Monster Theory

  1. Thesis I. The Monster’s Body Is a Cultural Body (4)
  2. Thesis II. The Monster Always Escapes (4)
  3. Thesis III. The Monster Is the Harbinger of Category Crisis (6)
  4. Thesis IV. The Monster Dwells at the Gates of Difference (7)
  5. Thesis V. The Monster Polices the Borders of the Possible (12)
  6. Thesis VI. Fear of the Monster Is Really a Kind of Desire (16)
  7. Thesis VII. The Monster Stands at the Threshold . . . of Becoming (20)

Monster Theory Class Notes

Monster Theory and Ed Gein

From what we have learned about Ed Gein, we can all agree that he is a monster. The question is: Which monster theories help us understand Ed Gein’s monstrosity?

Go through your notes and the monster theory and see which ones help us to understand his monstrosity. Connect at least two monster theories to Ed Gein. Make sure to explain the connection. Quote is necessary.

  1. Monster Theory _________ connects to Ed Gein because . . .
  2. Monster Theory _________ connects to Ed Gein because . . .
  3. Monster Theory _________ connects to Ed Gein because . . .

Creating Structure

People have been writing causal analyses for centuries. Here is the title page of Edward Jenner’s 1798 publication, An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae. His research led to the vaccine for small pox.

An Inquiry Into the Causes and Effects of the Variolæ Vaccinæ, Or Cow Pox. 1798 By Edward Jenner

Small pox has been all but eradicated by modern medicine. By the careful study of small pox focusing on the causes and effects, he was able to develop a vaccine to save human life.

Asking Why

What is the question  you are exploring? Use why, how, and what if to come up with your question.

Why do we have some many school shootings?

Why did Harvey Weinstein get away with it for so long?

Explain why something happened

  • Intro
  • First cause
  • second cause
  • best cause
  • Conclusion

Explain the consequences of a phenomenon

Open by describing the situation that will have consequences.

  • Intro
  • first effect likely to follow + reasons
  • other effects + reasons
  • Conclusion

Suggest an alternative view of cause and effect

In this one, you are refuting someone else’s cause and effects.

  • Intro
  • reason to doubt claim + evidence
  • alternative cause
  • best cause + reasons/evidence
  • Conclusion

Explain a chain of causes

Much like the Ed Gein work we did last class, you can connect a line of causes that operate in order.

  • Introduction suggestion the chain
  • First link + evidence
  • next link + evidence
  • final link + evidence
  • Conclusion

These are all just suggestions. If one of these fits into how you are organizing your causal analysis, definitely use it. You can also come up with your own structure, but remember it needs to makes sense, that is be logical to anyone reading it, and use evidence to support each point.

Homework

  • Submit your Rough Draft 4