Commentary On Rhetorical Analysis Of Horror Movies By Stephen King
In the introduction to Kendall Phillips’ book, “Projected Fears,” he discusses “horror films that made such an impression on American culture that they became instantly recognizable and, indeed, redefined the notion of what a horror film is.” (Phillips 3). This list of movies includes many favorites, such as Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Scream. Phillips later states his thesis, “...my argument in this book is that these [movies] are the most ‘successful’ and ‘influential’ in American history and that their level of success and influence can be correlated to broader cultural anxieties into which they somehow tapped” (Phillips 3).
Stephen King is a well-known American author of many contemporary horror and science-fiction books. According to King, we crave horror movies because "we're all mentally, ill those of us outside the asylums only hide it a little better" (King, 598).”Why We Crave Horror Movies” was first published January of 1981 in a Playboy magazine, it has now transitioned from a magazine to a college text book. During this time, he proposes three causes of the popular appeal of horror movies. When writing this essay king is conversing with a various group of different people about horror movies. In this paper, Stephen King expresses the rhetorical strategies ethos, pathos, and logos to convey his reasoning that those who engage in horror movies all have
The American obsession with spectatorship is a phenomenon created by the inaccessibility of timely and relevant knowledge. This oddly leads to an increase in the demand and likeability of terror. In her piece “Great to Watch”, Maggie Nelson explores the origins of this fascination with horror and gives an
In the reading "Why We Crave Horror Movies," Stephen King writes about why we enjoy watching good horror movies which frighten us. He discusses how our emotions get to the point that we can not handle anymore, and they have to be released. These emotions make us feel anxious and challenge us to do more in life. Horror produces anxiety, but the decisions that we make in life challenge us more. There are many decisions in life that make us challenge ourselves.
Why we crave horror movies by Stephen King. King states how everyone is mentally ill in there own way and we crave the tempted desire to be scared. When approaching a roller coaster we look for the best one. The one with the most turns and the biggest drops we also do this when choosing a scary movie, we daire the nightmare to be scared. As humans we always try and seek for the violent, hence why people like watching Football and UFC for the thrill of the roller coaster ride with the ups, downs, and the unknown of what will happen next.
There are multiple people who are intrigue and love horror movies without knowing the reason. In Stephan Kings essay, “Why We Crave Horror Movies” he does his best to find an answer to the question “why do people crave horror movies?” Throughout his essay he came up with certain key points to answer the question. At the beginning of his essay, he makes a bold statement that “we are all mentally ill.” He motions that people just watch horror movies to portray their fearlessness while suppressing their true emotions.
According to Lemony Snicket, “[You should] never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them” and writer Stephen King presumably would agree. In On Writing, pages one forty-seven through one fifty, King uses diction, critical and ardent tones and figurative language, to highlight the significance of reading and how it benefits a writer. King utilizes diction to persuade aspiring writers to read regularly. He writes, “I take a book with me everywhere I go, and find there are all sorts of opportunities to dip in.” (147) “Waiting rooms were made for books—of course!
Beginning with Psycho (1960), American culture has been obsessed with the gender implications of horror films. Feminists and non-feminists alike have explored the meanings of the roles of different women in horror films ranging from slasher and stalker movies to possession movies. What does this obsession reveal about our social values and our society’s fears? Prior research has focused on the feminine being portrayed through one of two major tropes: the final girl or the monstrous girl. These tropes have traditionally been seen as two very separate entities, each symbolizing differing views of femininity.
In horror films, the “emotions of the audience are supposed to mirror those of the positive human characters” (Baguette & Drumin, 2011, p. #55). “The characters’ responses counsel us that the appropriate reactions to the monsters in question comprise shuddering, nausea, shrinking, paralysis, screaming, and revulsion” (p. #55). Horror films also have a “genuine fears that even a momentary end of being is a horror
In the article “Why Do We Crave Horror Movies” King shows the idea of why humans crave to watch horror movies. To watch horror movies, people show to others that they have no fear of these things. King’s argument is that the horror films is a way for people to get the sense of normality. King believes that “We also go to re-establish our feelings of essential normality; the horror movie is innately conservative, even reactionary” (King 16). Re-establishing our feelings of essential normality allows us to release our emotions and enjoy our time watching horror films.
In his entertaining essay, “why we crave horror movies”, stephen king begs the question what if we are all insane. Kings observes within this mental disturbed ness there seem to be different levels of madness. King realizes that in relation to these levels there seem to be different punishments yet some are better at hiding their insanity and thus can go undisturbed for the most part. King recounts how those of us who seem to hide it well dare fear by attending horror films because we simply can't help ourselves yet with this (as with other things) age brings a wiseer perspective and this foolishness dwindles. He describes how we also use these movies as a way of self reassurance, that there is something worse than what lies in the mirror.
We as humans crave the need for entertainment and adrenaline rushes, but we all show it in diverse ways. Without the need for entrainment and adrenaline rushes, places like the movie theaters and Six Flags would not be in business. We fulfill our need by watching the latest horror movie, whether to show that we are not afraid or to show that we entice the adrenaline rush. The latest horror box office movie is IT, coincidentally the movie is based on a novel from Stephen King. I recently went to go watch this movie, for the sole reason of entertainment.
In the essay Why We Crave Horror Movies, Stephen King apprises us, the audience, about the craving we humans have to be frightened. In addition, King suggests that horror movies satisfy our atypical and morbid cravings because horror movies deliberately appeal to all that is worst in us. Personally, I revel in watching movies due to the fact that it allows me to let loose, unwind, and relax. Furthermore, my favorite movie genre is adventure. Adventure movies exercises my creative and imaginative skills.
I will summarize his essay and give two reasons as to why I don’t agree with parts of his essay. Although, I do agree with King’s belief that horror films are a craving for society for various reasons; however, I disagree that by watching such films, it can keep society from acting out in violence. King’s purpose for the essay is to expand our understanding of why people enjoy watching horror films. He believes that not only is it a trend
It then can be interpreted that the horror films help people cope with their inner issues. She said, “viewing motivations are found to be related to viewers’ cognitive and affective responses to horror films, as well as viewers’ tendency to identify with either the killers or victims in these films” (Johnston). The unspoken topic, a person’s fears in this case, is not directly brought up but in is able to subconsciously bring up the viewer’s fears as he or she watches how the mother
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