I feel like three stars is generous for a book that did not bring me any new insights, but it was neither especially good nor especially bad. Buy now: [ Amazon ] [ Kindle ]. 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. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past, Monsters in. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Component 3: Vocabulary. This book is a wonderful introduction to American history through the lens of monsters. He tells his story through handwritten notes and a typewritten screenplay. You'll also receive an email with the link. [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. It is lively and engaging and well researched. Filmmakers create celluloid illusions with that in mind. . Ten Important Women Theologians To Start Reading. Monsters in America has without a doubt earned a spot on my favorite books of 2011. Renews March 11, 2023 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. Monster is a 1999 young adult novel by Walter Dean Myers. 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. Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. Pooles constant harangue against anything conservative is a thin criticism to begin, stretched beyond any semblance of recognition by the end of the book. James King has his own lawyer, Asa Briggs. Mrs. Henry testifies to being in the drugstore and seeing two young Black men arguing with the store owner. I want to start out by saying that I absolutely love the notion behind this book. Steve also states that he was not at the drugstore on the day of the crime but was walking around thinking about his movie. new monsters appear as American society evolves, paralleling fluctuating challenges to the cultural status quo. The scary tales found in the classic texts remind usno matter our nationality, ethnicity, or political persuasionthe monster is us. When, meeting the natives, he saw their way of life as barbaric and uncivilized. ", In 2014 he published _Vampira: Dark Goddess of Horror_ that looked at the life of 1950s horror host Maila Nurmi (a.k.a. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Students will maintain a list of unfamiliar words they come across in the chapter. When meeting the natives, he saw their way of life as barbaric and uncivilized. Author W. Scott Poole takes a look at America's fascination with the macabre in his book. Sex and violence are the recurring themes of the book, but Poole always provides context for why they recur so often. It is lively and engaging and well researched. I seem to be having bad luck with books lately, but the writing style just didnt connect with me. Steve testifies that he did not take part in the drugstore robbery or discuss it with anyone before it happened. Date. "Sick," published by Abrams/Amulet). damn good primer on monsters in America. These monsters are created by multiple aspects of society and give meaning to the culture as well. "Rue Morgue" magazine called it "the best biography of H.P. I'm just saying that throughout the country's history, there have been some pretty dark times. is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. However, his interpretations and implications are nothing less than threatening to whatever status quo our authorities would prefer us to maintain. I love ghost stories and folklore because they reveal an aspect of history and popular thinking in an entertaining way. Thanks to Poole's insights we see the ubiquity of the monster lurking in and around us. for a group? Steves parents are glad he is home, but the distance between Steve and his father is growing. 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. American Monsters: A History of Monster Lore, Legends, and Sightings in America - Kindle edition by Godfrey, Linda S.. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. The different types of monsters, whether cultural, supernatural, or moral, all contribute to the meaning of American culture. Evil brutes exist inside and outside American neighborhoods. Bolden testifies that he bought cigarettes from Bobo Evans and that Evans told him about the robbery. He tells his story through handwritten notes and a typewritten screenplay. Monsters are here to stay. 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. A.Universal white male suffrage B.Public education C.Child labor D.Temperance. You'll also receive an email with the link. From 19th century sea serpents to our current. (1 page) Students will compose a summary of the chapter, highlighting the key elements of Poole's text. 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. Regardless of the gruesome event, whether it's the Salem Witch Trials back in the 1600s or 9/11 just 10 years ago, one thing remains constant: Americans are obsessed with them. 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. Wed love to have you back! Excerpt. Salvatore Zinzi, a prisoner at the Rikers Island jail, testifies that another prisoner, Wendell Bolden, told him about the drugstore robbery. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. 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. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. Not only is America guilty of creating its own horrors, failure to acknowledge monsters also creates them (23). Dracula (1931) is based on the fear of foreigners and disease. The Theology of the Early Christians 10 Free Classics! Antiracism Books for Christians A Reading Guide, Thomas Merton Books An Intro Reading Guide. Course Hero is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university. Mary Oliver Essays 10 Prose Selections to Read for Free Online! Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. The author radically departs from the notion that monsters are a metaphor for our fears through the ages. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. 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. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Trick-or-treat! can only mean one thingHalloween. 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. Michelangelo Biographies Best Books on the Renaissance Artist! He also doesn't shy away from the role of the monstrous in helping maintain oppressive regimes and the status quo. All affiliate income is used to support the blog. Monsters in America is W. Scott Poole's interpretive history. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. However, this book was FABULOUS! Monster is told as a first-person account by Steve Harmon, a Black teenager on trial for felony murder in New York. Produced by Johns Hopkins University Press in collaboration with The Sheridan Libraries. 20% The second edition of Monsters leads readers deeper into Americas tangled past to show how monsters continue to haunt contemporary American ideology. He also makes notes about his movie and about details he observes in court. 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. 2715 North Charles StreetBaltimore, Maryland, USA 21218. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Friedrich Nietzsche believed we are the monsters. 2023 Baylor University Press. What is it that rumbles in the American unconscious that relates to the figures we see on the screen. Dorothy Sayers Where to Start with her Mystery Novels? The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. 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. 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.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. 1 (1998): 90-102. Good references in the book that I looked up to further read about horror movies and their importance to our sociological perspective. "New light" evangelists of the eighteenth century, enslaved African Americans, demagogic politicians, and modern American film-makers have used the devil to damn their enemies, explain the nature of evil and injustice, mount social crusades, construct a national identity, and express anxiety about matters as . 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. Reprinted by permission. 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. In his new preface and expanded conclusion, Pooles tale connects to the presentillustrating the relationship between current social movements and their historical antecedents. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. (Gary Laderman, Professor of American Religious History and Cultures, Emory University), (J. Gordon Melton, Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion). After readingMonsters in America, a reader will view monsters in a completely different light. I was thrilled to find a book that went with that mindset. Briggs establishes that the police had shown photos of King to Mrs. Henry before she picked him out of a lineup. 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. 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. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. 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. I often use this in my Freshman Writing courses to show that writing doesn't have to be boring. Why are we scared of this person? is always a question behind each chapter and Poole is careful to never reduce it purely to matters of sociology or psychology while still using those tools of analysis. Go to BN.com to get your copy of these helpful resources. Human beings made him declare "war" by treating him like an enemy. FABULOUS! They are created to explain racism, cover up worse monstrosities and signal changes and the state of the nation at the time. Poole's examples are well-chosen and well-explicated. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% (one code per order). Starting with the Puritan era and the fear of witches and ending with the modern-day fascination with the monsters within us, i.e. 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. These summaries should not exceed one page in length. 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). W. Scott Poole. Scholars will argue over interpretation because that is what scholars do. 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". Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! His footnotes have left me with a massive pile of additional books to read. An unexpected guilty pleasure! Poole offers an insight on America's fascination with monsters. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Steve calls the movie Monster because that is what the prosecutor has called him. Monster in America is a literature book by W. Scott Poole. Contact us 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. Whether your interest is literature, American history, popular culture, race and ethnicity, women's studies, or religion, you would be happy reading this book. There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Best Leonard Cohen Books Biographies and Books by the Songwriter. Unless specifically stated in the review, I have purchased all books reviewed. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter& download your FREE copy of this ebook! For my own part, I have been studying and writing about Gothic horror for some years. 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. Anne Bradstreet Poems Five of our Favorites by the Puritan Poet! If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. | Monsters in America: Steve Harmon, a Black sixteen-year-old, sits in his jail cell and writes in his notebook. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Visit the new website for more about the book, upcoming events, and to keep up with Scott Poole's blog. For Professors: Exam Copies. Written in an accessible, smart and entertaining way, this is a fantastic book. They Poole offers an insight on America's fascination with monsters. There was a problem loading your book clubs. 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). The brother of Zeus and Poseidon, Hades rules the underworld, the realm of the dead, with his wife, Persephone. Poole has set the bar ridiculously high for any future research exploring the locus of historical and cultural studies, particularly as it pertains to the horrific. challenges, enlightens, and, quite honestly, frightens in its prescient view of American history, as well as the seeming ubiquity of the monsters of our past and probable future. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Insightful and brilliant! 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. Component 2: Summary. Purchasing 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 . John Wesley Sermons - The 7 Best Sermons from the Founder of Methodism. Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2014. Learn how your comment data is processed. Howard Thurman Books An Introductory Reading Guide. 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. Renews March 11, 2023 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. I hated this book. (one code per order). Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror, On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! 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. Steve spends his time making movies about himself, often with Jerrys help. 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. Unfortunately, however, the writing just reads as super amateurish and unnatural--to the point where your brain feels exhausted after slogging through only a couple pages. Steve worries about why OBrien turned away from him after winning the case. By adding new discussions of the American West, Poole focuses intently on the Native American experience. Free trial is available to new customers only. Emily Dickinson Poems Seven of our Favorites! Best Bob Dylan Books Biographies, Lyrics, and More! Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021. If it bleeds, it reads. Dorothy Sayers Poems Five of Our Favorites! 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. Monsters in America is lively and entertaining throughout. 