This week we will be learning about monster theory. For the journal, look for something related to monsters, or the theory we are talking about. It can be a Halloween post, or it could be related to a movie, book, show, etc. Get creative. Whatever text you choose, try to connect it to our monster theory. How is it connected? What reminded you of the theory?
Requirements are still the same. About 250 words, summary and response to the article/tweet/post/news/etc; aka text.
Comment below with a link to the text and your summary and response.
Victor Cisneros
Professor Ramos
English 102
August 3rd, 2019
On July 26th of 2019 Quentin Jerome Tarantino, released his 9th film which takes place in Hollywood around the same time the Charles Manson murders began. The title of this movie is called “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood” throughout the movie there are so many nostalgic moments and references occurring in the movie that fans seem to not notice. In this particular Tarantino film, the movie revolves around two men. The first is an actor named Rick Dalton, who is finding himself at the end of an era in his acting career. The time has come and he is entering the beginning of a new era in Hollywood which is the so-called “Hippie Era” in the ’60s. The second man named Cliff Booth is Rick Dalton’s stunt double also a lifelong best friend who encounters the Mansion. the family head-on.
Within the movie, Tarantino very much portrays some of Jeffrey Jerome Cohen’s Monster Culture (Seven Theses). One in particular monsters’ thesis that struck me the most throughout the film when I was watching the film in the movie theater all I could think about was Thesis I: The Monsters Body Is A Cultural Body. Throughout the entire film, Tarantino is giving us references from the early and late 60’s from old cigarettes brands, old clothing brands, Hollywood Blvd, and even the way they spoke in the ’60s. This entire movie by Tarantino is a call back to the “Hippie Era”. You can also say this entire movie is a place a The Monsters Body Is A Cultural Body.
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“Lilith: Lady Flying in Darkness”
Lilith is known as one of the most famous demons in the Jewish religion. She is said to be the first wife of Adam from the story of Adam and Eve. Once God made Lilith and gave her to Adam, they immediately didn’t like each other and started fighting. Adam would tell Lilith “you lie beneath me” and Lilith would reply by saying “No, you lie beneath me! We are equal and both from the earth.” When Lilith saw that Adam would not listen to her, she flew away. Adam prayed to God about the situation and God sent down three angels to retrieve her, but only if she chooses to. The three angels found her by the ocean and told her that she is to come with her and if she chooses not to, they will drown her. She looked at them and said “My friends, I know God only created me to weaken infants when they are eight days old. From the day a child is born until the eighth day, I have dominion over the child, and from the eighth day onward I have no dominion over him if he is a boy, but if a girl, I rule over her twelve days.” The angels said we won’t let you go until you agree that each day a hundred of children should die. Lilith agreed, but the angels still wouldn’t leave her alone until she swore that” In any place that I see you or your names in an amulet, I will have no dominion over that child.” Since that day she is known as the demon who weakens the children of men. Because of this story some people believe that this story is a serious attempt to explain the death of infants, while others are convinced it is a humorous tale of sexual quarrels and unsuccessful angels.
From reading the article of how Lilith became to be the demon who kills infants I have noticed that she connects to at least three of Jeffery Jerome Cohen “Monster Culture (Seven Theses).” Lilith fits into monster theory one where a monster’s body is a cultural body. Lilith’s story first “originated in the ancient Near East, where a wilderness spirit known as the “dark maid” appears in the Sumerian myth “The descent of Inanna” (circa 3000 BCE).” Since then her story has been altered and some new stories about her has come into perspective as time went on. Thesis two “The monster always escapes”. Lilith was created to be the wife of Adam, but she didn’t want to be so she made a deal with the three angels that she will be left alone if a hundred of her children die each day and if they see her, she will have no dominion over that child. She agrees and escapes death and being forced to stay with Adam. Lastly, thesis seven “the monster stands at the threshold…of becoming.” The monster is our children and God created Lilith and became a monster because of the path that he chose for her.
