraries. Hafez Poems Five of Our Favorites from the Divan of Hafez, N.T. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Human beings made him declare "war" by treating him like an enemy. He states that he knows James King and Osvaldo Cruz, but only casually. Steve also states that he was not at the drugstore on the day of the crime but was walking around thinking about his movie. Steve is about to stand trial for felony homicide. Continue to start your free trial. Howard Thurman Books An Introductory Reading Guide. For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. Probably more 3.5 stars. Evil brutes exist inside and outside American neighborhoods. Component 2: Summary. "New light" evangelists of the eighteenth century, enslaved African Americans, demagogic politicians, and modern American film-makers have used the devil to damn their enemies, explain the nature of evil and injustice, mount social crusades, construct a national identity, and express anxiety about matters as . Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. Highly recommended for horror or monster fans with an interest in American history; slightly less so for American history buffs with a hobby in monster entertainments. James King has his own lawyer, Asa Briggs. Monsters in America is lively and entertaining throughout. Poole brings to life American horror stories by framing them within folk belief, religion, and popular culture, broadly unraveling the idea of the monster. I am fiercely passionate about two things: History and Monsters. I heard the author on Coast to Coast, and even though he had that dry, flat Midwestern accent (sort of like Margaret Hamilton in "The Wizard of Oz") I knew I had to get the book. Baylor Univ, $29.95 (296p) ISBN 978-1-60258-314-6 From 19th century sea serpents to our current obsession with vampires and zombies, history professor Poole (Satan in America) plots America's. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. His footnotes have left me with a massive pile Poole walks readers through the American history of monsters, matching horror trends to American epochs, where it turns out our sociopolitical climate influences the monsters we laud and follow in fiction, film, and the media. I feel like the author did a great job at deconstructing America's social issues and how they connect to the monsters/fears/entertainment of the time. They Poole offers an insight on America's fascination with monsters. Poole wants to tell a story and take his readers on a journey, and he definitely does so. Synopsis: From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Harmon explains that in his cell. Christopher Columbus came to the Americas searching for gold, slaves, and monsters. Dallas Willard Books Seven Essential Titles to Read! With Monsters in America, W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. Free trial is available to new customers only. You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. What would be made of the differences of the heavy, utilitarian coffee cups of the 1940s compared to the cups featuring Gary Larson cartoons so popular in the 1990s? Monsters highlight both the positives and negatives in any society, and as such, require the reader to open ones mind and accept that the history taught in history books may not be the truth. Please try again. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Frontier wilderness beasts, Freddie Krueger, witches of Salem, alien invasions, and freak show oddities are some of the monstrous creatures. From Victorian-era mad scientists to modern-day serial killers. Poole invites us into an important and enlightening, if disturbing, conversation about the very real monsters that inhabit the dark spaces of America's past. At times in the book a movie director is taken at his word, the reason for his film given authorial intent. Reprinted by permission. American history comes at us dripping with gore, victims lying scattered on the ground, eldritch moonlight revealing creeping horrors you never learned from your eighth grade history textbook. This is an amazing book. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Not only is it written in a fun, easy to relate to voice, but it is also chock full of info. W. Scott Poole, Monsters arrived in 2011and now they are back. Pooles excoriation of one homogenous grouping belies the essence of the problem which is our human nature. The old newspaper adage still holds true today. They are created to explain racism, cover up worse monstrosities and signal changes and the state of the nation at the time. Jacques Ellul Books An Introductory Reading Guide. While some may believe that there was no conflict between the settlers and the natives, and that, they just coexisted peacefully. I was thrilled to find a book that went with that mindset. Copyright 2023 That's What She Read. All affiliate income is used to support the blog. It blends popular culture and American history to present a unique perspective oh why and how we create and perpetuate the monsters we fear most. It felt more like I was reading a college midterm (not even open book), and less like strong literary criticism. Perhaps monsters are made in our society more purposefully than we realize. 2715 North Charles StreetBaltimore, Maryland, USA 21218. The book made a few strong points, but ultimately it was a mediocre read. We are sorry. Sabbath Books Best Reads for Christians on Rest and Sabbath! Monster is told as a first-person account by Steve Harmon, a Black teenager on trial for felony murder in New York. All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Steve spends his time making movies about himself, often with Jerrys help. Best Bob Dylan Books Biographies, Lyrics, and More! Fall 2022 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! America, like all nations, is made up of monstrous human beings. )1980-present and discuss ways in which the monsters of the era are the products of historical change, conflict and context. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Stamped on American culture, the phrase brings to mind images of costumes, plastic masks, and parents holding the hands of little monsters as they collect candy calories. Monsters in America does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. It is a frightening world we live in, yet the horrific things in our literature and culture play a vital part in helping us reach some understanding, and even some peace about them. The second edition of Monsters leads readers deeper into Americas tangled past to show how monsters continue to haunt contemporary American ideology. Novelist Sheri Holman calls the book "a subversive masterpiece.". Often fascinating attempt to look at monsters through the lens of American history, Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2011. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. Monsters in America Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting. the bell witch, the roanaoke colony, etc.) If you view everything that has happened in the last ten thousand years as an atrocity committed by (American) White Anglo-Saxon Protestant men against the wide-eyed, helpless, innocent (and rather stupid) non-male/non-white world in a concerted race (or gender where convenient) war and stolidly ignore all contrary evidence, the world is full of monsters. This proven textbook also studies the social location of contemporary horror films, exploring, for example, how Get Out emerged from the context of the Black Lives Matter movement. Discount, Discount Code (254) 710-3164. Browning's research, including extensive field work in New Orleans, has uncovered a subculture of . In 2016, he wrote the Bram Stoker Finalist _In the Mountains of Madness: The Life and Extraordinary Afterlife of H.P. Well-researched and insightful, the writing of the text is also energetic and engaging. Monsters in America argues that historical, political and social conditions produce narratives of horror and create "monsters." Choose one of the following periods 1.) Monsters in America. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Please try again. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past, Monsters in America uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity. I also think this could've used a second editor before being published as there are many typos and grammatical errors, as well as a few points that could've used some fact-checking. The evidence that Poole provides . A well informed, thoughtful, and indeed frightening angle of vision to a persistent and compelling American desire to be entertained by the grotesque and the horrific. Insightful and brilliant! Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror, On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears. The author radically departs from the notion that monsters are a metaphor for our fears through the ages. It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. Both belief about the supernatural and the supernatural itself creates creatures which slither into our thinking-being-behaving. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Vampira) to explore the history of American sexuality, gender relations and the rebirth of the horror film in post-WW2 America. In Monster, Walter Dean Myers tells the story of Steve Harmon's trial. Through the two and a half weeks I took with this book, I have been citing it in conversation.