Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading American Monsters: A History of Monster Lore, Legends, and Sightings in America. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. 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. Scholars will argue over interpretation because that is what scholars do. 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. I would love something like this for the UK. Monster presents through the obvious things, for example, krakens or werewolves. Perhaps monsters are made in our society more purposefully than we realize. Steve records suicidal thoughts and violent prison incidents. Foregrounding the racism and injustice of the legal system, the novel is a crime story, a courtroom drama, and an account of a young teens search for identity. 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. , Poole has now turned his attention to the monsters that inhabit American cinema and American imaginations. Go to BN.com to get your copy of these helpful resources. An unexpected guilty pleasure! Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Steve spends his time making movies about himself, often with Jerrys help. What is it that rumbles in the American unconscious that relates to the figures we see on the screen. Please try again. C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. After Steve hears the verdict, he turns to OBrien for a hug. Steve worries about why OBrien turned away from him after winning the case. OBrien tells Steve that her job is to make him a human being in the eyes of the jury. She identifies James King as being one of the two young men. Poole brings to life American horror stories by framing them within folk belief, religion, and popular culture, broadly unraveling the idea of the monster. FABULOUS! He compares himself with the other prisoners. W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston. I used this as a textbook for a themed English course: Monsters, Myths, and Magic. Monster is a 1999 young adult novel by Walter Dean Myers. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Subscribe now. Fall 2021 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! Eastern Orthodoxy Essential Books [A Reading List]. Asa Briggs, Kings attorney, establishes that the police have no fingerprint evidence. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. 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. 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. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. Dont have an account? From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. 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. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. 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.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. 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. . for a customized plan. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. We've quickly looked at a wide variety of Native Cultures across the Americas. I seem to be having bad luck with books lately, but the writing style just didnt connect with me. Monsters arrived in 2011and now they are back. "Rue Morgue" magazine called it "the best biography of H.P. Monsters in America (2nd ed.) Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. The author radically departs from the notion that monsters are a metaphor for our fears through the ages. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% 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). Just watch any local news program and you'll see what I mean. 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. I have read Mr. Poole's work before, so I knew I was in for a treat and I was right. Why are we scared of this person? is always a question behind each chapter and Poole is careful to never reduce it purely to matters of sociology or psychology while still using those tools of analysis. The kind of monsters depends on the era. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. session with vampires and zombies, Poole plots America's past through its fears in this intriguing sociocultural history. Steve calls the movie Monster because that is what the prosecutor has called him. Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2012. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. But too often he ascribes American injustices with little more than a metaphorical connection to monster movies. Sawicki states that he believes in Steves honesty as a filmmaker and as a person. He is at home with his parents and his brother Jerry. Poole wants to tell a story and take his readers on a journey, and he definitely does so. Browning's research, including extensive field work in New Orleans, has uncovered a subculture of . Design by Booyah Creative. 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 free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. A must read for fans of horror and monsters! Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! It is an alternative view of history through something that is not necessarily studied in such depth and over such a long period of time. IE- minorities = what we are anxious about / obsessed with = the monstrous = monsters. 335 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 in. Date. Freedman, Jonathan. Thoughts on books, family, and life in one impressive package. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. But Africans were still human and had their morals, yet the Europeans saw them as a type of monster during the slave trade era. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Read the chapter-by-chapter Summary & Analysis, a Full Book Summary, or Full Book Analysis of Monster. But then, I dislike any historical book that loses its sense of historical relativity as well as any book about phenomena that automatically assumes a phenomenon is false and therefore ripe for being disproved and easily rationalized away. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. Monster is a 1999 young adult novel by Walter Dean Myers. 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. Imprint: Baylor University Press. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. This book is a wonderful introduction to American history through the lens of monsters. ", 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. He also makes notes about his movie and about details he observes in court. If it bleeds, it reads. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. that Poole have used to describe the events of . The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. by W. Scott Poole. 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. There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. Victor sees the monster's point of view and agrees to create a mate for the monster. This is such an interesting and compelling about our connection to the monstrous and the monstrous' role in expressing national anxieties in our popular media. 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. However, this book was FABULOUS! Poole offers an insight on America's fascination with monsters. The author explores American History and how people's fears and reactions to changes in society both affected and were affected by monsters in print and film. Frankenstein (1931) happens when somebody tries to make a more perfect human. Please use a different way to share. Mr. Pooles evidence is as intriguing as it is informative. as uncivilized people and even believed them to be monsters. Visit the new website for more about the book, upcoming events, and to keep up with Scott Poole's blog. Classic Gratitude Poems Joy Harjo, Mary Oliver, MORE. 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. Pooles constant harangue against anything conservative is a thin criticism to begin, stretched beyond any semblance of recognition by the end of the book. He tells his story through handwritten notes and a typewritten screenplay. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Penn State folklorist Bill Ellis called the book "required reading for . You'll be billed after your free trial ends. The little monsters who come to our doors for candy at Halloween are small reminders of our large problem. One wishes for a consistency in commentary. No historically reflective Christian would disagree with Pooles castigation of wrongdoings by some Americans. 