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/lilith-lady-flying-in-darkness/
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In an editorial by Tom Beasley called “Halloween Ends” and Horror’s Love Affair With “Final Chapters,” the topic of horror movie franchises that have lasted for decades is discussed. Beasley explains how many horror movie series have found ways to reboot themselves or in their movies leave a way for the next film to be made. Often, movie makers make new installments to their series because they hope to make just as much money as they made on the first movie or more. That, however, is not always the case. In many cases, the follow-up or reboot movies do not make nearly as much as the previous ones and ultimately appear to be unsuccessful as a result. This idea is not new. Beasley uses the example of 1984’s Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter. Although the film was titled “The Final Chapter,” it was just another movie that was followed by many others that featured Jason Voorhees. It widely understood that many other monsters in horror films are constantly being rebooted and new movies are coming out year after year.
This editorial is very relatable to the topic that are being discussed in class because as stated in Jeffrey Jerome Cohen’s Monster Culture, the idea of monsters getting away is very commonly understood. Cohen’s Thesis II talks about the fact that monsters always seem to return and reap more havoc. Another movie series example of this is the “Halloween” series. In the “Halloween” series the monstrous character of Michael Myers always seems to return for another film even though he appears to experience things in the films that would indubitably result in the death of any normal person. This constant escape of the monster is what keeps the numerous horror movie franchises alive and will most likely continue in the future.
https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3576322/editorial-halloween-ends-horrors-love-affair-final-chapters/
1978 Halloween Trailer:
2018 Halloween Trailer:
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This reminded me of what has been discussed in class because the creatures from “A Quiet Place” physically look like scary monsters that many people fear. Thesis number three The Monster Is the Harbinger of Category Crisis applies to these creatures because they are not easy to classify. They have sharp teeth with no eyes and their skin is rough and textured similar to reptiles.Their body looks similar to a humans body but larger with extremely long arms, with no hands or feet. These creatures can not see anything they are completely blind. They get around by listening to their surroundings. These creatures will hunt anything they hear, they do not think they just hunt with no hesitation. They are extremely fast and strong which gives them an advantage while hunting their prey. These creatures are worse than wild animals that hunt for survival or for hunger, they are monsters who just hunt to kill they have no purpose. They hunt anything and anyone in this film. This film is about monsters attacking the world and people enjoyed a film. Viewers wanted more and would watch it again. In a way it can relate to thesis number six Fear of The Monster Is Really a Kind of Desire. This fear that the film creates with theses creatures interests the viewers and the curiosity of what these creatures are. In the trailer they do not show what the creatures look like until you watch the film.
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https://abcnews.go.com/US/police-el-paso-issue-report-active-shooter/story?id=64753896
An article by ABC News tells of a mass shooting that killed 20 people and left dozen more wounded on Saturday’s shooting spree massacre in El Paso Texas. Officials say that this is one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. An individual identified as 21 year old Patrick Crusius of Allen, Texas walked into a Wal-Mart filled with customers brandishing an AK-47 and started targeting customers that were if Latin ethnicity. The people that were wounded stem from the ages of two years old to 82. The assailant Patrick Crusius is being held on a charge for capital murder. Investigators claim that this was an act of “domestic terrorism meaning that the suspect was allegedly intent on coercing and intimidating a civilian population” (John Bash). The suspect was taken into custody without incident and without the police offices having to fire their weapons. The suspect Patrick Crusius had told investigators later that he wanted to shoot as many Mexicans as possible. The authorities are also investigating a manifesto they believe was written by the shooter and show possible connection to a hate crime.