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. Component 2: Summary. This book is really good, a look at our monsters in a social conceptional way. Evenhandedness exists in the books last sentence suggesting that liberal visions of social justice could create something worse (228). Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2017. Monsters in America argues that historical, political and social conditions produce narratives of horror and create "monsters." Choose one of the following periods 1.) He reminds the jury of the witnesses criminal records and contends that their unreliability casts reasonable doubt on Kings guilt. )1980-present and discuss ways in which the monsters of the era are the products of historical change, conflict and context. (The medical examiners evidence suggests that the shooter was probably right-handed.) 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. Monstrosities exist in us and therefore they are all around us. 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). $24.99 I also think this could've used a second editor before being published as there are many typos and grammatical errors, as well as a few points that could've used some fact-checking. Petrocelli refers to the defendants as monsters in the community. She then calls two witnesses. When social conservatives oppose something, like - say -. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. on me, relax. There he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. serial killers, each generation faced its own challenges and highlighted its fear within its own monsters. Sometimes it can end up there. He wonders what OBrien saw. The strongest witness for the State is Richard Bobo Evans, who admits that he took part in the robbery. 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 is usually used to reflect an individual's actions; especially, it shows for the wrong act of people. Suppose someone wanted to trace American history through the common coffee cup. Yuckfest. Mr. Pooles evidence is as intriguing as it is informative. The evidence that Poole provides . Poole wants to tell a story and take his readers on a journey, and he definitely does so. History is horror. on 50-99 accounts. Thoughts on books, family, and life in one impressive package. Dont have an account? Suppose someone wanted to trace American history through the common coffee cup. Here's where you'll find analysis of the main themes, motifs, and symbols in Monster. Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2014. 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. W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston. The fear of anything not considered normal or not well-understood e.g. It is not a book on actual monsters but how Americans find monsters in different eras on social constructs. 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. All opinions expressed are uniquely my own. , Poole has now turned his attention to the monsters that inhabit American cinema and American imaginations. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Monsters in America (2nd ed.) Subscribe now. Steve Harmon, a Black sixteen-year-old, sits in his jail cell and writes in his notebook. 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. Another witness testifies that King is left-handed. From Victorian-era mad scientists to modern-day serial killers. Acknowledgements: Thank you to Kelly Hughes from Dechant-Hughes for my review copy! Hades Roman name: Pluto. 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. It's organized well also: a chapter on one specific type of monster and era makes for a really focused and easy to digest historical examination. One wishes for a consistency in commentary. America, like all nations, is made up of monstrous human beings. 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. 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. Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2012. 20% 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. Insightful and brilliant! 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. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. session with vampires and zombies, Poole plots America's past through its fears in this intriguing sociocultural history. Willa Cather Short Stories Five Superb Stories to Read for FREE! Omer-Sherman, Ranen. Design by Booyah Creative. If specters of the past still haunt our present, they may yet invade our future. Before you get all "He's Anti-American!" 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). to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! On Being with Krista Tippett Top 10 Best Episodes! Contact us Copyright Thats What She Read 2009-2013. All rights reserved. Judging from the verbiage, Pooles sub-text for the American monster is conservative-Christian-white-heterosexual-Republican. Jacques Ellul Books An Introductory Reading Guide. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. 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. Hardback: Baylor University Press, 2011. OBrien follows and reminds the jury that the State has not proved any of its charges against Steve. OBrien gathers her papers and moves away, leaving Steve standing with outstretched arms. Henri Nouwen Books An Introductory Reading Guide. The history of America -- one fear, one monster, at a time. Excellent examination of horror movies evolution through the years and also how societal happenings influence the movies at the time they are made. Monsters in America. as uncivilized people and even believed them to be monsters. Specifically, he discusses how the stories like "Pocahontas" and "The. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? 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 You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Subject I have a lot of interest in and the author seems to have done a lot of work/research. It is super nasty, and blood ends up everywhere. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. ! His transitions from movie metaphors to American social ills are often strained if not unconvincing. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. It was just way too "all over the place" for me. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% The man immediately begins screaming about something hidden in the mist that is attacking and killing people. After Steve hears the verdict, he turns to OBrien for a hug. I found it informative, fascinating, thought-provoking and well-written. [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. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. on 50-99 accounts. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! More importantly, what is the definition of a monster? Through the two and a half weeks I took with this book, I have been citing it in conversation. What could we extrapolate on the ways we lived and what we believed during each era?

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