...Nina Ciccotelli Horror Fiction Horror fiction was created to make readers afraid of what they are reading and what was going to happen next. Horror fiction is most definitely used in mostly all of Edgar Allen Poe’s stories. A great example of when I saw horror fiction was in the Black Cat. Whenever he began to cut his cats eyes out with a pocket knife or a pen or some sort, that was a horrifying site to imagine. The cat loved him, but he snapped and the cat was his first victim. Shortly after that, he killed his wife because she tried to stop the horrible thing he was doing to his cat. These things are horrifying to even think about being done to the people and things you love. Example of horror fiction was from the movie Super 8. Whenever that train crashed, and that monster came around as a result, strange things began to happen. I would say they were pretty horrifying. People in their little town began to disappear and nobody knew why. They later found out it was because of this monster. But nobody could figure out how to get rid of it or when it was going to strike next. That was the horrifying part, not knowing. I personally have never read anything that deals with horror fiction for a few reasons. I do not enjoy being scared. So I try to read happy things! I’m typically a nervous person. But what horror fiction means to me is not knowing what horrible thing is going to happen next in a story. Or maybe, who is going to come after you next? Kind of like my earlier...
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...notice about this assignment is that elements of it are modeled off of previous assignments. This is deliberate, as they’ve given you practice at this type of argumentation. This special topic section of English Composition II has focused upon the horror genre as practiced by American writers. We’ve read and discussed several works from horror authors over the course of the nation’s history, and considered in-depth longer fiction from the 20th Century horror icon Shirley Jackson. We’ve also delved into popular culture, examining comic books and, time permitting, television shows and movies. For this essay, you’ll be asked to pick another horror story (see The Topic section for some ideas) to add to this course’s discussion. In the interest of time, I suggest a short story, but you could read a novel for this project as well. More specifically, your essay should do the following things: (1) Provide your readers unfamiliar with your chosen text some context about the work, including a brief summary of the story. Likely, this would occur in your first support paragraph after your introduction. (2) Review the story. This is your opportunity to argue whether or not the text makes for a “good read.” You may turn to the elements of fiction that we’ve worked on this semester as a way of detailing why you feel the way you do about the book. You might also turn to any reviews or analysis of the tale or its subgenre that you’ve uncovered in your research – and incorporate ideas from these...
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...thriller, whilst also touching on horror at points (the murders). The Avengers Assemble has a hybrid genre of sci-fi, action and fantasy. I will be looking at the parts of these movies that are typical of the genres that they are categorised in. The first text I will explore is Sightseers. In black comedies and crime, the iconography and location is often rural countryside; so Sightseers is challenging the conventions of the crime genre – often held in places associated more with ‘gangsters’, e.g. council estates, rougher areas (perhaps more populated) as opposed to the peaceful nature of the countryside. The choice of a caravan park adds a feeling of tranquillity and isn't an immediate location that springs to mind when it comes to thinking about the crime genre - so Ben Wheatley, the director, who has directed black comedies in the past, will have wanted to challenge the conventions of these movies. The comedy aspect is explored within quite a few scenes, the jokey comments that Tina is making to her mum at the beginning of the movie (where she repeats 'mum' several times, which is becomes quite humorous). The sort of humour used does challenge the conventions of a comedy as there are no out and out jokes, but some of the shots used such as Tina throwing food inside a bears mouth create a shock factor, that also makes you laugh - this is another way in which Ben Wheatley has challenged the conventions. Black comedy and the touches of horror are brought in through the various...
