Indeed, the reader may struggle as I did with the leaps Poole makes between monster movies and American social ills. Penn State folklorist Bill Ellis called the book "required reading for anyone who wants to understand the dark roots of America culture." From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. The new edition extends this analysis to shed light on some of the darker developments in recent American political culture. No historically reflective Christian would disagree with Pooles castigation of wrongdoings by some Americans. Well-written and engaging,Monsters in Americais a must-read for anyone fascinated by history or monsters or both. It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. Steves lawyer, Kathy OBrien, urges Steve to take his situation seriously because this crime could put him in jail for twenty years or more. Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2012. She tells the jury that James King and Steve Harmon, along with two other criminals, robbed a drugstore. 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. OBrien reminds jurors of reasonable doubt and states firmly that Steves guilt has not been proven. Monsters in America (2nd ed.) by W. Scott Poole (ebook) - eBooks.com Briggs establishes that the police had shown photos of King to Mrs. Henry before she picked him out of a lineup. 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. [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. (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. All rights reserved. He wrote in his journal Best Bob Dylan Books Biographies, Lyrics, and More! Penn State folklorist Bill Ellis called the book "required reading for . An excellent study for any student of history or media but also fun and accessible for any fan of monsters and the movies. Connect with him online at: C-Christopher-Smith.com, "This book will inspire, motivate and challenge anyone who cares a whit about the written word, the world of ideas, the shape of our communities. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. She identifies James King as being one of the two young men. InMonsters in America,Scott Poole asks these thought-provoking questions while traveling through American history following the evolution of the monster over time. Monster presents through the obvious things, for example, krakens or werewolves. After Steve hears the verdict, he turns to OBrien for a hug. 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. Poole suggests monsters are created by America to mask its own monstrosities or monsters exist which interpret American culture. 20% 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. (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. Monster: Study Guide | SparkNotes All rights reserved. Monsters in America. Steve is about to stand trial for felony homicide. 1945-1960 2.) 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. Novelist Sheri Holman calls the book "a subversive masterpiece.". Forged from a partnership between a university press and a library, Project MUSE is a trusted part of the academic and scholarly community it serves. The Monthly Kindle Ebook Sale March 2023, 5 Essential Ebook Deals for Church Leaders 23 February 2023, 5 Essential Ebook Deals for Church Leaders 16 February 2023, Rumi Poems Eight of Our Favorites by the Sufi Mystic, Walt Whitman Poems 8 of our Favorites from Leaves of Grass, Alexander Pushkin Five Poems by the Russian Poet, Against Christian Nationalism: Essential Books [A Reading Guide]. Steve worries about why OBrien turned away from him after winning the case. 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. 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. Wendell Berry Poems Seven of Our Favorites! Please provide specific examples to support your answers. 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. From 19th century sea serpents to our current. However, at times the overt political messages can be more aggressive than effective, the book frequently covers more breadth than depth, and I was left without a clear sense of how monsters in America (US, presumably, rather than hemispheric) differed from those in international nightmares--or how the globalization of monster culture influenced American culture. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Monsters In America challenges, enlightens, and, quite honestly, frightens in its prescient view of American history, . Purchasing Pooles book becomes a tired screed against those whose political-social viewpoints are antithetic to his own. 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. Just about all the scarey things that crawl into popular media hail from the leaf-littered shadowy forests that haunt the American mind. Michelle Shannon is licensed under a
By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Monsters in America Project chapter ( 2,3,4,5,6,7) 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. Definitions of the monster, he adds, change over time and with each generation. Monster is told as a first-person account by Steve Harmon, a Black teenager on trial for felony murder in New York. A.They would back the federal government against another state B.They would support, What issue was at the root of the nullification crisis of 1832, which turned many Virginia Republicans against Andrew Jackson? W. Scott Poole, Monsters arrived in 2011and now they are back. He wonders what OBrien saw. He also doesn't shy away from the role of the monstrous in helping maintain oppressive regimes and the status quo. I want to start out by saying that I absolutely love the notion behind this book. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. March 4, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 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. 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. Monsters in America argues that historical, political and social conditions produce narratives of horror and create "monsters." Choose one of the following periods 1.) The atheist taught that inflicting suffering while enjoying the process is human nature. Monster is usually used to reflect an individual's actions; especially, it shows for the wrong act of people. 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). Subscribe now. Poole presents his findings methodically through well-documented facts and similar studies. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading American Monsters: A History of Monster Lore, Legends, and Sightings in America. The little monsters who come to our doors for candy at Halloween are small reminders of our large problem. The jail guards come in, and everyone lines up against the wall while they get rubber-gloved. (one code per order). Bolden testifies that he bought cigarettes from Bobo Evans and that Evans told him about the robbery. OBrien gathers her papers and moves away, leaving Steve standing with outstretched arms. This isnt a book for the squeamish as Poole details how a horror film like Candyman is based in fact to a great deal. America, like all nations, is made up of monstrous human beings. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past. Human beings made him declare "war" by treating him like an enemy. Which one would you like to know more about and why? wish it felt more american- some of the trends were too broad, and I wish thered been more emphasis on early America (e.g. This book is a wonderful introduction to American history through the lens of monsters. Associated with war, cleverness, and wit, it is no surprise that she favors Odysseus. 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. John Wesley Sermons - The 7 Best Sermons from the Founder of Methodism. From early American ghost stories to Jordan Peeles Get Out (2017), Scott Poole expertly tracks the importance of monsters and monstrosity in American culture. The Monster feels completely alienated: "none among the myriads of men" will take pity on him. 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. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Yuckfest. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. The history of America -- one fear, one monster, at a time. The book reflects on the. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. The Monster argues that his murderousness is not his fault. After Steve testifies, OBrien puts Mr. Sawicki, his film teacher, on the stand. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Sophfronia Scott - The Seeker and the Monk [Review], James Atwood - Collateral Damage - Brief Review, Emily M.D. Chapter 17 I loved this book. 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. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. Renews March 11, 2023 That's What She Read by
