monsters in america sparknotes

Evil brutes exist inside and outside American neighborhoods. 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! On Being with Krista Tippett Top 10 Best Episodes! Component 2: Summary. He wrote in his journal James King has his own lawyer, Asa Briggs. I hated this book. Trick-or-treat! can only mean one thingHalloween. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. These monsters are created by multiple aspects of society and give meaning to the culture as well. Imprint: Baylor University Press. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. by Michelle | Nov 30, 2011 | Books Read in 2011, P Author | 0 comments, Title: Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting, 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. In a nutshell, monsters for Poole are metaphors / stand-ins for whoever is loathed or feared in a certain historical context. The book is rich in history, pop culture references, and analysis. Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. Petrocelli, the State prosecutor, calls more witnesses to establish the facts of the crime. IE- minorities = what we are anxious about / obsessed with = the monstrous = monsters. Frankenstein (1931) happens when somebody tries to make a more perfect human. Poole brings to life American horror stories by framing them within folk belief, religion, and popular culture, broadly unraveling the idea of the monster. Wendell Berry Poems Seven of Our Favorites! Produced by Johns Hopkins University Press in collaboration with The Sheridan Libraries. Indeed, Poole interprets the meaning of the meaning, reinterpreting historical narratives infusing past story with present perception: history is horror (22). is available now and can be read on any device with the free Kindle app. Date. Instead it's more about the social function of the monsterous and why people believe what they believe and how different folkloric monsters became popular at different times in history. Sawicki states that he believes in Steves honesty as a filmmaker and as a person. I was pretty fascinated through this whole book. Monsters in America (2nd ed.) Chapters three and four in my copy of the book, for instance, are littered with questions: How did we get here? This is a logical leap! and What??! While I appreciate and agree with his argument that monsters are "real" because their effects on history / on people's lives have been real, I dislike his assumption that people in the past were the obvious victims of prejudice and misplaced fear and that they were not insightful or intelligent enough to realize what they were truly afraid of. (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon. We can anticipate either alien salvation or judgment from beyond. All rights reserved. Pooles bibliography is an additional treat as it includes many excellent books for further reading or study - "1973 Nervous Breakdown: Watergate, Warhol, and the Birth of Post-Sixties America" and "Sacred Terror: Religion and Horror on the Silver Screen" were two titles that jumped out at me thats so full that one could even write their own treatment on the subject. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. History is horror. Wed love to have you back! but on the whole, an engaging and thought provoking read. Pooles excoriation of one homogenous grouping belies the essence of the problem which is our human nature. Which one would you like to know more about and why? (Gary Laderman, Professor of American Religious History and Cultures, Emory University), (J. Gordon Melton, Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion). We've quickly looked at a wide variety of Native Cultures across the Americas. 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. 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 our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Often fascinating attempt to look at monsters through the lens of American history, Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2011. Amazon has encountered an error. Without cookies your experience may not be seamless. 62 reviews Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. Anything outside the norm brought about the birth of a monster, which can differ depending on the social, economic, cultural, or political influences of the time. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. 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. It is not a book on actual monsters but how Americans find monsters in different eras on social constructs. The State rests its case. These summaries should not . 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. [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. This exciting work blends the study of horror films, comic books, religious texts and newspaper accounts of "satanic panics" into a highly readable analysis of the concept of the devil in American cultural history. Monsters in America is W. Scott Poole's interpretive history. Subject I have a lot of interest in and the author seems to have done a lot of work/research. Thanks to Poole's insights we see the ubiquity of the monster lurking in and around us. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting. Steve Harmon, a Black sixteen-year-old, sits in his jail cell and writes in his notebook. Steve spends his time making movies about himself, often with Jerrys help. Just about all the scarey things that crawl into popular media hail from the leaf-littered shadowy forests that haunt the American mind. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. It felt more like I was reading a college midterm (not even open book), and less like strong literary criticism. After Steve testifies, OBrien puts Mr. Sawicki, his film teacher, on the stand. 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. on me, relax. Poole invites us into an important and enlightening, if disturbing, conversation about the very real monsters that inhabit the dark spaces of America's past. Before you get all "He's Anti-American!" Monsters in America is W. Scott Pooles interpretive history. In a nutshell, monsters for Poole are metaphors / stand-ins for whoever is loathed or feared in a certain historical context. Sometimes it can end up there. 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. I'm just saying that throughout the country's history, there have been some pretty dark times. Synopsis: From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Probably more 3.5 stars. Reprinted by permission. Anne Bradstreet Poems Five of our Favorites by the Puritan Poet! 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. 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. Poole summarizes, Perhaps our own beliefs about monsters and their intractable nature help to produce the monsters we fear the most (164). Mark Eckel is Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Professor of Old Testament at Crossroads Bible College. 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. Dorothy Sayers Where to Start with her Mystery Novels? White Doe" disguised the true relationship between the European settlers and Native Americans. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. The brother of Zeus and Poseidon, Hades rules the underworld, the realm of the dead, with his wife, Persephone. Available The pages are littered with characterizations which demonize only a conservative set of ideas. 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. The little monsters who come to our doors for candy at Halloween are small reminders of our large problem. It's a comprehensive look into ghoulish, weird, and woke world--10/10. March 4, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 OBrien follows and reminds the jury that the State has not proved any of its charges against Steve. Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. While real monsters do exist, the reality of our own monstrosities mirrors not a national heritage as much as our human heritage. What could we extrapolate on the ways we lived and what we believed during each era? 