Monster come in many forms, they come as one eye giants, gross hideous blobs from outer space or as handsome blood sucking movie stars, but for the people of El Paso, Texas it came in the form of prejudice and hate against another race. I believe that the horrendous acts of Patrick Crusius fall under Cohens monster theses IV: The Monster Dwells at the Gate of Difference. “In the United States, Native Americans were presented as unredeemable savages so that the powerful political machine of Manifest Destiny could push westward with disregard” (8). In the news today we have a U.S. president telling the public that Mexican immigrants are a threat and that they are murderous, drug dealers and rapist. This kind of a portrayal of people paints a monstrous portrait for others; others like Patrick Crusius who feel that they are doing the public justice by murdering those who they are being told are monstrous
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“Dennis Nilsen”
Dennis Nilsen was best known as the English murderer of many young men in the late 1970’s and early 80’s. He killed as many as 15 or more male, he also was compared to Jefferey Dahmer another serial killer that was from the US they both had the same style of murdering there victim also since they both were homosexual and had military background. The way he killed his victim was he took them to his house and drank some alcohol while they were asleep, he straggles and chocking his victim. And later kept their body since he didn’t want them to leave. So that’s the reason he killed them he felt alone he needed companion and the only reason he got caught body parts were stuck in the drains and started to smell like dead people.
This editorial is very relatable to the topic that are being discussed in class because as stated in Jeffrey Jerome Cohen’s Monster Culture, the idea of monsters getting. Also, thesis one the monster body and culture and thesis 5 The monster policies the borders of the possible. Dennis Nilsen is very interesting serial killer he didn’t have abuse parents he was very neat every time he killed, he was drunk and calm. That’s what made him very interesting he wasn’t afraid to tell them the truth right away he didn’t deny it he told the truth and the way he did it. Which the authorities were amaze they never dealt with someone his standards. Which he was Monster indeed and nails all the standards of Jerome Cohens Monster Culture. He though he could get away and he though that he had control.
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https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/dayton-ohio-shooting-suspect-connor-betts-9-killed-mass-shooting-today-2019-08-04-live-updates/
On Sunday, August 4th, another shooting took place. This time it took place in Dayton, Ohio. The gunman Connor Betts, was wearing a mask, a bulletproof vest, and ear protection when he committed this horrendous crime, and he was using an AR-15 style firearm with 100 round magazines. His attack only lasted 30 seconds, yet sadly, 9 died and 27 were injured. The police were able to neutralize the threat quickly when they proceeded to use firearms on the criminal. This horrifying event that took place relates very well with monster theory number 2 ‘The Monster Always Escapes’. This is because even though we may be able to capture, or even kill in this case for example, the perpetrator, these mass and even small shootings keep on happening. There’s really no stopping these from happening because of the availability of guns to people. No matter how much we try to ‘lock up’ this monster, it always escapes. This unfortunately was the fourth instance of a shooting in the past week. This really makes us all think if we will ever be involved in a situation like this. Almost anywhere these days can be a target. Schools, shopping centers, banks, restaurants, music events, and parks are all huge targets for a really bad shooting. There’s really no guarantee that we will be safe anywhere we are anymore. Sandy Hook, Vegas 2017, Paris 2015, Parkland, these are all the events that were full of such sadness and disgust on the criminals that committed these crimes. We keep hoping that it will get better but as was mentioned earlier, ‘The Monster Always Escapes’, and these shootings keep on happening.
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This article talks about the website 8chan which was used by at least three different mass shooters to announce, or to explain, their massacres before carrying them out. The website has, as a result, created significant controversy online and in the news media. The original creator of the website, who no longer operates it, has called for it to be shut down several times. The site was meant to be a haven for absolute free speech when it was initially created but has instead become something of an echo chamber for extremely fringe beliefs and violent fantasies.
The article made me think about the monster that is our own mind, and the dark thoughts that cross the minds of everyone at one point or another. In Cohen’s monster theory this would be closely related to the thesis that fear is really a kind of desire. The internet has become a place where people can find and live in their own echo chambers of bad ideas. 8chan was an extreme example of that. The users were able to find a place that connected hundreds of individuals from around the world who happened to align in different ways, but were unable to have a voice in their own surrounding society or environment. This concept could be a good thing, in that the smallest person can have a voice, and obviously, in this case, it can be a horribly toxic concept. Overall, I think we all create our little echo chambers on the internet where we follow those who agree with us and will justify our thoughts and beliefs. And sometimes those are good and positive thoughts, other times they are not. Social media and the internet is, ironically, fracturing our connections so that we rarely have to face any contention. Our minds, which are monsters, need that contention otherwise they can go wild.
