He tells his story through handwritten notes and a typewritten screenplay. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Highly recommended." Jenn's Bookshelves "In Monsters in America, Scott Poole expertly weaves together folklore, media studies, and some of the more disturbing moments in American history to remind us of the vital roles monsters play in our culture. If specters of the past still haunt our present, they may yet invade our future. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. You'll also receive an email with the link. America, like all nations, is made up of monstrous human beings. Excerpt. Imprint: Baylor University Press. This is an amazing book. 2023 Baylor University Press. Fyodor Dostoevsky Download all his Novels as Free Ebooks !!! I was thrilled to find a book that went with that mindset. For him, this place is the opposite of realhe has to do everything in front of strangers. 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. Unless specifically stated in the review, I have purchased all books reviewed. Petrocelli also calls an eyewitness, Mrs. Lorelle Henry, to the stand. In 2016, he wrote the Bram Stoker Finalist _In the Mountains of Madness: The Life and Extraordinary Afterlife of H.P. History is horror. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. 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. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. Poole's book is fantastic, a terrific look at what makes monsters in film resonate in American culture. 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. 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. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror, On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears. Wed love to have you back! A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past. The kind of monsters depends on the era. 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. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. All affiliate income is used to support the blog. During the robbery, Aguinaldo Nesbitt, the fifty-five-year-old owner of the store, was killed. Dracula (1931) is based on the fear of foreigners and disease. Spring 2021 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! Go to BN.com to get your copy of these helpful resources. The new edition extends this analysis to shed light on some of the darker developments in recent American political culture. Insightful and brilliant! 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. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Monsters in America. 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. He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). Human beings made him declare "war" by treating him like an enemy. Free trial is available to new customers only. Definitely would recommend it as a quick read and dive into monster history, as well as a great resource to find other books the author recommends to look into more! 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. 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. While Poole is an academic his book is anything but dry. An interesting and accessible overview of the link between American history and the monsters that fascinate them. While real monsters do exist, the reality of our own monstrosities mirrors not a national heritage as much as our human heritage. Other times Poole relies too heavily on social interpreters for his connections. He wrote in his journal. 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. Christopher Columbus came to the Americas searching for gold, slaves, and monsters. Indians, the physically disabled, African-Americans, deep-sea animals or mammals, science is a powerful motivator and caused society to vilify those that do not fit the acceptable mold. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. (one code per order). This item: Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting by W. Scott Poole Paperback $34.99 The Monster Theory Reader by Jeffrey Andrew Weinstock Paperback $45.11 On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears by Stephen T. Asma Paperback $28.95 What other items do customers buy after viewing this item? He is at home with his parents and his brother Jerry. 1945-1960 2.) Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? They Poole offers an insight on America's fascination with monsters. Author: W. Scott Poole Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books ): "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. I feel like the author did a great job at deconstructing America's social issues and how they connect to the monsters/fears/entertainment of the time. OBrien tells Steve that her job is to make him a human being in the eyes of the jury. Pallas Athena Roman name: Minerva. Poole states that, in actuality, that the Europeans saw the natives. (Gary Laderman, Professor of American Religious History and Cultures, Emory University), (J. Gordon Melton, Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion). For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. SparkNotes PLUS 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. Petrocelli, OBrien, and Briggs make opening statements on the first day of Steves trial. Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. When social conservatives oppose something, like - say -. In his new preface and expanded conclusion, Pooles tale connects to the presentillustrating the relationship between current social movements and their historical antecedents. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Friedrich Nietzsche believed we are the monsters. Honoring authors by not reading other reviews ahead of time, I anticipated simple engagement with monstrous intrigue of the horrendous and hideous. This book is really good, a look at our monsters in a social conceptional way. Title and sub-title encouraged my interest in securing a copy of Monsters in America for review. 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. FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Read the chapter-by-chapter Summary & Analysis, a Full Book Summary, or Full Book Analysis of Monster. 335 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 in. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. Sabbath Books Best Reads for Christians on Rest and Sabbath! He reminds the jury of the witnesses criminal records and contends that their unreliability casts reasonable doubt on Kings guilt. Scholars will argue over interpretation because that is what scholars do. They are created to explain racism, cover up worse monstrosities and signal changes and the state of the nation at the time. There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. 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). Monstrosities exist in us and therefore they are all around us. Edna St. Vincent Millay Five of our Favorite Poems ! 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. Satan in America tells the story of America's complicated relationship with the devil. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. 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. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Poole summarizes, Perhaps our own beliefs about monsters and their intractable nature help to produce the monsters we fear the most (164). We are led to believe that bloody movies portray the sinister seditions of social conservativismthe ultimate grim reaper. However, this book was not only as easy read, but incredibly enlightening, eye-opening, and thrilling. Fall 2022 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! Free trial is available to new customers only. In a nutshell, monsters for Poole are metaphors / stand-ins for whoever is loathed or feared in a certain historical context. She asks the jury to recall how Steve conducted himself on the witness stand and to compare Steve with Sal Zinzi, Bobo Evans, and Osvaldo Cruz before they decide who is believable. Wendell Berry Poems Seven of Our Favorites! Subject I have a lot of interest in and the author seems to have done a lot of work/research. After Steve hears the verdict, he turns to OBrien for a hug. Yuckfest. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Want 100 or more? Briggs presents his defense of King. For Professors: Exam Copies. It's also a great way of introducing the idea that you can use different lenses/ways of writing to introduce and discuss topics. After a minute elapses from the time David, Billy and Brent enter the store, a man, Jeff Miller, a local townsperson, flies into the market, bloodied and frantic. (254) 710-3164. 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. 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. All rights reserved. Marshall1 Jenna Marshall Prof. Goff Writing 1010 12 September 2021 Summary Final In Scott Poole's essay Monsters in America Poole's main claim is that stories of monsters are associated with the troubled history of American history of racism, politics, class prejudice, gender disparity, and how society's fears can be equally showing of our divides. All rights reserved. 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. Its cohesive, cursory, and has a smattering of typos. 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. Monsters in America: Highly recommended. on 50-99 accounts. Poole agrees telling us early and often You are the main character in this terror-filled little tale (xviii). His new book, forthcoming this fall and available for pre-order, is _Wasteland: The Great War and the Roots of Modern Horror_. This isnt a book for the squeamish as Poole details how a horror film like Candyman is based in fact to a great deal. 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 book reflects on the. The Monster feels completely alienated: "none among the myriads of men" will take pity on him. Mrs. Henry testifies to being in the drugstore and seeing two young Black men arguing with the store owner. Spring 2022 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Select a location to see product availability. Definitions of the monster, he adds, change over time and with each generation. the bell witch, the roanaoke colony, etc.) Please wait while we process your payment. Separated by significant eras in American history, a reader gets a clear picture of how the definition of a monster changes depending on the cultural and political events of an era. wish it felt more american- some of the trends were too broad, and I wish thered been more emphasis on early America (e.g. Detectives Karyl and Williams describe their arrival at the crime scene. In the end, though, I could easily see assigning parts of this book to undergraduates. 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. Friday afternoon, July 17th & December, 5 months later. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting. 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. (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. Here's where you'll find important quotesfrom Monsterand explanations of them. The book made a few strong points, but ultimately it was a mediocre read. Contact us Course Hero is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university. Henri Nouwen Books An Introductory Reading Guide. BUY . Which one would you like to know more about and why? Starting with the Puritan era and the fear of witches and ending with the modern-day fascination with the monsters within us, i.e. Petrocelli refers to the defendants as monsters in the community. She then calls two witnesses. Hes never less than canny on the pop culture angle: Dracula and Frankenstein are almost everywhere in the book, his insights into the fear of zombies are sharp, the comparison of Patrick Bateman and Dexter Morgan is inspired, and the analysis of fifties icons like Vampira and the Addams family are very good. Written in an accessible, smart and entertaining way, this is a fantastic book. If you view everything that has happened in the last ten thousand years as an atrocity committed by (American) White Anglo-Saxon Protestant men against the wide-eyed, helpless, innocent (and rather stupid) non-male/non-white world in a concerted race (or gender where convenient) war and stolidly ignore all contrary evidence, the world is full of monsters. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. 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. 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. Monster is a 1999 young adult novel by Walter Dean Myers. With Monsters in America, W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. Monsters in America Project. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. The author radically departs from the notion that monsters are a metaphor for our fears through the ages. Thoughts on books, family, and life in one impressive package. ! His transitions from movie metaphors to American social ills are often strained if not unconvincing. If you've got an interest in horror, this is definitely worth a read. Without cookies your experience may not be seamless. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. We've quickly looked at a wide variety of Native Cultures across the Americas. "Angels, Monsters, and Jews: Intersections of Queer and Jewish Identity in Kushner's "Angels in America."" PMLA 113, no. Just about all the scarey things that crawl into popular media hail from the leaf-littered shadowy forests that haunt the American mind. Societal values impact individuals only as much as we understand an individuals values. When, meeting the natives, he saw their way of life as barbaric and uncivilized. Steve spends his time making movies about himself, often with Jerrys help. Please try again. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Powells Books and IndieBound. In a nutshell, monsters for Poole are metaphors / stand-ins for whoever is loathed or feared in a certain historical context. An unexpected guilty pleasure! Continue to start your free trial. Not only is it written in a fun, easy to relate to voice, but it is also chock full of info. I used this as a textbook for a themed English course: Monsters, Myths, and Magic. Five months later, Steve is again writing in his notebook. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. 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. Sawicki states that he believes in Steves honesty as a filmmaker and as a person. 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. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. 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. Steve calls the movie Monster because that is what the prosecutor has called him. 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. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Picked up on a whim, I certainly got the expected analysis of horror movies as a way for Americans to understand and react to their culture, but the author also makes the (very strong and well supported) argument that far from being a way to understand the world around us, monsters are also used by those in power to crush those without under their heel while also ignoring and excusing the fact that they're doing so. For my own part, I have been studying and writing about Gothic horror for some years. The fear of anything not considered normal or not well-understood e.g. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. Asa Briggs, Kings attorney, establishes that the police have no fingerprint evidence. OBrien gathers her papers and moves away, leaving Steve standing with outstretched arms. 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. 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. is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. Get help and learn more about the design. American history from the past to the present. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Suppose someone wanted to trace American history through the common coffee cup. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Classic Gratitude Poems Joy Harjo, Mary Oliver, MORE. It felt more like I was reading a college midterm (not even open book), and less like strong literary criticism. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Books About Race in America; Coretta Scott . 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. Browning's research, including extensive field work in New Orleans, has uncovered a subculture of . 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. 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.
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