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. Spring 2022 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Dorothy Sayers Poems Five of Our Favorites! Judging from the verbiage, Pooles sub-text for the American monster is conservative-Christian-white-heterosexual-Republican. While Poole is an academic his book is anything but dry. 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. Bram Stoker Award finalist W. Scott Poole is the author of numerous books and articles on monsters and mayhem in popular culture. Not only is America guilty of creating its own horrors, failure to acknowledge monsters also creates them (23). Please wait while we process your payment. 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. Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. Poole brings to life American horror stories by framing them within folk belief, religion, and popular culture, broadly unraveling the idea of the monster. Sometimes it can end up there. 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. Monster in America is a literature book by W. Scott Poole. All Rights Reserved. Steve writes about his fear, anger, and pain and his rising sense of panic about the outcome of his trial. While Poole is an academic his book is anything but dry. The book is rich in history, pop culture references, and analysis. 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. Wendell Berry Poems Seven of Our Favorites! It felt more like I was reading a college midterm (not even open book), and less like strong literary criticism. 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. 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. 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. Mark Eckel is Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Professor of Old Testament at Crossroads Bible College. (Christopher James Blythe, Florida State University, (John W. Morehead, editor, www.TheoFantastique.com). Its not a salacious book, either. Honoring authors by not reading other reviews ahead of time, I anticipated simple engagement with monstrous intrigue of the horrendous and hideous. (Greg Garrett, Faithful Citizenship blogger and author of, One Fine Potion: The Literary Magic of Harry Potter, (John David Smith, Charles H. Stone Distinguished Professor of American History, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte), W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston. (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. View all The guards take the bleeding dude away. The brother of Zeus and Poseidon, Hades rules the underworld, the realm of the dead, with his wife, Persephone. Now and Always,The Trusted Content Your Research Requires, Now and Always, The Trusted Content Your Research Requires, Built on the Johns Hopkins University Campus. [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. 2023 Baylor University Press. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, Baylor University Press (January 15, 2014). I. Poole is also a Professor of History at the College of Charleston where he teaches courses on monsters in American history, Satan in folk belief and pop culture and the history of religion and race in American life . We are sorry. 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. You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Monsters in America has without a doubt earned a spot on my favorite books of 2011. 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. Well-researched and insightful, the writing of the text is also energetic and engaging. SparkNotes PLUS Usually just called Athena, this goddess emerges from Zeus's head fully-grown and armed. Solely focused on the horrors, readers would think that no Christian or church stood against the aberration of Scriptural teaching; but such was the case with missionaries and abolitionists. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Steve testifies that he did not take part in the drugstore robbery or discuss it with anyone before it happened. Michelangelo Biographies Best Books on the Renaissance Artist! OBrien reminds jurors of reasonable doubt and states firmly that Steves guilt has not been proven. The man immediately begins screaming about something hidden in the mist that is attacking and killing people. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. Probably more 3.5 stars. Twelve Important Theology Books of 2020!!! In the end, though, I could easily see assigning parts of this book to undergraduates. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. In his new preface and expanded conclusion, Pooles tale connects to the presentillustrating the relationship between current social movements and their historical antecedents. Component 3: Vocabulary. In Monster, Walter Dean Myers tells the story of Steve Harmon's trial. Monsters in America is lively and entertaining throughout. Dorothy Sayers Where to Start with her Mystery Novels? Bolden testifies that he bought cigarettes from Bobo Evans and that Evans told him about the robbery. Petrocelli presents the charges against the defendants. wish it felt more american- some of the trends were too broad, and I wish thered been more emphasis on early America (e.g. Monsters in America: Steve Harmon, a Black sixteen-year-old, sits in his jail cell and writes in his notebook. With Monsters in America, W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. $24.99 Hades Roman name: Pluto. 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. Friedrich Nietzsche believed we are the monsters. Edna St. Vincent Millay Five of our Favorite Poems ! Penn State folklorist Bill Ellis called the book "required reading for anyone who wants to understand the dark roots of America culture." The evidence that Poole provides . 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. Just about all the scarey things that crawl into popular media hail from the leaf-littered shadowy forests that haunt the American mind. Contact us Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. Monsters in America argues that historical, political and social conditions produce narratives of horror and create "monsters." Choose one of the following periods 1.) 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. She coaches Steve on how to answer questions on the witness stand. Without cookies your experience may not be seamless. 1 (1998): 90-102. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. Scott - For All Who Hunger - Feature Review, Mattix & Thomas, Eds - Christian Poetry in America Since, Copyright 2023 The Englewood Review of Books. I hoped to expand my interaction in the genre, albeit from an American point of view. For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. Not only that, but Sandra Petrocelli, the State prosecutor, is a very good lawyer. . If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Wed love to have you back! Synopsis: From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. James King has his own lawyer, Asa Briggs. 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. Dallas Willard Books Seven Essential Titles to Read! 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. SparkNotes PLUS 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. 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. They are created to explain racism, cover up worse monstrosities and signal changes and the state of the nation at the time. 20% This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Project MUSE promotes the creation and dissemination of essential humanities and social science resources through collaboration with libraries, publishers, and scholars worldwide. He is the author of several books, including a biography of H.P Lovecraft, which became a Bram Stoker award finalist, and. Not only is it written in a fun, easy to relate to voice, but it is also chock full of info. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. You can view our. He wonders what OBrien saw.
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