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presentation link: https://prezi.com/view/lBdAT5m2ef9pzYjG2ECi/
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This weekend I watched Zombieland for the first time and it was about zombies taking over the world. It portrayed zombies as these gross, ugly and scary creatures. All it took was one bite and you would become a zombie. The main characters in the movie were the only survivors left and they had to help and protect each other from the scary zombies so non of them would get bitten. This movie was a comedy mixed with some scary parts and a lot of death involved. The ongoing battle makes it suspenseful and you do not want any of the main characters to become a zombie. One of the character survives by sticking by his made up “rules” omg how to survive zombies.
The monster thesis that matches the best with this is “ Thesis III. The Monster Is the Harbinger of Category Crisis”. This thesis talks about how monsters are hybrids and un human like. They can have different powers resist systematic structure. It is hard for the monster to be categorized because it is different and in this case it is a flesh eating zombie. Some people find it fascinating which is what draws people to the movie because they are amazed at this unrealistic monster. Breaking scientific rules and bringing to life peoples fears is what the thesis talks about, the zombies in the movie are scary looking while also portraying cannibalism by showing all the zombies eating each other and humans. People make up monster of their biggest fear and these are definitely fears of many people and it’s fascinating to watch a whole movie about your fears.
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The death toll in El Paso, Texas has risen to 22. Real people born in America are becoming monsters killing multiple people and injuring dozens more. Then in Dayton, Ohio nine more incident lives were taken adding up to 31 deaths over one weekend. The Dayton shooter even went as far to shoot his own sister along with eight other people before he was killed by police a monster born and raised here in the U.S.A. The El Paso shooter went into a Wal-Mart gave a smirk and opened fired on the people inside killing 22 as of right now some remain in the hospital another monster born here.
When does the violence stop? When will something be done? Our political leaders respond the same every time there’s a mass shooting but nothing ever gets done this killers are from here in the U.S. not terrorist our own people are killing in the dozens. How many people have to die in a shooting before we can stop these monsters? Guns shouldn’t be so easily accessible to monsters like these two men. The Dayton killer had 250 rounds of ammunition shot 41 rounds before police killed him but imagine if he was able to fire all 250 rounds he had would this be a different story. Would change happen faster? Would we finally put these monsters to rest? Something needs to be done about the monsters that walk around with us every day because we are getting to a point we can enjoy community functions or something as simple as going to Wal-Mart.
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https://www.livescience.com/60748-bizarre-monsters-around-the-world.html
Monsters are not just creations from one specific culture. They are a natural consequence of long lived society. This article goes over a plethora of mythical creatures from folklore from around the globe. This post was also meant to be a Halloween post. A very fitting contribution to the sub culture revolved around a once Celtic tradition. This article covers creature a little more familiar to the American eye like the Zburator of Romanian folklore that directly translates to “the flying thing.” It takes form of an attractive dark-eyed, black-haired young man to attract young women. They seduce their prey only to drain them of all their life energy. Another creature this article goes over is the vicious creature Manananggal of Filipino folklore. This creature is truly terrifying. Generally depicted as female, she hunts for her prey by first sprouting wings and splitting its own body in half! It literally flies with its entrails hanging beneath. She feasts upon the sleeping and unborn babies still in the wombs of their mothers. All this while having the tongue of an insect.
I picked this article because I’ve always been interested in other cultures than that of my own, and how they differ from mine. I’ve grown up seeing movies and depictions of a seemingly limited pool of creative monsters. Though we have borrowed quite a bit from the Japanese culture spawning American remakes of movies like The Ring (Ringu) and The Grudge (Ju-On). This Article written by Mindy Weisberger of Live Science really helps drive the fact that all monsters are are that of a cultural body. All creations stem from cultural influences of a time and place. All timely factors that help inspire all your favorite monsters throughout pop culture.
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I did my monster analysis on Maleficent, the Mistress of evil and it so happens to be that she has another movie coming out Oct 18, just a few days before Halloween.
