monsters in america sparknotes

Purchasing Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting. After a minute elapses from the time David, Billy and Brent enter the store, a man, Jeff Miller, a local townsperson, flies into the market, bloodied and frantic. Baylor Univ, $29.95 (296p) ISBN 978-1-60258-314-6 From 19th century sea serpents to our current obsession with vampires and zombies, history professor Poole (Satan in America) plots America's. Honoring authors by not reading other reviews ahead of time, I anticipated simple engagement with monstrous intrigue of the horrendous and hideous. Poole presents his findings methodically through well-documented facts and similar studies. Contact us Browning's research, including extensive field work in New Orleans, has uncovered a subculture of . Briggs makes the first closing argument in the case. 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. Continue to start your free trial. Emily Dickinson Poems Seven of our Favorites! Monsters, he says, are "cultural constructions of the terrible that define what it is we subconsciously fear and what it is we're told to hate or love.". 1 (1998): 90-102. Numerous scholars explore the cultural and political implications of monster and horror films for the times from which they emerge. Few scholars connect such implications across broader expanses of time to reveal how intrinsically monsters and the horrific have been bound up in the history of America. uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity. Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter& download your FREE copy of this ebook! Through the two and a half weeks I took with this book, I have been citing it in conversation. The Best C.S. See a complete Character List for Monster, as well as in-depth analysis of its most important characters. religious texts and newspaper accounts of "satanic panics" into a highly readable analysis of the concept of the devil in American cultural history. You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. Wed love to have you back! that Poole have used to describe the events of . All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. John Wesley Sermons - The 7 Best Sermons from the Founder of Methodism. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. Please try again. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. One Bear Place 97363, Waco, TX 76798-7363 Christopher Columbus came to the Americas searching for gold, slaves, and monsters. 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. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past. 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. If you will, a shining city on hill built on the bodies of natives, blacks, women, and anyone else we dont like very much. Bram Stoker Award finalist W. Scott Poole is the author of numerous books and articles on monsters and mayhem in popular culture. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. 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. Scott - For All Who Hunger - Feature Review, Mattix & Thomas, Eds - Christian Poetry in America Since, Copyright 2023 The Englewood Review of Books. I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Powells Books and IndieBound. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. Thoughts: What makes a monster a monster? . When social conservatives oppose something, like - say -. When, meeting the natives, he saw their way of life as barbaric and uncivilized. 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. The Theology of the Early Christians 10 Free Classics! The book won the John Cawelti prize from the Popular Culture Association for the best book published in pop culture history for 2011. Poole does justice to judgment; the focus of some horror films. The little monsters who come to our doors for candy at Halloween are small reminders of our large problem. Poole never assumes a 1-1 metaphor, but he does show how common themes (the reemergence of the vampire at different points in American history, for example) are useful shorthand for working through these anxieties. Both belief about the supernatural and the supernatural itself creates creatures which slither into our thinking-being-behaving. Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2012. She asks the jury to recall how Steve conducted himself on the witness stand and to compare Steve with Sal Zinzi, Bobo Evans, and Osvaldo Cruz before they decide who is believable. Picked up on a whim, I certainly got the expected analysis of horror movies as a way for Americans to understand and react to their culture, but the author also makes the (very strong and well supported) argument that far from being a way to understand the world around us, monsters are also used by those in power to crush those without under their heel while also ignoring and excusing the fact that they're doing so. American history comes at us dripping with gore, victims lying scattered on the ground, eldritch moonlight revealing creeping horrors you never learned from your eighth grade history textbook. Sometimes it can end up there. Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. wish it felt more american- some of the trends were too broad, and I wish thered been more emphasis on early America (e.g. 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. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. 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. 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. Excellent examination of horror movies evolution through the years and also how societal happenings influence the movies at the time they are made. 1945-1960 2.) Lewis Biography (And Other Biographies /Companion Guides)! We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. She coaches Steve on how to answer questions on the witness stand. (one code per order). We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. An excellent study for any student of history or media but also fun and accessible for any fan of monsters and the movies. As W. Scott Poole's text will serve as the conceptual framework for the course, this assignment seeks to promote regular critical engagement with the text. Human beings made him declare "war" by treating him like an enemy. A well informed, thoughtful, and indeed frightening angle of vision to a persistent and compelling American desire to be entertained by the grotesque and the horrific. In his comments on the 1931 "Frankenstein" W. Scott Poole, relates that the idea of the "abnormal brain" that Fritz grabs for Henry Frankenstein being the cause of the monster's murderous mentality being a reflection of the "scientific rascism" of the day. While real monsters do exist, the reality of our own monstrosities mirrors not a national heritage as much as our human heritage. The opening chapter introduces several motifs that will be present throughout the story. InMonsters in America,Scott Poole asks these thought-provoking questions while traveling through American history following the evolution of the monster over time. 