If it bleeds, it reads. The little monsters who come to our doors for candy at Halloween are small reminders of our large problem. 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. 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Select a location to see product availability. Not only is it written in a fun, easy to relate to voice, but it is also chock full of info. Trick-or-treat! can only mean one thingHalloween. You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. You'll also receive an email with the link. 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. for a group? Suppose someone wanted to trace American history through the common coffee cup. The Mist (2007) - Plot - IMDb He states that he knows James King and Osvaldo Cruz, but only casually. One Bear Place 97363, Waco, TX 76798-7363 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. 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. Wed love to have you back! 335 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 in. More than mere metaphors, they are creations of human fears and human ignorance. 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. Monster: Study Guide | SparkNotes Shop the SparkNotes Collection | Barnes & Noble Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. Monsters in America Project chapter ( 2,3,4,5,6,7) The Best C.S. Before you get all "He's Anti-American!" These summaries should not exceed one page in length. Copyright Thats What She Read 2009-2013. 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. Interesting as a surface-level exploration of "Monster Theory". . A Midsummer Night's Dream (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Macbeth (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Hamlet (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Julius Caesar (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Othello (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes QUICK ADD Twelfth Night (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes Excellent examination of horror movies evolution through the years and also how societal happenings influence the movies at the time they are made. You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. The atheist taught that inflicting suffering while enjoying the process is human nature. Poole states that, in actuality, that the Europeans saw the natives. InMonsters in America,Scott Poole asks these thought-provoking questions while traveling through American history following the evolution of the monster over time. Poole wants to tell a story and take his readers on a journey, and he definitely does so. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror, On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears. All rights reserved. Monstrosity - Monstrous Beginnings This is an important book that Id recommend very highly. That being said, however, if you are a teacher who needs to get a class full of barely literate college freshmen to understand what it means to read / think about things in historical context, Poole's introduction, "The Bloody chords of Memory," is readable and accessible even for a group of resistant and vaguely engaged (at best) 18 year olds. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. [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. Jacques Ellul Books An Introductory Reading Guide. Monsters in America is W. Scott Pooles interpretive history. I loved this book. This book is a wonderful introduction to American history through the lens of monsters. Just watch any local news program and you'll see what I mean. "Monsters in America" is a work that touches on the many facets of Horror in America. Summary.docx - October 18th 2017 Writing 1010 Summary In 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. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. In Monster, Walter Dean Myers tells the story of Steve Harmon's trial. Associated with war, cleverness, and wit, it is no surprise that she favors Odysseus. Not only that, but Sandra Petrocelli, the State prosecutor, is a very good lawyer. Monster is a 1999 young adult novel by Walter Dean Myers. Steves lawyer, Kathy OBrien, urges Steve to take his situation seriously because this crime could put him in jail for twenty years or more. Wright Books An Introductory Reading Guide to The Theologians Work, Joy Harjo Poems Five of the Best Poems by the US Poet Laureate, John ODonohue Poems Four of our Favorites. Poole seeks to undermine myths of American exceptionalism by locating monsters that he believes exist outside our psyche, in history. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Monster Chapter Summaries - eNotes.com Insightful and brilliant! 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. March 4, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Dont have an account? What would be made of the differences of the heavy, utilitarian coffee cups of the 1940s compared to the cups featuring Gary Larson cartoons so popular in the 1990s? IE- minorities = what we are anxious about / obsessed with = the monstrous = monsters. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past, Monsters in. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. 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. 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. (Christopher James Blythe, Florida State University, (John W. Morehead, editor, www.TheoFantastique.com). Best Leonard Cohen Books Biographies and Books by the Songwriter. Monsters in America does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. Martin Luther King, Jr. His Prophetic Faith in 15 Quotes, Important Discipleship and Formation Books A Reading Guide Fall 2020, Frederick Buechner Books An Introductory Reading Guide. Copyright 2023 That's What She Read. Emily Dickinson Poems Seven of our Favorites! From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. This book is quite well researched, makes a few interesting connections, and is very accessible. I seem to be having bad luck with books lately, but the writing style just didnt connect with me. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. Its not a salacious book, either. New York: Theatre Communications Group, 2013. Petrocelli, OBrien, and Briggs make opening statements on the first day of Steves trial. 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. Briggs establishes that the police had shown photos of King to Mrs. Henry before she picked him out of a lineup. for a customized 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. 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. 