The stories that we have heard as we have grown up have helped us to learn about the world around us by creating examples, as well as warnings about the experiences we may face. These stories have taught us to adapt to our surroundings, and be aware of the things going on in our world. We find ourselves able to develop because we learn by hearing stories of those who have experienced things we are going through. Stories, such as “The Hook” and Other Teenage Horrors, create a better understanding of the world around us by showing how men and women are portrayed in society, as well as discussing issues such as rape and murder, and several stereotypes. In “The Hook”, author, Jan Harold Brunvand analyzes an urban legend about a teenage couple parked on “lover’s lane.” The couple is sitting in the car when a radio broadcast comes on and warns of …show more content…
The girl gets scared and asks the boy if they can go; when they arrive at the girl’s house they find a hook on the passenger side door. In this story, the radio can be seen as the girl’s subconscious, stopping her from doing something that she will later regret. “The radio-turned on originally for soft, romantic background music-introduces instead the ‘the conscience-like voice of society,’ a warning that the girl heeds and the boy usually scorns (George and Trimbur, 337).” This example clearly introduces our first stereotype; the teenage boy taking the teenage girl to a secluded area to try to make a move. When asked if he will take the girl home, the boy gets frustrated and leaves the scene in a “great hurry” (Dundes, 337). In today’s society men are often seen as vultures, always preying on vulnerable girls. The hook handed man can also be seen as representative of the male crowd who force themselves upon women. “Girls who tell the story, Dundes suggests, ‘are not afraid of what a man lacks, but what he has’; a date who is