Poole offers an insight on America's fascination with monsters. for a group? 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. Project MUSE - Monsters in America "Rue Morgue" magazine called it "the best biography of H.P. With Monsters in America, W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. Renews March 11, 2023 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. Available
Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% It felt more like I was reading a college midterm (not even open book), and less like strong literary criticism. 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. 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 . Pooles excoriation of one homogenous grouping belies the essence of the problem which is our human nature. Monsters in America does a phenomenal job examining American history through the lens of monsters and the monstrous. Its cohesive, cursory, and has a smattering of typos. Frankenstein: The Monster Quotes | SparkNotes that Poole have used to describe the events of . for a customized plan. Reprinted by permission. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. Petrocelli, the State prosecutor, calls more witnesses to establish the facts of the crime. The evidence that Poole provides . W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston. Monsters in America is lively and entertaining throughout. What becomes disturbingly apparent is that most of Americas hatred of the Other is based in Christian religious belief. Scott Poole's Monsters in America Examines Our Fears - Dread Central Monsters, he says, are "cultural constructions of the terrible that define what it is we subconsciously fear and what it is we're told to hate or love.". Scott - For All Who Hunger - Feature Review, Mattix & Thomas, Eds - Christian Poetry in America Since, Copyright 2023 The Englewood Review of Books. He wrote in his journal. I am fiercely passionate about two things: History and Monsters. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. Steve tells his story through handwritten notes as in a journal and a typewritten screenplay. Name: Kim Hoan Tran Dr. Che 07/08/2019 Summary Paper Summary of Monstrous Beginning In Monster in America written by W. Scott Poole, especially the chapter called "Monstrous Beginnings". Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Sawicki states that he believes in Steves honesty as a filmmaker and as a person. Briggs makes the first closing argument in the case. Good references in the book that I looked up to further read about horror movies and their importance to our sociological perspective. Sometimes it can end up there. on me, relax. but on the whole, an engaging and thought provoking read. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. Poole argues that "Monstrous metaphors in American historical life have a way of becoming realthey are intertwined with attitudes and social structures that make the monster possible. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Books About Race in America; Coretta Scott . Synopsis: From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Best Leonard Cohen Books Biographies and Books by the Songwriter. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. The book made a few strong points, but ultimately it was a mediocre read. He is at home with his parents and his brother Jerry. But a third interpretive option exists. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Please wait while we process your payment. Amazon has encountered an error. 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. They are manifestations of our society. Everything from Communists, feminists, and foreigners to Candyman, Dracula, and The Exorcist are examined for the social attitudes to evil that they illuminate (and that we may believe, consciously or subconsciously). Insightful and brilliant! Discount, Discount Code Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. And I don't have to mention the meaning of all the zombie movies. Twelve Important Theology Books of 2021!!! As W. Scott Poole's text will serve as the conceptual framework for the course, this assignment seeks to promote regular critical engagement with the text. For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. In her closing argument for the State, Petrocelli stresses the importance of the stolen cigarettes in proving who committed the crime. 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. does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. I think that what makes the book riveting is that despite the particular social factors and grisly historical events, the book is about the Other in media. Learn how your comment data is processed. Baylor Univ, $29.95 (296p) ISBN 978-1-60258-314-6 From 19th century sea serpents to our current obsession with vampires and zombies, history professor Poole (Satan in America) plots America's. the bell witch, the roanaoke colony, etc.) Twelve Important Theology Books of 2020!!! St. Augustine Best Books on His Life and Work, Holy Sonnets John Donne Complete Text. Especially enlightening is the the animistic portrayal and subsequent fear of African-Americans that has permeated society since they were first brought to the Americas on slave ships. 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. 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. In 2016, he wrote the Bram Stoker Finalist _In the Mountains of Madness: The Life and Extraordinary Afterlife of H.P. "Monsters in America" is a work that touches on the many facets of Horror in America. If it bleeds, it reads. She explains that some jurors have decided against him just because he is young and Black, so Steve has to make the jury see him as different from the other defendants. Monsters in America is W. Scott Poole's interpretive history. Finally, in the new section "American Carnage," Poole challenges readers to assess what their own monster tales might be and how our sordid past horrors express themselves in our present cultural anxieties. Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Highly recommended. On Being with Krista Tippett Top 10 Best Episodes! Mythology: Character List | SparkNotes American history comes at us dripping with gore, victims lying scattered on the ground, eldritch moonlight revealing creeping horrors you never learned from your eighth grade history textbook. You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. Steves parents are glad he is home, but the distance between Steve and his father is growing. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Classic Gratitude Poems Joy Harjo, Mary Oliver, MORE. While real monsters do exist, the reality of our own monstrosities mirrors not a national heritage as much as our human heritage. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! 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. Vampira) to explore the history of American sexuality, gender relations and the rebirth of the horror film in post-WW2 America. 1960-1980 3. Continue to start your free trial. But he also shows that the monstrous can be sympathetic, that it can also be used by the oppressed to speak back to the mainstream. If specters of the past still haunt our present, they may yet invade our future. The Mist (2007) - Plot - IMDb (254) 710-3164. 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.