Introduction
From demons and dragons to vampires and werewolves, monsters have always been a part of human culture, represented in various forms, including writings, films, or legends. What makes a creature a monster, and the nature that makes it so fearsome and mentally strong, is still hotly debated. The qualities of a monster, including physical aspect, strange power, past trauma, and their roles in society, are explored to understand the monstrous aspect of a creature.
Examining the Physical Aspect: Monster and Human
The appearance of a monster is one of its main attributes. While some monsters can be inhumane, others can be human or a combination. Regardless of their structure, monsters often have actual qualities that are misconstrued, corrupted, or unusual (Erle and Hendry 14). These highlights may include abnormally large teeth, claws, or limbs, and may also be associated with deformities such as missing eyes, distorted limbs, or skin lesions.
An example of a monster’s sighting is the monster from Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. It is described as having yellow skin that barely covers its muscles and eyes that constantly move (Britton 99). Similarly, this monster is depicted with dark, puckered lips, giving it a threatening appearance.
The qualities of monsters are crucial in instilling fear and terror in readers and audiences. The presence of werewolves with their sharp teeth and claws and their ability to transform from human to creature is frightening (Gibson 11). Hence, the thought of someone becoming a monster is also horrifying since they use human fear to surrender completely and become something that cannot be felt or seen. The appearances of monsters are fundamental because they evoke an instinctive response in the viewer, trigger a survival response, and instill fear.
The Monsters’ Strange Power
Another quality of monsters is their ability to spread terror and fear. Monsters often have strange powers that set them apart from other monsters. This power can be extraterrestrial, such as the ability to shapeshift, control thoughts, or control reality.
A monster’s special strength is a fundamental trait, as it makes it appear strong and increases a sense of weakness in its victims (Bro, et al. 21). For example, Dracula’s ability to control the brain and change shape makes him a formidable opponent. How he can change his structure and move at lightning speed means he can stalk his victims from surprising vantage points, making him incredibly terrifying.
The monsters from the movie The Thing can take on the proper form of any creature that has been tainted. This strength makes it extremely difficult to recognize and overcome, creating a sense of vulnerability and weakness in the characters being pursued (Hoffman 103). The monster’s special strength is essential for its mental effects since it creates feelings of vulnerability and weakness in those who see it or are observed. The way the monsters possessed abilities beyond imagination made it incredibly unsettling.
Monsters Being Made from Past Trauma
Another aspect that makes the monsters terrifying is the possibility that they emerged from past traumas. Many monsters in writing and film are presented as the result of previous events causing great aggravation or weakness (Bro, et al. 41). This pain can be physical, homicidal, or emotional, and the resulting pain often indicates the aggravation and experiences that the person is experiencing. For example, in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a monster was fixated on creating life after his mother’s death (Britton 103). In the process, he created a monster that would eventually exterminate everything he held dear.
Also, in The Babadook, the titular monster is created from the main character Amelia’s injuries. Never fully accepting the death of her partner, she struggles to raise her child alone. Hence, the monster acknowledges her despair and grief, and he can only move on and find harmony by facing and tolerating them. The possibility that a monster could emerge from trauma is exciting since it reflects that anyone could become a monster (Shildrick 125). Traumas are part of the human experience, and the possibility that one’s anger and endurance can manifest as those of a monster is relieving to people with timid attitudes towards monsters.
The Role of Monsters in Society
Monsters in the Public Eye reveals how dreams and legends are used to explore and communicate deepest feelings of trepidation and tension. Wild monsters have invaded much of human culture, from ancient folklore to today’s thrillers, filling images of danger, doom, and an uncharted world (Hoffman 105). One way monster tales make a lasting impression on society is by providing practical examples. In many societies, monsters have been used to warn people about the risks of certain behaviors or activities. For example, the Greek legend of Medusa warns against the risk of futility, whereas the werewolf story warns against the risk of disorder and uncontrolled hostility.
Monsters have also been used to explore and convey cultural fear and tension. For example, the spread of monster stories during a virus war was intended to create an impression of the public’s fear of nuclear conflict and the potential for a global apocalypse (Erle and Hendry 39). Also, the recent flood of zombie saga fame has to be seen as an impact on people’s fear of disease.
Besides serving as an awakening and articulation of cultural anxieties, monsters also play an essential role in providing a method of escape from ordinary reality (Bro et al. 101). For some people, monster tales provide a way to overcome their most profound feelings of trepidation in an environment of protection and control. By exploring the obscure and the extraordinary, one can discover a sense of urgency and energy that is difficult to replicate in everyday life.
Monster tales significantly impact the formation of a socially creative mind. From the mythical monsters of Chinese folklore to the fabled vampires of Europe, monsters have captured creative minds and fueled countless works of writing, art, and film (Erle and Hendry 40). Examining how wild monsters have been handled and depicted in the long term provides insight into how people’s way of life has evolved and changed over time.
Conclusion
Monsters in the Public Eye reveals how dreams and legends are used to explore and communicate deepest feelings of trepidation and tension. Wild monsters have invaded much of human culture, from ancient folklore to today’s thrillers, filling images of danger, doom, and an uncharted world (Hoffman 105). One way monster tales make a lasting impression on society is by providing practical examples. In many societies, monsters have been used to warn people about the risks of certain behaviors or activities. For example, the Greek legend of Medusa warns against the risk of futility, whereas the werewolf story warns against the risk of disorder and uncontrolled hostility.
Monsters have also been used to explore and convey cultural fear and tension. For example, the spread of monster stories during a virus war was intended to create an impression of the public’s fear of nuclear conflict and the potential for a global apocalypse (Erle and Hendry 39). Also, the recent flood of zombie saga fame has to be seen as an impact on people’s fear of disease.
Besides serving as an awakening and articulation of cultural anxieties, monsters also play an essential role in providing a method of escape from ordinary reality (Bro et al. 101). For some people, monster tales provide a way to overcome their most profound feelings of trepidation in an environment of protection and control. By exploring the obscure and the extraordinary, one can discover a sense of urgency and energy that is difficult to replicate in everyday life.
Monster tales significantly impact the formation of a socially creative mind. From the mythical monsters of Chinese folklore to the fabled vampires of Europe, monsters have captured creative minds and fueled countless works of writing, art, and film (Erle and Hendry 40). Examining how wild monsters have been handled and depicted in the long term provides insight into how people’s way of life has evolved and changed over time.
Works Cited
Britton, Ronald. “What made Frankenstein’s creature into a monster?” Between Mind and Brain, 2018, pp. 97-107.
Bro, Lisa W., et al. Monsters of Film, Fiction, and Fable: The Cultural Links between the Human and Inhuman. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2018.
Erle, Sibylle, and Helen Hendry. “Monsters: interdisciplinary explorations in monstrosity.” Palgrave Communications, vol. 6, no. 1, 2020. Web.
Gibson, Gerard. “Malign by Design: Imaginatively Visualising Lovecraft and the Aesthetics of Monstrosity.” Interdisciplinary Essays on Monsters and the Monstrous, 2022, pp. 11-30. Web.
Hoffman, Andrew J. Monsters: A Bedford Spotlight Reader. 2nd ed., Bedford Books, 2019.
Shildrick, Margrit. Embodying the Monsters: Encounters with the Vulnerable Self. SAGE, 2002.