“Fear is the most powerful emotion in the human race and fear of the
unknown is probably the most ancient. You are dealing with stuff
everybody has felt…If you are making a horror film, you get to play
with the audiences feelings.”
John Carpenter
Horror movies originate from fictional work that portrays the dark side of life with the primary aim of frightening and terrifying its audience. By presenting horrifying images, of several incorporating sub-genres and repeated themes, such as vampires and werewolves, demonic possessions, evil children, cannibals and zombies, alien invasion and mindcontrol, film makers like John Carpenter create a world where the worst nightmares become true. According to the adolescents who are providing the genre’s target group, monster movies always deal with the irresistible temptation of the unknown and forbidden, and therefore shock with a horrific impact of terrifying elements. (...)
Since horror and monster movies stand for an important part of the American film industry and with it of its popular culture throughout the last eight decades, it is useful to look at the development of the horror genre in its historical and cultural context, and thus to focus again on the question of interpretive perspective. As horror movies, despite all obscurity, still deal with real fears of a society or the urge to break with social conventions, concentrating on the change of themes, styles and characters of the genre, means to learn more about the American collective consciousness and what was bothering a whole society during the 20th century.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The History of the Horror Genre
- 2.1. Horror of the 1930s and 1940s
- 2.2. Horror of the 1950s and 1960s
- 2.3. Horror of the 1970s and 1980s
- 2.4. Horror of the 1990s
- 3. The Affection for Horror Movies
- 3.1. Monster Movies: A Sexual Theory (Essay by Walter Evans)
- 3.2. Why We Crave Horror Movies (Essay by Stephen King)
- 4. Conclusion – Horror as the Maligned Genre
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the history and cultural significance of horror movies within American popular culture. It examines the evolution of the horror genre across different decades, analyzing changing themes, styles, and character portrayals. The paper also investigates the reasons behind the enduring popularity of horror films, considering perspectives from both academic and popular sources.
- The historical development of the horror genre in American cinema.
- The reflection of societal anxieties and cultural values in horror films.
- The psychological and sociological impact of horror movies on audiences.
- The interplay between horror and other genres (e.g., science fiction).
- Different theoretical perspectives on the appeal of horror films.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by establishing the central question: how do horror movies function within American popular culture? It introduces the core concept of fear as a powerful emotion, highlighting the genre’s exploitation of audiences' anxieties about the unknown. The chapter also briefly previews the paper's scope, outlining its investigation into the historical trajectory of the horror genre and its reflection of societal concerns. It flags the analysis of two key essays that offer contrasting perspectives on the appeal of horror movies.
2. The History of the Horror Genre: This chapter provides a chronological overview of the horror genre's evolution throughout the 20th century. It emphasizes the genre’s dynamic relationship with broader societal anxieties and cultural shifts, illustrating how evolving themes, styles, and characterizations mirror the collective consciousness of different periods. The chapter lays the groundwork for a deeper exploration of how specific historical contexts influenced the portrayal of horror on screen.
3. The Affection for Horror Movies: This chapter delves into the reasons behind the enduring appeal of horror movies. It explores two contrasting theoretical perspectives presented in essays by Walter Evans and Stephen King, respectively. The inclusion of these diverse viewpoints allows for a multifaceted discussion about the underlying psychological and sociological factors contributing to the widespread fascination with and consumption of horror films. The chapter examines the potential for both positive and negative audience engagement, prompting further reflection on the cultural impact of this genre.
Keywords
Horror films, American popular culture, genre history, societal anxieties, cultural reflection, psychological impact, theoretical perspectives, monster movies, Walter Evans, Stephen King.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a paper exploring the history and cultural significance of horror movies in American popular culture. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What topics are covered in the paper?
The paper examines the evolution of the horror genre throughout the 20th century, analyzing changing themes, styles, and character portrayals. It investigates the enduring popularity of horror films, considering academic and popular perspectives. Specific topics include the historical development of the genre, the reflection of societal anxieties, the psychological and sociological impact on audiences, the interplay with other genres, and different theoretical perspectives on the appeal of horror.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into four chapters: an introduction establishing the central question and scope; a historical overview of the horror genre; an exploration of the reasons behind the genre's enduring popularity, including analysis of essays by Walter Evans and Stephen King; and a conclusion summarizing the paper's findings.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the historical development of the horror genre in American cinema; the reflection of societal anxieties and cultural values in horror films; the psychological and sociological impact of horror movies on audiences; the interplay between horror and other genres (e.g., science fiction); and different theoretical perspectives on the appeal of horror films.
What essays are analyzed in the paper?
The paper analyzes essays by Walter Evans ("Monster Movies: A Sexual Theory") and Stephen King ("Why We Crave Horror Movies"), offering contrasting perspectives on the appeal of horror films.
What is the time period covered by the historical overview?
The historical overview of the horror genre covers the 20th century, broken down into decades starting from the 1930s.
What are the keywords associated with the paper?
Keywords include: Horror films, American popular culture, genre history, societal anxieties, cultural reflection, psychological impact, theoretical perspectives, monster movies, Walter Evans, Stephen King.
What is the central question addressed by the paper?
The central question is: How do horror movies function within American popular culture?
What is the conclusion of the paper?
The conclusion summarizes the paper's findings regarding the role of horror films in American popular culture, potentially focusing on horror's position as a genre.
Who is the intended audience for this paper?
The intended audience is likely academic, given the structured approach, inclusion of theoretical perspectives, and citation of scholarly works. The detailed preview suggests it's intended for readers familiar with academic writing conventions.
- Quote paper
- Sarah Rehberg (Author), 2004, Horror movies as a part of American Popculture, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/70912