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. Societal values impact individuals only as much as we understand an individuals values. Some of his writings can be accessed at www.warpandwoof.org. However, his interpretations and implications are nothing less than threatening to whatever status quo our authorities would prefer us to maintain. The atheist taught that inflicting suffering while enjoying the process is human nature. I found it informative, fascinating, thought-provoking and well-written. Spring 2022 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! We are led to believe that bloody movies portray the sinister seditions of social conservativismthe ultimate grim reaper. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. 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 societys fears but shapes actual historical behavior and becomes a cultural reminder of inhuman acts.. 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. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Study Guides, Friday afternoon, July 17th & December, 5 months later. Well-written and engaging,Monsters in Americais a must-read for anyone fascinated by history or monsters or both. Steve tells his story through handwritten notes as in a journal and a typewritten screenplay. She coaches Steve on how to answer questions on the witness stand. Harmon explains that in his cell. Specifically, he discusses how the stories like "Pocahontas" and "The. Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. Even fewer scholars do so as adeptly and as entertainingly as W. Scott Poole. 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. creating and saving your own notes as you read. 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. The old newspaper adage still holds true today. that Poole have used to describe the events of . Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! A.The James River B.The, Which was NOT an attempted reform movement in antebellum Virginia? This was a great concept, but I struggled to even make it through the introduction. All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. But real monsters collect different trophies; they are no laughing matter. I would love something like this for the UK. During the robbery, Aguinaldo Nesbitt, the fifty-five-year-old owner of the store, was killed. damn good primer on monsters in America. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. Read the chapter-by-chapter Summary & Analysis, a Full Book Summary, or Full Book Analysis of Monster. 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. When, meeting the natives, he saw their way of life as barbaric and uncivilized. Purchasing However, this book was not only as easy read, but incredibly enlightening, eye-opening, and thrilling. You'll also receive an email with the link. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. 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). Detectives Karyl and Williams describe their arrival at the crime scene. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Written in an accessible, smart and entertaining way, this is a fantastic book. Both belief about the supernatural and the supernatural itself creates creatures which slither into our thinking-being-behaving. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Judging from the verbiage, Pooles sub-text for the American monster is conservative-Christian-white-heterosexual-Republican. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. I also think this could've used a second editor before being published as there are many typos and grammatical errors, as well as a few points that could've used some fact-checking. March 4, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 The new edition extends this analysis to shed light on some of the darker developments in recent American political culture. The different types of monsters, whether cultural, supernatural, or moral, all contribute to the meaning of American culture. Dracula (1931) is based on the fear of foreigners and disease. Want 100 or more? The kind of monsters depends on the era. Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. 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. It is lively and engaging and well researched. Poole presents his findings methodically through well-documented facts and similar studies. If specters of the past still haunt our present, they may yet invade our future. Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. 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. Title and sub-title encouraged my interest in securing a copy of Monsters in America for review. There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. incredibly rewarding and fulfilling reading. Monsters in America has without a doubt earned a spot on my favorite books of 2011. "The American past reads like something of a horror movie, maybe even a low-budget slasher. "Monsters in America" is a work that touches on the many facets of Horror in America. One Bear Place 97363, Waco, TX 76798-7363 In some ways, this felt more like a book about racism and sexism on celluloid and in politics than a book about "Monsters." He rightly frets over our technology which ineffectively obscures the divine and so Americans create vampire stories which take Gods place (59): Americans are still attempting to apprehend mystery in the midst of supernatural confusion (11). From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. He wonders what OBrien saw. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. 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. Jacques Ellul Books An Introductory Reading Guide. Enter your email address to subscribe to That's What She Read and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. Pooles constant harangue against anything conservative is a thin criticism to begin, stretched beyond any semblance of recognition by the end of the book. 20% Poole states that, in actuality, that the Europeans saw the natives as uncivilized people and even believed them to be monsters. is lively and entertaining throughout. Students will maintain a list of unfamiliar words they come across in the chapter. (254) 710-3164. This is an amazing book. 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. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Contact us In the end, though, I could easily see assigning parts of this book to undergraduates. (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. Please wait while we process your payment. For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. Steves lawyer, Kathy OBrien, urges Steve to take his situation seriously because this crime could put him in jail for twenty years or more. And I don't have to mention the meaning of all the zombie movies. The book takes you from the trenches at Ypres to the backlots of Universal Studios and introduces you to the artists, writers, and directors who shaped the world of horror we know today from their own encounter with the carnage of the Great War. wish it felt more american- some of the trends were too broad, and I wish thered been more emphasis on early America (e.g. Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. Hades Roman name: Pluto. 20% BUY . 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. Dorothy Moore, a cousin of Kings, testifies that King was with her at the time of the robbery. Steve calls the movie Monster because that is what the prosecutor has called him. W. Scott Poole. It was the first-ever Michael L. Printz Award recipient, an ALA Best Book, a Coretta Scott King Honor selection, and a National Book Award finalist. I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Powells Books and IndieBound. While some may believe that there was no conflict between the settlers and the natives, and that, they just coexisted peacefully. 1945-1960 2.) Insightful and brilliant! 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. Freedman, Jonathan. Petrocelli presents the charges against the defendants. The author radically departs from the notion that monsters are a metaphor for our fears through the ages. Jos Delgado, an employee of the drugstore, tells how he found Mr. Nesbitts body and noticed that cash and cigarettes were missing. Then it is OBriens turn to present the defense of Steve. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. Contact us 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. All Rights Reserved. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Fall 2021 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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.

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