to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. American Monsters: A History of Monster Lore, Legends, and Sightings in America - Kindle edition by Godfrey, Linda S.. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. W. Scott Poole. Bloodshed and hatred are universals in human nature and Pooles book is a very unsettling history of its American manifestation. Sometimes it can end up there. The image freezes as the screenplay ends. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past, Monsters in America uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity. Please use a different way to share. 1945-1960 2.) I appreciated that in this second edition he shows how our language of the monstrous has played a role in instances like the police shootings of unarmed black people and how visions of dread play into Donald Trump's rhetoric. Author: W. Scott Poole Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books ): "Monsters are not just fears of the individual psyche, historian Scott Poole explains, but are concoctions of the public imagination, reactions to cultural influences, social change, and historical events. "Rue Morgue" magazine called it "the best biography of H.P. Connect with him online at: C-Christopher-Smith.com, "This book will inspire, motivate and challenge anyone who cares a whit about the written word, the world of ideas, the shape of our communities. From 19th century sea serpents to our current. Reprinted by permission. Monster presents through the obvious things, for example, krakens or werewolves. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. It was just way too "all over the place" for me. For Professors: Exam Copies. Just watch any local news program and you'll see what I mean. Evil brutes exist inside and outside American neighborhoods. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. It's no secret that America is a little messed up. Petrocelli refers to the defendants as monsters in the community. She then calls two witnesses. C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Bolden testifies that he bought cigarettes from Bobo Evans and that Evans told him about the robbery. Steve tells his story through handwritten notes as in a journal and a typewritten screenplay. A.They would back the federal government against another state B.They would support, What issue was at the root of the nullification crisis of 1832, which turned many Virginia Republicans against Andrew Jackson? Mary Oliver Essays 10 Prose Selections to Read for Free Online! Insightful and brilliant! Not only do they continue to live in our midst, but, as historian Scott Poole shows, these monsters are an important part of our pasta hideous obsession America cannot seem to escape.Pooles central argument in Monsters in America is that monster tales intertwine with Americas troubled history of racism, politics, class struggle, and gender inequality. Component 2: Summary. Our main man wonders how anyone can get used to the slammer. What could we extrapolate on the ways we lived and what we believed during each era? Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! Monster is a 1999 young adult novel by Walter Dean Myers. Its not a salacious book, either. This proven textbook also studies the social location of contemporary horror films, exploring, for example, how Get Out emerged from the context of the Black Lives Matter movement. (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. Jacques Ellul Books An Introductory Reading Guide. Monsters in America. However, his interpretations and implications are nothing less than threatening to whatever status quo our authorities would prefer us to maintain. Reading this for research for a paper I am writing for a creative nonfiction class for college, but what an interesting book regardless! I was pretty fascinated through this whole book. Foregrounding the racism and injustice of the legal system, the novel is a crime story, a courtroom drama, and an account of a young teens search for identity. Fall 2021 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! Excerpt. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. Just about all the scarey things that crawl into popular media hail from the leaf-littered shadowy forests that haunt the American mind. For him, this place is the opposite of realhe has to do everything in front of strangers. If you, like me, are both a person that loves old monster movies and cares about history, you'll find this book to be a fun read. With Monsters in America, W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. He is also the author of _Monsters in America_ from Baylor University Press (2011)._Monsters_ explores the American fascination with vampires, zombies, serial killers and even sea serpents, showing how these creatures of our dark obsessions help us to understand the dark and foreboding places in American history. Vampira) to explore the history of American sexuality, gender relations and the rebirth of the horror film in post-WW2 America. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! He is the author of several books, including a biography of H.P Lovecraft, which became a Bram Stoker award finalist, and Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror. It is not just about film and fiction, but the cultural events that mirrored the works on the screen and in our nightmares. Poole offers an insight on America's fascination with monsters. Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2012. He is the author of several books, including a biography of H.P Lovecraft, which became a Bram Stoker award finalist, and Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror. All affiliate income is used to support the blog. I. Poole is also a Professor of History at the College of Charleston where he teaches courses on monsters in American history, Satan in folk belief and pop culture and the history of religion and race in American life . The opening chapter introduces several motifs that will be present throughout the story. More than mere metaphors, they are creations of human fears and human ignorance. A must read for fans of horror and monsters! A monster, in most cases, is something that challenges human morality or customs, or rather, a single group of people's moralities. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. In Monster, Walter Dean Myers tells the story of Steve Harmon's trial. In 2009, Poole published _Satan in America: The Devil We Know__ (Rowman and Littlefield), a cultural history of the image of Satan in American religion, history and popular culture. Fall 2022 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. She identifies James King as being one of the two young men. I took copious notes in the margins, and will be using this book frequently as I continue to work on my own YA horror fiction (e.g. Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror, On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears. If you're looking for an introductory book to the subject, it's a great resource. We are led to believe that bloody movies portray the sinister seditions of social conservativismthe ultimate grim reaper. Freedman, Jonathan. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. creating and saving your own notes as you read. These monsters are created by multiple aspects of society and give meaning to the culture as well. Whats worse is how these monster images exist even until today. Victor sees the monster's point of view and agrees to create a mate for the monster. Social commentary may drive sub-text but money drives the movie. 20% Visit the new website for more about the book, upcoming events, and to keep up with Scott Poole's blog. There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. The Theology of the Early Christians 10 Free Classics! I had to read this for a class (one I wasn't too stoked about, if I'm being honest) and went into it with a pretty closed mind. With Monsters in America, W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. Newer movies like "Terminator," shows what happens when we place our trust in machines. Societal values impact individuals only as much as we understand an individuals values. I wasn't ready for the overtly sociological approach of the book, and was expecting a history, as alluded to in the title of the book. Edna St. Vincent Millay Five of our Favorite Poems ! I highly recommend this for fans of the horror genre and anthropology. Acknowledgements: Thank you to Kelly Hughes from Dechant-Hughes for my review copy! Historian W. Scott Poole distinguishes himself by focusing on the American context, providing a history told through the personified expressions of our anxieties and fears. Hafez Poems Five of Our Favorites from the Divan of Hafez, N.T. All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. Even fewer scholars do so as adeptly and as entertainingly as W. Scott Poole. "New light" evangelists of the eighteenth century, enslaved African Americans, demagogic politicians, and modern American film-makers have used the devil to damn their enemies, explain the nature of evil and injustice, mount social crusades, construct a national identity, and express anxiety about matters as . Go to BN.com to get your copy of these helpful resources. Discount, Discount Code Continue to start your free trial. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. Then it is OBriens turn to present the defense of Steve. Monster is told as a first-person account by Steve Harmon, a Black teenager on trial for felony murder in New York. The book made a few strong points, but ultimately it was a mediocre read. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past, Monsters in. All opinions expressed are uniquely my own. Monsters in America does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. It is a frightening world we live in, yet the horrific things in our literature and culture play a vital part in helping us reach some understanding, and even some peace about them. Monster is a 1999 young adult novel by Walter Dean Myers. Definitely would recommend it as a quick read and dive into monster history, as well as a great resource to find other books the author recommends to look into more! Even fewer scholars do so as adeptly and as entertainingly as W. Scott Poole. March 4, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 This book is quite well researched, makes a few interesting connections, and is very accessible. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. . Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, Baylor University Press (January 15, 2014). This book is really good, a look at our monsters in a social conceptional way. Based on new findings and bursting with new interpretations, it offers newcomers and old fans of the America's great horror writer new insight into his life, work, and continuing influence. Martin Luther King, Jr. His Prophetic Faith in 15 Quotes, Important Discipleship and Formation Books A Reading Guide Fall 2020, Frederick Buechner Books An Introductory Reading Guide. Hes never less than canny on the pop culture angle: Dracula and Frankenstein are almost everywhere in the book, his insights into the fear of zombies are sharp, the comparison of Patrick Bateman and Dexter Morgan is inspired, and the analysis of fifties icons like Vampira and the Addams family are very good. Lovecraft in print. Flashbacks in Steves screenplay show Steve playing on the streets, listening to Mr. Sawicki, his film club mentor, and hanging out with James King and Osvaldo Cruz. Dallas Willard Books Seven Essential Titles to Read! Thanks to Poole's insights we see the ubiquity of the monster lurking in and around us. He tells his story through handwritten notes and a typewritten screenplay. Available An unexpected guilty pleasure! Anne Bradstreet Poems Five of our Favorites by the Puritan Poet! Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Now and Always,The Trusted Content Your Research Requires, Now and Always, The Trusted Content Your Research Requires, Built on the Johns Hopkins University Campus. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. InMonsters in America,Scott Poole asks these thought-provoking questions while traveling through American history following the evolution of the monster over time. Author W. Scott Poole takes a look at America's fascination with the macabre in his book. Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2014. I feel like three stars is generous for a book that did not bring me any new insights, but it was neither especially good nor especially bad. The pages are littered with characterizations which demonize only a conservative set of ideas. His new book, forthcoming this fall and available for pre-order, is _Wasteland: The Great War and the Roots of Modern Horror_. session with vampires and zombies, Poole plots America's past through its fears in this intriguing sociocultural history. Copyright Thats What She Read 2009-2013. From Victorian-era mad scientists to modern-day serial killers, new monsters appear as American society evolves, paralleling fluctuating challenges to the cultural status quo. Highly recommended." Jenn's Bookshelves "In Monsters in America, Scott Poole expertly weaves together folklore, media studies, and some of the more disturbing moments in American history to remind us of the vital roles monsters play in our culture. Monstrosities exist in us and therefore they are all around us. The defense rests after Sawickis testimony. The book reflects on the. While some may believe that there was no conflict between the settlers and the natives, and that, they just coexisted peacefully. )1980-present and discuss ways in which the monsters of the era are the products of historical change, conflict and context. 335 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 in. We can anticipate either alien salvation or judgment from beyond. American history from the past to the present. Name: Kim Hoan Tran Dr. Che 07/08/2019 Summary Paper Summary of Monstrous Beginning In Monster in America written by W. Scott Poole, especially the chapter called "Monstrous Beginnings". They are manifestations of our society. What becomes disturbingly apparent is that most of Americas hatred of the Other is based in Christian religious belief. Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting, Review, Title Page, Copyright, Dedication, Epigraph, Preface: With a Warning to the Unsuspecting Reader, Introduction: The Bloody Chords of Memory. The new edition extends this analysis to shed light on some of the darker developments in recent American political culture. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! An excellent study for any student of history or media but also fun and accessible for any fan of monsters and the movies. Indeed, the reader may struggle as I did with the leaps Poole makes between monster movies and American social ills. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. St. Augustine Best Books on His Life and Work, Holy Sonnets John Donne Complete Text. Produced by Johns Hopkins University Press in collaboration with The Sheridan Libraries. Omer-Sherman, Ranen. Monsters refuse to be cordoned off in only one nationality, ethnicity, religion, or political mindset. 2023 Project MUSE. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. But honestly, most folks go to horror films for what they would say is the hell of it. Some people enjoy being scared, period. She continues to assert that Steve served as the lookout for the robbery and is as guilty as the others. Usually just called Athena, this goddess emerges from Zeus's head fully-grown and armed. Consulting newspaper accounts, archival materials, personal papers, comic books, films, and oral histories, Poole adroitly illustrates how the creation of the monstrous "other" not only reflects society's fears but shapes actual historical behavior and becomes a cultural reminder of inhuman acts. BUY . Monsters in America does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. Poole has set the bar ridiculously high for any future research exploring the locus of historical and cultural studies, particularly as it pertains to the horrific. Monsters In America challenges, enlightens, and, quite honestly, frightens in its prescient view of American history, as well as the seeming ubiquity of the monsters of our past and probable future. The fear of anything not considered normal or not well-understood e.g. For me, there are intertwined. Project MUSE promotes the creation and dissemination of essential humanities and social science resources through collaboration with libraries, publishers, and scholars worldwide. Spring 2021 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! that Poole have used to describe the events of . Poole seeks to undermine myths of American exceptionalism by locating monsters that he believes exist outside our psyche, in history. Renews March 11, 2023 From Victorian-era mad scientists to modern-day serial killers, new monsters appear as American society evolves, paralleling fluctuating challenges to the cultural status quo. Theme of monsters and identity synthesis and argument essay, Finaldocx, July 3092 Satisfied Bourassa to Attend Meeting on Unity August 692 Unity Accord, 4303C3A4-8682-474F-B21B-2E5B65A0CB1A.jpeg, Up to now it is still uncertain why Beatty made the decisions to wait until all, Q4 Which method did the earliest spam filter use to stop spam Select one, A Identify a health problem and risk factors that are linked to low or no fitness activity.docx, Question 28 The established that the church would be free of royal dominion and, Answersto2 Answersto2 Xguiltyofattemptedmurderbecauseshehas, The unified database will be critical in achieving the goal of JIT manufacturing, Exam Topic 1 Which of the following would BEST provide detective and corrective, Mistakes made in the system analysis stage show up in Select one a system, What precedence did Virginian leaders set in their rhetoric concerning the nullification crisis of 1832? Please provide specific examples to support your answers. Poole agrees telling us early and often You are the main character in this terror-filled little tale (xviii). While Poole is an academic his book is anything but dry. Bram Stoker Award finalist