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...A famous scene from one of the first notable horror films, Nosferatu (1922) Horror is a film genre seeking to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's primal fears. Horror films often feature scenes that startle the viewer; the macabre and the supernatural are frequent themes. Thus they may overlap with the fantasy, supernatural, and thriller genres.[1] Horror films often deal with the viewer's nightmares, hidden fears, revulsions and terror of the unknown. Plots within the horror genre often involve the intrusion of an evil force, event, or personage, commonly of supernatural origin, into the everyday world. Prevalent elements include ghosts, aliens, vampires, werewolves, curses, satanism, demons, gore, torture, vicious animals, monsters, zombies, cannibals, and serial killers. Conversely, movies about the supernatural are not necessarily always horrific.[2] Contents [hide] 1 History 1.1 1890s–1920s 1.2 1930s–1940s 1.3 1950s–1960s 1.4 1970s–1980s 1.5 1990s 1.6 2000s 2 Sub-genres 3 Influences 3.1 Influences on society 3.2 Influences internationally 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External links [edit]History [edit]1890s–1920s See also: List of horror films of the 1890s, List of horror films of the 1900s, List of horror films of the 1910s, and List of horror films of the 1920s Lon Chaney, Sr. in The Phantom of the Opera The first depictions of supernatural events appear in several of the silent shorts...
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...King: father, husband, most famous horror writer of all time. With many successful books, Stephen King has quickly made himself the most renowned author of the horror genre and can prove it from the countless awards he has received like the British Fantasy Award, Edgar Grand Master Award, and Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction. Because so many of his books are successful, many of them have been adapted into mini series on television or even into movies. Most notably the screen adaptations for The Shining (1980) and It (1990 and 2017) are what most people immediately think about....
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...enjoy horror movies so much? It is the same kind of concept, something scares and disgusts us, but when it comes to horror films, shows, and etc. we find it to be pleasurable at the same time. Noël Carroll believes that the thing that attracts us to unpleasant feelings, like being scared and disgusted, is due to the monster. The monster is why there is a paradox of horror. Humans are extremely curious beings of life. Doctor Who season 4 episode 11, “Midnight”, demonstrates Carroll’s philosophy behind why people enjoy horror. “Midnight” starts off with the Doctor trying to convince his partner in crime to join him on a visit to a waterfall made of sapphires, which is located on the planet called Midnight, but she refuses, and the Doctor gets on the Crusader Tour Bus with seven strangers. On his way to Midnight Palace, the bus stops due to “engine” problems; however the Doctor quickly figures out that the Crusader Tour Bus is in perfect condition. The mechanic seems to see an odd shadow that appears to be running toward them, but the driver says its nothing and that help is on the way, reassuring the passengers and the bus attendant that everything will be fine. Suddenly, a random but constant knocking begins. The plot has finally come to the “monster”. The passengers start panicking and guessing what could be knocking: a person or maybe rocks falling. But it is neither, the viewer is now eager to find out who or what is knocking. Carroll states, “because horror fictions are predicated...
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...For most readers, the name of Edgar Allan Poe has become a byword for horror and fear. Moreover, the images and motifs created by the novelist had an immense influence on the following generations and works of other authors, so that they even became immersed into the popular culture. Poe’s memorable images and quotes became an integral part of the world’s cultural heritage, giving inspiration to the horror movie script writers and novelists. As a result, many fans of the horror genre don’t even rate Poe’s contribution at its true value, taking his efforts for granted. For nearly two centuries so far, Poe has been providing realistic images of morbidity, fear and the horror of life to everyone who is interested in the genre or makes parallels between fiction and certain moments in life. The biography of Edgar Allan Poe is full of mystery which can be explained by his own passion for exaggeration and fantasies, which confused biographers who were trying to learn about his life from his works or his own words. However, most biographers agree that Poe hardly knew his parents and when biographers claim that he was a spoiled child, they mean the family who adopted Edgar. Edgar was born in a family of young actors. His father was an alcohol addict, whose addiction went so far that he even was drunk on the stage. Once he left his wife and kids and nobody saw him ever again. Edgar’s mother fell ill and died when Poe was only a child. That’s how Edgar was adopted by the Allens, the family...