As some of know Maleficent was the Maleficent fairy that cursed Princess Aurora or “The Sleeping Beauty” to an ageless sleep and we never knew exactly why. Well in the film Maleficent, we learn her side of the story which makes up for her evil actions. Maleficent was once a good fairy who was betrayed my King Stefan, Auroras Father. Due to his actions towards Maleficent, it changed her and created her to be this wicked monster, which relates to the monster thesis 7 on how we create monsters and that they’re our children.
Well, I found this post to be interesting because she’s is staring in a sequel, showing how we can’t get enough of her and in the trailer, she is more evil than ever. I walk around Disneyland and see children dressed like her, clothing and dolls even Maleficent inspired food and Mickey ears, relating to thesis 6 when it comes to the monster being a kind of desire. I think it’s pretty cool that Maleficent is getting another movie, why she is Evil again? Who knows, but in the trailer she seems to be enraged at the fact that Princess Aurora, the princess who she basically raised as her own, is getting married to the prince she fell in love with. Maleficent does not approve so Auroras biological mother tries to take custody of her own daughter and all hell breaks loose, of course Maleficent won’t let that happen, so we will have to see on oct 18.
https://mobile.twitter.com/maleficent/status/1148212289473896448
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I did my monster analysis on Maleficent, the Mistress of evil and it so happens to be that she has another movie coming out Oct 18, just a few days before Halloween.
As some of know Maleficent was the Malefic fairy that cursed Princess Aurora or “The Sleeping Beauty” to an ageless sleep and we never knew exactly why. Well in the film Maleficent, we learn her side of the story which explains her evil actions. Maleficent was once a good fairy who was betrayed my King Stefan, Auroras Father. Due to his actions towards Maleficent, it changed her and created her to be this wicked monster, which relates to the monster thesis 7 on how we create monsters and that they’re our children.
Well, I found this post to be interesting because she’s is staring in a sequel, showing how we can’t get enough of her and in the trailer, she is more evil than ever. I walk around Disneyland and see children dressed like her, clothing and dolls even Maleficent inspired food and Mickey ears, relating to thesis 6 when it comes to the monster being a kind of desire. I think it’s pretty cool that Maleficent is getting another movie, why she is Evil again? Who knows, but in the trailer she seems to be enraged at the fact that Princess Aurora, the princess who she basically raised as her own, is getting married to the prince she fell in love with. Maleficent does not approve so Auroras biological mother tries to take custody of her own daughter and all hell breaks loose, of course Maleficent won’t let that happen, so we will have to see on oct 18.
https://mobile.twitter.com/maleficent/status/1148212289473896448
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http://serialkillercentral.blogspot.com/2010/07/joachim-kroll-ruhr-hunter.html
German serial killer Joachim Kroll murdered at least 14 people, including young children, between 1955 and 1976. After strangling his victims with his bare hands, Kroll would have sex with their corpses, then cut them up in pieces to eat. Interestingly, Kroll was finally caught after a neighbor complained about a back up in the plumbing. The pipes were clogged with human guts. When Kroll was arrested, he was in the process of simmering body parts taken from his most recent victim, 4-year old Marion Ketter. Kroll confessed to the murders. He even began to brag about them. Kroll began to confess to murders that the police did not know about. Kroll confessed to the murders of nine other people. Eight young girls and one man.
Kroll had been watching the young man and his girlfriend having sex in a Volkswagen. Kroll became so sexually aroused that he had decided to rape the girl. Kroll slashed the front left tire of the car. Instead of checking the tire the young man hit the gas and sped off. After taking a wrong term the car returned to Kroll. Kroll began waving his arms, as if he were in distress. The young man thought Joachim needed help so he stopped the car. Joachim stabbed the young man in the stomach. His girl friend hit the gas and tried to run over Kroll. She missed. Kroll’s confession helped him earn a sentence of life imprisonment.
This editorial is very relatable to the topic that are being discussed in class because as stated in Jeffrey Jerome Cohen’s Monster Culture, the idea of monsters getting. Also, thesis one the monster body and culture and thesis 5 The monster policies the borders of the possible.
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