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. Paperback; 9781481308823; Published: July 2018; $34.99. In "Monstrous beginnings," the introductory chapter of "Monsters in America: Our Historical, Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting" by W. Scott Poole, the author makes an argument, about how monsters were not only used as entertainment, but were also used as an excuse to, justify the offenses done to the Native Americans as well as the slaves brought from Africa by, the European settlers. Please wait while we process your payment. W. Scott Poole, Monsters arrived in 2011and now they are back. Would that Poole could have written a chapter on one of the liberal American horror shows: 50 million babies slaughtered through this countrys abortion industry. I'm just saying that throughout the country's history, there have been some pretty dark times. Please use a different way to share. What would be made of the differences of the heavy, utilitarian coffee cups of the 1940s compared to the cups featuring Gary Larson cartoons so popular in the 1990s? He decides to make a movie about his experience. His footnotes have left me with a massive pile of additional books to read. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! For him, this place is the opposite of realhe has to do everything in front of strangers. Imprint: Baylor University Press. I used this as a textbook for a themed English course: Monsters, Myths, and Magic. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. In some ways, this felt more like a book about racism and sexism on celluloid and in politics than a book about "Monsters." I want to start out by saying that I absolutely love the notion behind this book. No longer just something that goes bump in the night, Mr. Poole showcases that monsters have more meaning and shed more insight into society than one might have previously suspected. 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. He reminds the jury of the witnesses criminal records and contends that their unreliability casts reasonable doubt on Kings guilt. Course Hero is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. Steve records suicidal thoughts and violent prison incidents. Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, Baylor University Press (January 15, 2014). (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. 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. A well informed, thoughtful, and indeed frightening angle of vision to a persistent and compelling American desire to be entertained by the grotesque and the horrific. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! "Rue Morgue" magazine called it "the best biography of H.P. The author radically departs from the notion that monsters are a metaphor for our fears through the ages. Monsters and American History W. Scott Poole offers many unique explanations for the creation and story telling of monsters in his essayMonsters in America.Poole examines the cultural history of the monster and how it intersects with American history. If it bleeds, it reads. The atheist taught that inflicting suffering while enjoying the process is human nature. Poole brings to life American horror stories by framing them within folk belief, religion, and popular culture, broadly unraveling the idea of the monster. In Virginia's sectional differences, what natural boundary marked the dividing line between the traditional thinkers and those desiring reforms to have greater representation? At times in the book a movie director is taken at his word, the reason for his film given authorial intent. Salvatore Zinzi, a prisoner at the Rikers Island jail, testifies that another prisoner, Wendell Bolden, told him about the drugstore robbery. The jury returns verdicts of guilty for James King and not guilty for Steve Harmon. , Poole has now turned his attention to the monsters that inhabit American cinema and American imaginations. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Monsters arrived in 2011and now they are back. It blends popular culture and American history to present a unique perspective oh why and how we create and perpetuate the monsters we fear most. Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. 2715 North Charles StreetBaltimore, Maryland, USA 21218. I thought this was gonna be about different monsters from American folklore. Michelangelo Biographies Best Books on the Renaissance Artist! Dallas Willard Books Seven Essential Titles to Read! Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. Steves parents are glad he is home, but the distance between Steve and his father is growing. He compares himself with the other prisoners. Bolden testifies that he bought cigarettes from Bobo Evans and that Evans told him about the robbery. is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. ", 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. (Gary Laderman, Professor of American Religious History and Cultures, Emory University), (J. Gordon Melton, Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion). Stamped on American culture, the phrase brings to mind images of costumes, plastic masks, and parents holding the hands of little monsters as they collect candy calories. Discount, Discount Code Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2012. In this way he resembles Frankenstein, who alienates himself by pursuing forbidden knowledge. But honestly, most folks go to horror films for what they would say is the hell of it. Some people enjoy being scared, period. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. but on the whole, an engaging and thought provoking read. Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021. He states that he knows James King and Osvaldo Cruz, but only casually. Just watch any local news program and you'll see what I mean. Victor sees the monster's point of view and agrees to create a mate for the monster. Highly recommended. I suppose history could be read into just about any object. While Poole is an academic his book is anything but dry. Poole states that, in actuality, that the Europeans saw the natives. Well-researched and insightful, the writing of the text is also energetic and engaging. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. Twelve Important Theology Books of 2021!!! Sometimes it can end up there. Call me crazy, but I don't think a historian's role ought to be the reaffirmation of modern feelings of superiority over everyone else who has ever lived. for a group? Indians, the physically disabled, African-Americans, deep-sea animals or mammals, science is a powerful motivator and caused society to vilify those that do not fit the acceptable mold. on 50-99 accounts. The book is rich in history, pop culture references, and analysis. Especially enlightening is the the animistic portrayal and subsequent fear of African-Americans that has permeated society since they were first brought to the Americas on slave ships. Satan in America tells the story of America's complicated relationship with the devil. does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. He argues that our myth of conquering the monster has made us particularly inclined to turn other groups of human beings into monsters and to justify their oppression or domination. (The medical examiners evidence suggests that the shooter was probably right-handed.) There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. Another problem for Steve is that James King, a young Black hood, is Steves co-defendant. All rights reserved. After Steve testifies, OBrien puts Mr. Sawicki, his film teacher, on the stand. He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. 