March 4, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 The guards take the bleeding dude away. Monstrosities exist in us and therefore they are all around us. but on the whole, an engaging and thought provoking read. Twelve Important Theology Books of 2020!!! History is horror. He reveals how monster stories went west to Sand Creek and Wounded Knee, bringing the preoccupation with monsters into the twentieth century through the American Indian Movement. Monsters in America is W. Scott Pooles interpretive history. That being said, however, if you are a teacher who needs to get a class full of barely literate college freshmen to understand what it means to read / think about things in historical context, Poole's introduction, "The Bloody chords of Memory," is readable and accessible even for a group of resistant and vaguely engaged (at best) 18 year olds. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. The atheist taught that inflicting suffering while enjoying the process is human nature. Our main man wonders how anyone can get used to the slammer. Steve Harmon, a Black sixteen-year-old, sits in his jail cell and writes in his notebook. The scary tales found in the classic texts remind usno matter our nationality, ethnicity, or political persuasionthe monster is us. He wrote in his journal Lewis Biography (And Other Biographies /Companion Guides)! Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. Monster in America is a literature book by W. Scott Poole. Evans states that King was his partner in the robbery and that Steve served as the lookout. 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. It is not a book on actual monsters but how Americans find monsters in different eras on social constructs. Poole's book is fantastic, a terrific look at what makes monsters in film resonate in American culture. Simplistic and not incredibly thoughtful, but useful for my purposes, Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2012. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! What I discovered is that Poole should have written two books: his perspective on American history, another on monsters. Steve is about to stand trial for felony homicide. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. Thoughts: What makes a monster a monster? Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. 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! With Monsters in America, W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. She continues to assert that Steve served as the lookout for the robbery and is as guilty as the others. 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. I used this as a textbook for a themed English course: Monsters, Myths, and Magic. Novelist Sheri Holman calls the book "a subversive masterpiece.". You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. 20% Honoring authors by not reading other reviews ahead of time, I anticipated simple engagement with monstrous intrigue of the horrendous and hideous. Copyright 2023 That's What She Read. Monster is usually used to reflect an individual's actions; especially, it shows for the wrong act of people. The two defense counsels, OBrien and Briggs, establish that the witnesses are testifying for the State in return for reduced sentences. Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021. 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. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Title and sub-title encouraged my interest in securing a copy of Monsters in America for review. 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! America, like all nations, is made up of monstrous human beings. 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. Steve writes about his fear, anger, and pain and his rising sense of panic about the outcome of his trial. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. "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 . I love ghost stories and folklore because they reveal an aspect of history and popular thinking in an entertaining way. It is lively and engaging and well researched. 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. 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). Frankenstein (1931) happens when somebody tries to make a more perfect human. Ten Important Women Theologians To Start Reading. 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. Interesting as a surface-level exploration of "Monster Theory". Insightful and brilliant! Victor sees the monster's point of view and agrees to create a mate for the monster. I often use this in my Freshman Writing courses to show that writing doesn't have to be boring. It felt more like I was reading a college midterm (not even open book), and less like strong literary criticism. Hardback: Baylor University Press, 2011. Poole states that, in actuality, that the Europeans saw the natives. Sabbath Books Best Reads for Christians on Rest and Sabbath! 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. Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, Baylor University Press (January 15, 2014). Browning's research, including extensive field work in New Orleans, has uncovered a subculture of . | Monsters in America (2nd ed.) Emily Dickinson Poems Seven of our Favorites! Monster presents through the obvious things, for example, krakens or werewolves. Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. He also makes notes about his movie and about details he observes in court. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. OBrien follows and reminds the jury that the State has not proved any of its charges against Steve. 1 (1998): 90-102. 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. Poole explains his parameters of a monsters nature from the outside, in: monsters are a product of our collective hatreds outside the human psyche. By so delimiting his interpretation, Poole mirrors his stated concern for other theories that monster interpretations are reductive and overdeterminative (13-18). 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 free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Frontier wilderness beasts, Freddie Krueger, witches of Salem, alien invasions, and freak show oddities are some of the monstrous creatures. Steve is about to stand trial for felony homicide. I seem to be having bad luck with books lately, but the writing style just didnt connect with me. But honestly, most folks go to horror films for what they would say is the hell of it. Some people enjoy being scared, period. Petrocelli presents the charges against the defendants. Asa Briggs, Kings attorney, establishes that the police have no fingerprint evidence. Sometimes it can end up there. St. Augustine Best Books on His Life and Work, Holy Sonnets John Donne Complete Text. Subject I have a lot of interest in and the author seems to have done a lot of work/research. 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. 