W. Scott Poole is the author of numerous books and articles on monsters and mayhem in popular culture. OBrien gathers her papers and moves away, leaving Steve standing with outstretched arms. Interesting as a surface-level exploration of "Monster Theory". We are sorry. The kind of monsters depends on the era. Study Guides, Friday afternoon, July 17th & December, 5 months later. "The American past reads like something of a horror movie, maybe even a low-budget slasher. Browning's research, including extensive field work in New Orleans, has uncovered a subculture of . Please try again. | Other times Poole relies too heavily on social interpreters for his connections. (Christopher James Blythe, Florida State University, (John W. Morehead, editor, www.TheoFantastique.com). Read the chapter-by-chapter Summary & Analysis, a Full Book Summary, or Full Book Analysis of Monster. W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston, where he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. This is an amazing book. A.Slavery B.States' rights C.Internal improvements D.Westward expansion. In Virginia's sectional differences, what natural boundary marked the dividing line between the traditional thinkers and those desiring reforms to have greater representation? Alien invasions prompt the authors apt comment, The otherness of the monster can embody the sum of all fears but also an escape from fear (131). Specifically, he discusses how the stories like "Pocahontas" and "The. I hated this book. ", Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. 2715 North Charles StreetBaltimore, Maryland, USA 21218. There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. Enter your email address to subscribe to That's What She Read and receive notifications of new posts by email. Monster is usually used to reflect an individual's actions; especially, it shows for the wrong act of people. Simplistic and not incredibly thoughtful, but useful for my purposes, Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2012. Want 100 or more? The two defense counsels, OBrien and Briggs, establish that the witnesses are testifying for the State in return for reduced sentences. An excellent history of the American obsession with monsters, Poole analyzes our religious and nationalist beliefs to see how we have dealt with the Other in our long, horrifying existence as a nation. From early American ghost stories to Jordan Peeles Get Out (2017), Scott Poole expertly tracks the importance of monsters and monstrosity in American culture. I would love something like this for the UK. 2023 Baylor University Press. Poole argues that "Monstrous metaphors in American historical life have a way of becoming realthey are intertwined with attitudes and social structures that make the monster possible. In the follow-up to his first book, Satan in America, Poole has now turned his attention to the monsters that inhabit American cinema and American imaginations. Purchasing Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter& download your FREE copy of this ebook! I suppose history could be read into just about any object. I found it to be a perfect model for critical thinking about the social representations of various popular monsters, and the book led to wonderful class discussions. "Angels, Monsters, and Jews: Intersections of Queer and Jewish Identity in Kushner's "Angels in America."" PMLA 113, no. I am fiercely passionate about two things: History and Monsters. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. You'll also receive an email with the link. Here's where you'll find important quotesfrom Monsterand explanations of them. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past, Monsters in America uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity.Monsters are not just fears of the individual psyche, historian Scott Poole explains, but are concoctions of the public imagination, reactions to cultural influences, social change, and historical events. Analysis The monster tells Victor:"You must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being." Victor refuses and then later relents to the monster's wishes. All rights reserved. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. I had to read this for a class (one I wasn't too stoked about, if I'm being honest) and went into it with a pretty closed mind. Discount, Discount Code Another witness testifies that King is left-handed. Steve records suicidal thoughts and violent prison incidents. "Sick," published by Abrams/Amulet). See a complete Character List for Monster, as well as in-depth analysis of its most important characters. Its a story that begins with the history of the dark lady of late night horror and branches out into a discussion of the Beats, Bebop Jazz, the birth of rock and roll and the social protest movements of the 1960s. Lewis Biography (And Other Biographies /Companion Guides)! In fact, perhaps our own beliefs about monsters and their intractable nature help to produce the monsters we fear the most., I've had a question for a long time. She coaches Steve on how to answer questions on the witness stand. Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. Not only is it written in a fun, easy to relate to voice, but it is also chock full of info. Sometimes it can end up there. Dracula (1931) is based on the fear of foreigners and disease. Best Bob Dylan Books Biographies, Lyrics, and More! This well-written and thought provoking book examines what scares us and what monsters in popular entertainment have to say about our fears and values in society. His footnotes have left me with a massive pile Poole walks readers through the American history of monsters, matching horror trends to American epochs, where it turns out our sociopolitical climate influences the monsters we laud and follow in fiction, film, and the media. Monsters arrived in 2011and now they are back. In the follow-up to his first book, Satan in America, Poole has now turned his attention to the monsters that inhabit American cinema and American imaginations.
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