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. Eastern Orthodoxy Essential Books [A Reading List]. 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. Monsters in America has without a doubt earned a spot on my favorite books of 2011. 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. serial killers, each generation faced its own challenges and highlighted its fear within its own monsters. She identifies James King as being one of the two young men. I do wish the author would've delved into certain subjects more as he did the last half of the book which was very compelling. An interesting and accessible overview of the link between American history and the monsters that fascinate them. At the very end, Poole implies that for what has gone before, it could very well get worse. These summaries should not . Steve also states that he was not at the drugstore on the day of the crime but was walking around thinking about his movie. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Monster is told as a first-person account by Steve Harmon, a Black teenager on trial for felony murder in New York. for a customized plan. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Frontier wilderness beasts, Freddie Krueger, witches of Salem, alien invasions, and freak show oddities are some of the monstrous creatures. This is an amazing book. Best Bob Dylan Books Biographies, Lyrics, and More! Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. Here's where you'll find important quotesfrom Monsterand explanations of them. Perhaps monsters are made in our society more purposefully than we realize. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Academic, yet very accessible, I was fascinated by this book, and it holds a very special distinction as the only book I was required to buy for a college class that has Poole's book is fantastic, a terrific look at what makes monsters in film resonate in American culture. Steve is about to stand trial for felony homicide. One wishes for a consistency in commentary. For me, there are intertwined. I love ghost stories and folklore because they reveal an aspect of history and popular thinking in an entertaining way. 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. 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You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. She continues to assert that Steve served as the lookout for the robbery and is as guilty as the others. Component 2: Summary. 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.Monsters in America is now online at www.monstersinamerica.com. $24.99 From 19th century sea serpents to our current Publishers Weekly session with vampires and zombies, Poole plots America's past through its fears in this intriguing sociocultural history. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! . ", In 2014 he published _Vampira: Dark Goddess of Horror_ that looked at the life of 1950s horror host Maila Nurmi (a.k.a. Academic, yet very accessible, I was fascinated by this book, and it holds a very special distinction as the only book I was required to buy for a college class that has earned a permanent place on my bookshelf now that the class is over. 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. (Christopher James Blythe, Florida State University, (John W. Morehead, editor, www.TheoFantastique.com). Acknowledgements: Thank you to Kelly Hughes from Dechant-Hughes for my review copy! Subscribe now. Renews March 11, 2023 Associated with war, cleverness, and wit, it is no surprise that she favors Odysseus. Lovecraft in print. By adding new discussions of the American West, Poole focuses intently on the Native American experience. 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. Definitions of the monster, he adds, change over time and with each generation. We can anticipate either alien salvation or judgment from beyond. is available now and can be read on any device with the free Kindle app. Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. Steve is about to stand trial for felony homicide. No historically reflective Christian would disagree with Pooles castigation of wrongdoings by some Americans. Whether your interest is literature, American history, popular culture, race and ethnicity, women's studies, or religion, you would be happy reading this book. March 4, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Poole stays far away from polemic and sticks to the facts. Monster is told as a first-person account by Steve Harmon, a Black teenager on trial for felony murder in New York. They are manifestations of our society. Fifteen Important Theology Books of 2022!!! They are created to explain racism, cover up worse monstrosities and signal changes and the state of the nation at the time. OBrien reminds jurors of reasonable doubt and states firmly that Steves guilt has not been proven. The history of the United States offers a chamber of horrors, with clergy transforming the Native American other into demonic beings, mad scientists turning state-funded laboratories into torture chambers, and the photographic revolution of the Victorian era turning toward a morbid fascination with the bodies of the dead and the creation of the category of 'gore.' The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Highly recommended for horror or monster fans with an interest in American history; slightly less so for American history buffs with a hobby in monster entertainments. 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. All affiliate income is used to support the blog. W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston. 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. I heard the author on Coast to Coast, and even though he had that dry, flat Midwestern accent (sort of like Margaret Hamilton in "The Wizard of Oz") I knew I had to get the book. Monstrosities exist in us and therefore they are all around us. Evil brutes exist inside and outside American neighborhoods. What I discovered is that Poole should have written two books: his perspective on American history, another on monsters. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Anne Bradstreet Poems Five of our Favorites by the Puritan Poet! Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2014. A.Slavery B.States' rights C.Internal improvements D.Westward expansion. That's What She Read by From 19th century sea serpents to our current Publishers Weekly session with vampires and zombies, Poole plots America's past through its fears in this intriguing sociocultural history.

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