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! "Angels, Monsters, and Jews: Intersections of Queer and Jewish Identity in Kushner's "Angels in America."" PMLA 113, no. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. Jos Delgado, an employee of the drugstore, tells how he found Mr. Nesbitts body and noticed that cash and cigarettes were missing. (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. It's organized well also: a chapter on one specific type of monster and era makes for a really focused and easy to digest historical examination. FABULOUS! The book won the John Cawelti prize from the Popular Culture Association for the best book published in pop culture history for 2011. For Professors: Exam Copies. InMonsters in America,Scott Poole asks these thought-provoking questions while traveling through American history following the evolution of the monster over time. At times in the book a movie director is taken at his word, the reason for his film given authorial intent. Design by Booyah Creative. does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. Monsters refuse to be cordoned off in only one nationality, ethnicity, religion, or political mindset. However, this book was FABULOUS! Societal values impact individuals only as much as we understand an individuals values. For my own part, I have been studying and writing about Gothic horror for some years. Edna St. Vincent Millay Five of our Favorite Poems ! It is not just about film and fiction, but the cultural events that mirrored the works on the screen and in our nightmares. The author radically departs from the notion that monsters are a metaphor for our fears through the ages. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. (one code per order). ", 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. [Pooles] book is sufficiently clear and engaging for general readers to enjoy and would make a worthwhile addition to undergraduate course in American history or culture. "Monsters in America" is a work that touches on the many facets of Horror in America. 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. Lovecraft_. Mary Oliver Essays 10 Prose Selections to Read for Free Online! Penn State folklorist Bill Ellis called the book "required reading for anyone who wants to understand the dark roots of America culture." You'll be billed after your free trial ends. religious texts and newspaper accounts of "satanic panics" into a highly readable analysis of the concept of the devil in American cultural history. They are manifestations of our society. on me, relax. When, meeting the natives, he saw their way of life as barbaric and uncivilized. 20% Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. The second edition of Monsters leads readers deeper into Americas tangled past to show how monsters continue to haunt contemporary American ideology. But too often he ascribes American injustices with little more than a metaphorical connection to monster movies. This was a great concept, but I struggled to even make it through the introduction. Highly recommended. After Steve testifies, OBrien puts Mr. Sawicki, his film teacher, on the stand. SparkNotes PLUS Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2012. Starting with the Puritan era and the fear of witches and ending with the modern-day fascination with the monsters within us, i.e. Dallas Willard Books Seven Essential Titles to Read! Freedman, Jonathan. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. 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). On Being with Krista Tippett Top 10 Best Episodes! (one code per order). Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2014. An unexpected guilty pleasure! for a customized plan. I loved this book. Through the two and a half weeks I took with this book, I have been citing it in conversation. Renews March 11, 2023 Youve successfully purchased a group discount. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. This is an important book that Id recommend very highly. It is lively and engaging and well researched. Monster is a 1999 young adult novel by Walter Dean Myers. 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. Monsters in America argues that historical, political and social conditions produce narratives of horror and create "monsters." Choose one of the following periods 1.) View all Monster is told as a first-person account by Steve Harmon, a Black teenager on trial for felony murder in New York. 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. A lot of people gave it poor reviews, maybe because they didn't like what the author plainly demonstrated, that the real monsters in America are the Americans, mainly the white Americans. Yuckfest. Not only is America guilty of creating its own horrors, failure to acknowledge monsters also creates them (23). It was just way too "all over the place" for me. (The medical examiners evidence suggests that the shooter was probably right-handed.) Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! incredibly rewarding and fulfilling reading. Monsters in America has without a doubt earned a spot on my favorite books of 2011. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. 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. Indeed, the reader may struggle as I did with the leaps Poole makes between monster movies and American social ills. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. 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. Jacques Ellul Books An Introductory Reading Guide. After Steve hears the verdict, he turns to OBrien for a hug. Steve Harmon, a Black sixteen-year-old, sits in his jail cell and writes in his notebook. Lovecraft in print. Dont have an account? Author W. Scott Poole takes a look at America's fascination with the macabre in his book. Subscribe now. Spring 2022 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! 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. Separated by significant eras in American history, a reader gets a clear picture of how the definition of a monster changes depending on the cultural and political events of an era. Antiracism Books for Christians A Reading Guide, Thomas Merton Books An Intro Reading Guide. If specters of the past still haunt our present, they may yet invade our future. Monsters in America does a phenomenal job examining American history through the lens of monsters and the monstrous. 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. Wendell Berry Poems Seven of Our Favorites! We are sorry. There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. I had trouble finding a consistent narrative in a book that talked about sea monsters, Bigfoot, Universal Movie Monsters, Freak-shows, and several other topics, and never spending enough time on any of them to feel like I was more informed after reading. There was a problem loading your book clubs. I highly recommend this for fans of the horror genre and anthropology. In Monster, Walter Dean Myers tells the story of Steve Harmon's trial.