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. Scott - For All Who Hunger - Feature Review, Mattix & Thomas, Eds - Christian Poetry in America Since, Copyright 2023 The Englewood Review of Books. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. No longer just something that goes bump in the night, Mr. Poole showcases that monsters have more meaning and shed more insight into society than one might have previously suspected. It is lively and engaging and well researched. Here's where you'll find analysis of the main themes, motifs, and symbols in Monster. Well-written and engaging,Monsters in Americais a must-read for anyone fascinated by history or monsters or both. She continues to assert that Steve served as the lookout for the robbery and is as guilty as the others. Please try again. , Poole has now turned his attention to the monsters that inhabit American cinema and American imaginations. It is super nasty, and blood ends up everywhere. Poole agrees telling us early and often You are the main character in this terror-filled little tale (xviii). Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2014. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. Poole brings to life American horror stories by framing them within folk belief, religion, and popular culture, broadly unraveling the idea of the monster. Author W. Scott Poole takes a look at America's fascination with the macabre in his book. He wrote in his journal. 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. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. OBrien gathers her papers and moves away, leaving Steve standing with outstretched arms. Get help and learn more about the design. Even fewer scholars do so as adeptly and as entertainingly as W. Scott Poole. However, this book was not only as easy read, but incredibly enlightening, eye-opening, and thrilling. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. The medical examiner states the time of Mr. Nesbitts death. Edna St. Vincent Millay Five of our Favorite Poems ! For him, this place is the opposite of realhe has to do everything in front of strangers. 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. 1945-1960 2.) 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. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Here's where you'll find important quotesfrom Monsterand explanations of them. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. Indeed, the reader may struggle as I did with the leaps Poole makes between monster movies and American social ills. We've quickly looked at a wide variety of Native Cultures across the Americas. Spring 2021 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! What becomes disturbingly apparent is that most of Americas hatred of the Other is based in Christian religious belief. Without cookies your experience may not be seamless. Not only do they continue to live in our midst, but, as historian Scott Poole shows, these monsters are an important part of our pasta hideous obsession America cannot seem to escape.Pooles central argument in Monsters in America is that monster tales intertwine with Americas troubled history of racism, politics, class struggle, and gender inequality. Based on new findings and bursting with new interpretations, it offers newcomers and old fans of the America's great horror writer new insight into his life, work, and continuing influence. Poole states that, in actuality, that the Europeans saw the natives as uncivilized people and even believed them to be monsters. Steve calls the movie Monster because that is what the prosecutor has called him. Bolden testifies that he bought cigarettes from Bobo Evans and that Evans told him about the robbery. (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. I found it informative, fascinating, thought-provoking and well-written. Pooles excoriation of one homogenous grouping belies the essence of the problem which is our human nature. 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. Through the two and a half weeks I took with this book, I have been citing it in conversation. Christopher Columbus came to the Americas searching for gold, slaves, and monsters. Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. Monsters in America argues that historical, political and social conditions produce narratives of horror and create "monsters." Choose one of the following periods 1.) Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2012. Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2014. Its a story that begins with the history of the dark lady of late night horror and branches out into a discussion of the Beats, Bebop Jazz, the birth of rock and roll and the social protest movements of the 1960s. 1960-1980 3. Specifically, he discusses how the stories like "Pocahontas" and "The. [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. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. 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 . It felt more like I was reading a college midterm (not even open book), and less like strong literary criticism. The new edition extends this analysis to shed light on some of the darker developments in recent American political culture. Go to BN.com to get your copy of these helpful resources. Sex and violence are the recurring themes of the book, but Poole always provides context for why they recur so often. The second edition of Monsters leads readers deeper into Americas tangled past to show how monsters continue to haunt contemporary American ideology. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Not only do they continue to live in our midst, but, as historian Scott Poole shows, these monsters are an important part of our pasta hideous obsession America cannot seem to escape. One wishes for a consistency in commentary. Contact us I thought this was gonna be about different monsters from American folklore. Unless specifically stated in the review, I have purchased all books reviewed. Both belief about the supernatural and the supernatural itself creates creatures which slither into our thinking-being-behaving. 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. 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. Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. Steve spends his time making movies about himself, often with Jerrys help. 