Stephen King Why Do We Crave Horror
Why Do We Crave Horror? Horror is a genre that has been used by many throughout time, and more often than not, people worldwide enjoy a good thrill. Though the thrill we receive today is a bit more tame than in 246 BC, which was a time when gladiators would fight beasts of nature like tigers or even other gladiators. Many gathered to watch the duels with family as something they all could enjoy. To feel the same enjoyment as everyone else. Today we do just that, though watching a beheading in today’s time would be heinous and traumatizing. Rather we watch classic cabin in the woods films or an average family attempting to ward off a demon. Though the way we view horror has changed, the feelings those films bring us has not. In Stephen King’s
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essay, “Why Do We Crave Horror” explains his three main claims that people want to face their fears, re-establish feelings of normalcy, and we want to have fun. Facing our fears is something most people can’t begin to imagine, whether it be the realization of inevitable death or the fear of those icky, hairy-legged arachnids spinning delicate webs in the corner.
In fact, Paul J. Patterson, Ph.D., assistant professor of English and co-director of Medieval, Renaissance and Reformation Studies at Saint Joseph’s University explains that, “You can see throughout history how each generation has defined ‘horror,’ and it turns largely on the idea of something outside of our understanding threatening us. Books and films allow us to imagine or experience our desire to defeat what is hunting and haunting us on a splashy canvas.” In other words, watching horror films help the viewers face their fears without confronting it physically. More like they’re facing it mentally as they watch characters fight for their lives and face their own demons. As part of the human condition we experience fear, nearly everyone is afraid of the same thing, death. The viewers are really, “daring the nightmare” throughout the movies (King, “Why We” 1).The biggest realization that they too are on the journey of life which eventually ends in death. Though it isn’t likely that you’d be taken down by cannibalistic psychopath but the thought of such things gives keeps you thinking as well as on the edge of your
seat. Another equally important claim within King’s essay “Why We Crave Horror” is that we watch horror films to re-establish our feelings of normality. Like every other person in the world, people want to fit in. To experience the bliss of feeling as normal or perfect as the girl who everyone likes. Every book and movie in the horror genre portrays characters similar to everyday people the jock, bookworm, the introvert etc. Why is that? They do this to create an empathetic link between them and the viewer, to feel normal. That every other person shares the same traits and emotions. As an illustration of this, in “Strawberry Spring” King wrote that the narrator was “busting” his “brains on a Milton essay since seven” (2). Everyone has experienced the annoyance of being stuck on an assignment for multiple hours, brewing up with frustration. As part of the human condition we feel these emotions, it's just a part of life ,or in other words, feeling normal. Horror movies push our buttons containing our similar emotions such as fear and thrill. Even the feeling of release or the satisfaction of seeing the girl who chose to run upstairs rather than through the front door meet her demise. While we can all laugh at the shrieks of fellow friends in utter horror as the murder pops out to claim another victim, horror movies remind us that “we are still light years away from true ugliness” (King, “Why We” 1). Another key point is that we indulge in horror films and stories is to simply to have a “peculiar sort of fun” (2). Resisting the urge to burst out laughing or simply facepalm at the idiotic and thoughtless plans the characters form is hard. Though the characters aren't the only thing that sparks the feeling of enjoyment. The feeling of release and flickers of insanity are able to be free, since those feelings get repressed and thrown into the back of the mind. If everyone is insane then the sanity of others come in a spectrum, most couldn't bring themselves to maim a poor innocent woman like the women in “Strawberry Spring”. For most having a dark sense of humor as the books and films go on is enough to satisfy the gators within us all. Everyone can enjoy a dark joke even as brutal as they come. Why? Because it allows basic instincts to roam free and “ it appeals to the worst in us”(3). The human race is a dark aggressive species, pleasure from such jokes is embedded with genes. As it is put into play every year since the beginning of time. As a part of man we share the insanity of man. King’s claims are as close to the truth as much as we can or want to deny it. Whether or not it’s preferring to indulge in horror films or gossiping behind another’s back. Horror does indeed unleash the monsters inside us all. As part of the human condition, it is natural for us to feel the joys,thrills, and sense of release when we watch or read horror. Beneath our skin we are evil beings, unlike every other creature on earth we capable of making decisions. We are far more capable of doing bad things than any other being. But that won’t happen will it? No, of course not. As long as we keep the “gators fed” they will stay below and we will stay up here.
