In this essay titled "Why We Crave Horror Movies," Stephen King argues that humans have a natural inclination towards madness and insanity and that horror movies allow us to indulge this inclination in a safe and controlled environment (King 358-359). He suggests that people go to horror movies to prove their bravery, reaffirm their sense of normalcy, and experience the thrill of seeing others threatened and even killed (King 358-359). The author also asserts that horror movies simplify the world, permitting us to embrace our irrational and primal side (King 358-359). Humans have an insatiable appetite or thirst for horror because we are all mentally ill; therefore, the exhilaration or pleasure we derive from grotesque ideas, jokes, and images satisfies our homicidal subconscious mind to sustain civilization (King 357-359). The adrenaline rush and accompanying emotions are among the most coveted (King 357). A horror film can induce fear, apprehension, disgust, or an adrenaline rush (King 357). Therefore, frightening …show more content…
King writes that "society lavishes us with positive reinforcement when we demonstrate emotions of love, loyalty, and kindness." While negative emotions are "punished," positive emotions are praised (King 358). As a writer, he is competent to defend the horror fiction genre. One of the author's objectives is to induce fear in the reader, so King frequently employs the rhetorical device pathos (Varpio 209-210). The author attempts to show why he believes people appreciate horror films (King 358-359). King desires his readers to recall the adrenaline rush they felt as children while watching horror films or travelling on roller coasters (357). The users recalled the emotions they experienced the first time they attempted something completely