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. The jury returns verdicts of guilty for James King and not guilty for Steve Harmon. Flashbacks in Steves screenplay show Steve playing on the streets, listening to Mr. Sawicki, his film club mentor, and hanging out with James King and Osvaldo Cruz. The tendency to view American monsters as primarily psychological archetypes ignores how closely they have reflected actual historical events and actual historical victims.". Subscribe now. Subscribe now. Dorothy Moore, a cousin of Kings, testifies that King was with her at the time of the robbery. 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). For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. Monster and Poole.pdf - WRTG1010 . Monsters and American The defense rests after Sawickis testimony. 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. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. I was thrilled to find a book that went with that mindset. Monster presents through the obvious things, for example, krakens or werewolves. Stamped on American culture, the phrase brings to mind images of costumes, plastic masks, and parents holding the hands of little monsters as they collect candy calories. Reprinted by permission. If one would like to get into the spirit of monster mania during Halloween, no better place to begin is with the books that generated monster madness: Dracula, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and The Island of Dr. Moreau. Newer movies like "Terminator," shows what happens when we place our trust in machines. Monster in America is a literature book by W. Scott Poole. Best Bob Dylan Books Biographies, Lyrics, and More! Monster is told as a first-person account by Steve Harmon, a Black teenager on trial for felony murder in New York. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Free trial is available to new customers only. 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. The Theology of the Early Christians 10 Free Classics! Monsters in America Project. This was a great concept, but I struggled to even make it through the introduction. The author radically departs from the notion that monsters are a metaphor for our fears through the ages. Course Hero is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university. He decides to make a movie about his experience. Suppose someone wanted to trace American history through the common coffee cup. Poole offers an insight on America's fascination with monsters. Scott Poole's Monsters in America Examines Our Fears - Dread Central A.The James River B.The, Which was NOT an attempted reform movement in antebellum Virginia? Steve writes about his fear, anger, and pain and his rising sense of panic about the outcome of his trial. Lovecraft in print. Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. 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). Monsters in america project chapter 1 | English homework help - SweetStudy 62 reviews Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon. Hades Roman name: Pluto. 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. Read the chapter-by-chapter Summary & Analysis, a Full Book Summary, or Full Book Analysis of Monster. It is not just about film and fiction, but the cultural events that mirrored the works on the screen and in our nightmares. When meeting the natives, he saw their way of life as barbaric and uncivilized. His footnotes have left me with a massive pile of additional books to read. He is at home with his parents and his brother Jerry. Please provide specific examples to support your answers. In this way he resembles Frankenstein, who alienates himself by pursuing forbidden knowledge. Produced by Johns Hopkins University Press in collaboration with The Sheridan Libraries. Twelve Important Theology Books of 2021!!! Mrs. Henry testifies to being in the drugstore and seeing two young Black men arguing with the store owner. Wendell Berry Poems Seven of Our Favorites! 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. Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. View all Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! ", 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. but on the whole, an engaging and thought provoking read. Analysis The monster tells Victor:"You must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being." Victor refuses and then later relents to the monster's wishes. Fifteen Important Theology Books of 2022!!! uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity. Renews March 11, 2023 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. Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the With Monsters in America, W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. Michelangelo Biographies Best Books on the Renaissance Artist! Five months later, Steve is again writing in his notebook. From 19th century sea serpents to our current. 20% Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! IE- minorities = what we are anxious about / obsessed with = the monstrous = monsters. It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. I often use this in my Freshman Writing courses to show that writing doesn't have to be boring. Bram Stoker Award finalist W. Scott Poole is the author of numerous books and articles on monsters and mayhem in popular culture. Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the This book is a wonderful introduction to American history through the lens of monsters. 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. Not only is it written in a fun, easy to relate to voice, but it is also chock full of info. The man immediately begins screaming about something hidden in the mist that is attacking and killing people. In 2009, Poole published _Satan in America: The Devil We Know__ (Rowman and Littlefield), a cultural history of the image of Satan in American religion, history and popular culture. Steves parents are glad he is home, but the distance between Steve and his father is growing. 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. Poole brings to life American horror stories by framing them within folk belief, religion, and popular culture, broadly unraveling the idea of the monster. Satan in America: The Devil We Know by W. Scott Poole - Goodreads Students will maintain a list of unfamiliar words they come across in the chapter. Free trial is available to new customers only. 2023 Project MUSE. Good references in the book that I looked up to further read about horror movies and their importance to our sociological perspective. Purchasing The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Steve is about to stand trial for felony homicide. This proven textbook also studies the social location of contemporary horror films, exploring, for example, how Get Out emerged from the context of the Black Lives Matter movement.