essay, “Why Do We Crave Horror” explains his three main claims that people want to face their fears, re-establish feelings of normalcy, and we want to have fun. Facing our fears is something most people can’t begin to imagine, whether it be the realization of inevitable death or the fear of those icky, hairy-legged arachnids spinning delicate webs in the corner.
In fact, Paul J. Patterson, Ph.D., assistant professor of English and co-director of Medieval, Renaissance and Reformation Studies at Saint Joseph’s University explains that, “You can see throughout history how each generation has defined ‘horror,’ and it turns largely on the idea of something outside of our understanding threatening us. Books and films allow us to imagine or experience our desire to defeat what is hunting and haunting us on a splashy canvas.” In other words, watching horror films help the viewers face their fears without confronting it physically. More like they’re facing it mentally as they watch characters fight for their lives and face their own demons. As part of the human condition we experience fear, nearly everyone is afraid of the same thing, death. The viewers are really, “daring the nightmare” throughout the movies (King, “Why We” 1).The biggest realization that they too are on the journey of life which eventually ends in death. Though it isn’t likely that you’d be taken down by cannibalistic psychopath but the thought of such things gives keeps you thinking as well as on the edge of your
seat. Another equally important claim within King’s essay “Why We Crave Horror” is that we watch horror films to re-establish our feelings of normality. Like every other person in the world, people want to fit in. To experience the bliss of feeling as normal or perfect as the girl who everyone likes. Every book and movie in the horror genre portrays characters similar to everyday people the jock, bookworm, the introvert etc. Why is that? They do this to create an empathetic link between them and the viewer, to feel normal. That every other person shares the same traits and emotions. As an illustration of this, in “Strawberry Spring” King wrote that the narrator was “busting” his “brains on a Milton essay since seven” (2). Everyone has experienced the annoyance of being stuck on an assignment for multiple hours, brewing up with frustration. As part of the human condition we feel these emotions, it's just a part of life ,or in other words, feeling normal. Horror movies push our buttons containing our similar emotions such as fear and thrill. Even the feeling of release or the satisfaction of seeing the girl who chose to run upstairs rather than through the front door meet her demise. While we can all laugh at the shrieks of fellow friends in utter horror as the murder pops out to claim another victim, horror movies remind us that “we are still light years away from true ugliness” (King, “Why We” 1). Another key point is that we indulge in horror films and stories is to simply to have a “peculiar sort of fun” (2). Resisting the urge to burst out laughing or simply facepalm at the idiotic and thoughtless plans the characters form is hard. Though the characters aren't the only thing that sparks the feeling of enjoyment. The feeling of release and flickers of insanity are able to be free, since those feelings get repressed and thrown into the back of the mind. If everyone is insane then the sanity of others come in a spectrum, most couldn't bring themselves to maim a poor innocent woman like the women in “Strawberry Spring”. For most having a dark sense of humor as the books and films go on is enough to satisfy the gators within us all. Everyone can enjoy a dark joke even as brutal as they come. Why? Because it allows basic instincts to roam free and “ it appeals to the worst in us”(3). The human race is a dark aggressive species, pleasure from such jokes is embedded with genes. As it is put into play every year since the beginning of time. As a part of man we share the insanity of man. King’s claims are as close to the truth as much as we can or want to deny it. Whether or not it’s preferring to indulge in horror films or gossiping behind another’s back. Horror does indeed unleash the monsters inside us all. As part of the human condition, it is natural for us to feel the joys,thrills, and sense of release when we watch or read horror. Beneath our skin we are evil beings, unlike every other creature on earth we capable of making decisions. We are far more capable of doing bad things than any other being. But that won’t happen will it? No, of course not. As long as we keep the “gators fed” they will stay below and we will stay up here.