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...edition of An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. There will have to be many tough decisions made on selections of literature that should be in the next edition. I would like to offer you a suggestion on a piece that I find very interesting and should be used in the next edition. That is a poem by Wilfred Owen “Dulce et Decorum Est.” I consider myself to be a bit of a war buff, and this poem gives you the feeling that you are there in the trenches with the men. Wilfred Owen is able to give you a first person point of view of war through his poem. Owen uses great visual imagery on what life is like during trench warfare to help you feel like you are there beside him during the horrors of war. I beg of you to include Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est” in the next edition! Throughout the poem Owen uses visual imagery to get his message of the horrors of war through. In An Introduction, to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing you define visual imagery as “Often this experience is a sight . . .” (751). When reading “Dulce et Decorum Est” Owen gives the ability to visualize what is going on constantly throughout the poem. Owen is able to use visual imagery to show you the shape the men are in during the battle and what chaos goes on during a gas attack. Owen also uses visual imagery about the nightmares he deals with after the war. Many poems leave a lot to be interpreted, but Owen uses visual imagery to eliminate interpretation and give exactly what is happening. Through...
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...mouth” in 1967 with the largest U.S military offensive occurring in February. The war represented a time of ambiguity with American participation being sold on the basis of the “Domino theory” however by 1967 the public’s opinion on the war had split with protest being a regular occurrence. It was a time of public unrest and upheaval showing a cultural anxiety which is reflected within “I Have no Mouth, and I Must Scream”. What Subgenre does it adhere to? In relation to the historical patterns of science fiction “I Have no Mouth and I Must Scream” can be categorised within the “New Wave” phase of science fiction that occurred approximately within the 1960’s and 70’s. The text fits the idea of being a social science fiction where although the catalyst of the narrative is a technological change the main focus is on the social environment that caused that change, and the social implications of the advanced technology as a metaphor for existing human conditions. However the text is better described within the subgenre of a Dystopian Science Fiction where the characters experiences complete suffering and oppression based on a...
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...thriller, Science Fiction seems to fit it all in but still have its own unique identity. Is this why it appeals to so many? As Reported By ReJohnson. Looking around at movie advertisements shown on billboards, bus stands and television, it’s hard to miss the growing popularity of science fiction movies and books in modern society. Though still not as popular as genres such as Action and romance, many people have found an interest and love for science fiction. Over the past decade, there have been over 300 Science Fiction movies released. Statistics show that 5 in every 10 movies released in today’s society is science fiction. Many of them hitting the top ten list and have been nominated or have won major awards (e.g. Avatar which won 3 Oscars, the Golden Globe etc.). So why does it appeal to modern day audiences? It seems that in modern society, no matter how you look at it, Science fiction is a genre that can appeal to each individuals taste making it appealing to almost anyone. Though it is mainly based around an imagined future and scientific and technological advances, directors and producers have created a scale as to how ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ the science fiction movie is. While Hard Science Fiction focuses mostly on the speculation of the future as seen in the award- winning Matrix, Soft science Fiction focuses more on the entertainment of the audience and allowing them to escape from reality as seen in the X-Men series. One of the main reasons science Fiction appeals to many...
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...For most readers, the name of Edgar Allan Poe has become a byword for horror and fear. Moreover, the images and motifs created by the novelist had an immense influence on the following generations and works of other authors, so that they even became immersed into the popular culture. Poe’s memorable images and quotes became an integral part of the world’s cultural heritage, giving inspiration to the horror movie script writers and novelists. As a result, many fans of the horror genre don’t even rate Poe’s contribution at its true value, taking his efforts for granted. For nearly two centuries so far, Poe has been providing realistic images of morbidity, fear and the horror of life to everyone who is interested in the genre or makes parallels between fiction and certain moments in life. The biography of Edgar Allan Poe is full of mystery which can be explained by his own passion for exaggeration and fantasies, which confused biographers who were trying to learn about his life from his works or his own words. However, most biographers agree that Poe hardly knew his parents and when biographers claim that he was a spoiled child, they mean the family who adopted Edgar. Edgar was born in a family of young actors. His father was an alcohol addict, whose addiction went so far that he even was drunk on the stage. Once he left his wife and kids and nobody saw him ever again. Edgar’s mother fell ill and died when Poe was only a child. That’s how Edgar was adopted by the Allens, the family...
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...Enter an era in Hollywood’s most imaginative and speculative science, both classic and modern periods known as the science fiction genre that cinematically altered the conventional based narratives of filmmaking and character definition with elements of fantasy and horror. When French filmmaker Georges Méliès made Le voyage dans la lune (A Trip To The Moon) in 1902 it was considered to be the first science fiction film ever created. The next tremendously influential and landmark film came from Fritz Lang’s Metropolis in 1927, an impressive and visually stunning motion picture full of German Expressionism. Born from the pages of novels and pulp magazines, intrepid filmmakers and screenwriters of the 1930s and 1940s would venture into the...
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...Geneva, where much of the story takes place, and the topics of galvanism and other similar occult ideas were themes of conversation among her companions, particularly her future husband, Percy Shelley. The storyline emerged from a dream. Mary, Percy, Lord Byron, and John Polidori decided to have a competition to see who could write the best horror story. After thinking for weeks about what her possible storyline could be, Shelley dreamt about a scientist who created life and was horrified by what he had made. She then wrote Frankenstein. Frankenstein is infused with some elements of the Gothic novel and the Romantic movement and is also considered to be one of the earliest examples of science fiction. Brian Aldiss has argued that it should be considered the first true science fiction story, because unlike in previous stories with fantastical elements resembling those of later science fiction, the central character "makes a deliberate decision" and "turns to modern experiments in the laboratory" to achieve fantastic results.[1] It has had a considerable influence across literature and popular culture and spawned a complete genre of horror stories, films, and plays. Since publication of the novel, the name "Frankenstein" is often used to refer to the monster itself, as is done in the stage adaptation by Peggy Webling. This usage is sometimes considered erroneous, but usage commentators regard the monster sense of "Frankenstein" as...
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...Marek Hullinger Mike Fiscel English W132 26 September 2013 From Tribes to Literature The word Goth derives from a German tribe referred to as the Goths. The term Gothic was later used during medieval times for the construction of buildings with pointed arches and vaults (Lad). In my essay, I chose to discuss two pieces of Gothic fiction. The first piece of Gothic fiction I decided to discuss is, “The Cask of Amontillado.” It was published in 1846 by the famous short-story writer and poet, Edgar Allan Poe. The second piece of Gothic fiction I chose to discuss is, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” It was published in 1966 by Joyce Carol Oates. In Gothic literature there any many characteristics to its writing and famous short-stories such as “The Cask of Amontillado” and “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” contain many of those Gothic fiction characteristics. Summary “The Cask of Amontillado” is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe. Montresor is the main character of the story and also acts as the narrator. The story begins by him vowing his vengeance towards Fortunato for insulting him. Montresor hides his animosity towards Fortunato so he does not expect anything. He maintains a deceiving presence towards Fortunato and plots to exploit Fortunato’s weakness for luxurious wines. Carnival season came upon the city and Montresor finds Fortunato at the carnival. He invites him to try some of his sherry at his home. Montresor doubts Fortunato’s skill with...
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...gothic tradition of the eighteenth century in the nineteenth century. Furthermore, it has been argued that the magazine’s gothic works were constructed in a way that suited the style, format and the political ideals of the publication to cater for the newly wider literate audience, but also for the highly educated Tories. However, what needs to be considered is how gothic fiction became successful within a magazine that was politically driven. This popularity could be as a result of the introduction of what is known as the tale of terror. The tale of terror was a new type of fiction that graced the pages of Blackwood from 1818. It was a product of the gothic romances of the late eighteenth century that had proven to translate its popularity within the following century. Among these tales, there was an affiliation with everyday society. Therefore, these gothic tales had the purpose of creeping off the page and into the daily life of the reader, causing a significant impact on the readership and societal structures. This contrasts with the gothic tradition of the eighteenth century as fiction of this kind tended to remove itself from society, making the horror a separate...
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