monsters in america sparknotes

The book is rich in history, pop culture references, and analysis. 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. 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. Books About Race in America; Coretta Scott . Henri Nouwen Books An Introductory Reading Guide. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. This exciting work blends the study of horror films, comic books, religious texts and newspaper accounts of "satanic panics" into a highly readable analysis of the concept of the devil in American cultural history. Good references in the book that I looked up to further read about horror movies and their importance to our sociological perspective. Excellent examination of horror movies evolution through the years and also how societal happenings influence the movies at the time they are made. The horrible treatment of indigenous peoples and slaverys practice is sin that stains Americas history. After Steve testifies, OBrien puts Mr. Sawicki, his film teacher, on the stand. on me, relax. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! After readingMonsters in America, a reader will view monsters in a completely different light. We can anticipate either alien salvation or judgment from beyond. 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. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. He states that he knows James King and Osvaldo Cruz, but only casually. 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. Best Leonard Cohen Books Biographies and Books by the Songwriter. With Monsters in America, W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. 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. 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'm just saying that throughout the country's history, there have been some pretty dark times. Briggs establishes that the police had shown photos of King to Mrs. Henry before she picked him out of a lineup. He also doesn't shy away from the role of the monstrous in helping maintain oppressive regimes and the status quo. What I discovered is that Poole should have written two books: his perspective on American history, another on monsters. Poole states that, in actuality, that the Europeans saw the natives as uncivilized people and even believed them to be monsters. The tendency to view American monsters as primarily psychological archetypes ignores how closely they have reflected actual historical events and actual historical victims.". , W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. Friedrich Nietzsche believed we are the monsters. Monsters in America instead should acknowledge monsters exist in every culture, every tribe, every era. I want to start out by saying that I absolutely love the notion behind this book. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. 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. The Best C.S. 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 agrees telling us early and often You are the main character in this terror-filled little tale (xviii). A monster, in most cases, is something that challenges human morality or customs, or rather, a single group of people's moralities. If you've got an interest in horror, this is definitely worth a read. 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. by W. Scott Poole. This well-written and thought provoking book examines what scares us and what monsters in popular entertainment have to say about our fears and values in society. Poole presents his findings methodically through well-documented facts and similar studies. There was a problem loading your book clubs. 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. Steve writes about his fear, anger, and pain and his rising sense of panic about the outcome of his trial. In fact, perhaps our own beliefs about monsters and their intractable nature help to produce the monsters we fear the most., I've had a question for a long time. Petrocelli, OBrien, and Briggs make opening statements on the first day of Steves trial. ", 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. Component 2: Summary. After Steve hears the verdict, he turns to OBrien for a hug. Then it is OBriens turn to present the defense of Steve. Sophfronia Scott - The Seeker and the Monk [Review], James Atwood - Collateral Damage - Brief Review, Emily M.D. . All affiliate income is used to support the blog. Steves lawyer, Kathy OBrien, urges Steve to take his situation seriously because this crime could put him in jail for twenty years or more. Purchasing These summaries should not exceed one page in length. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Petrocelli refers to the defendants as monsters in the community. She then calls two witnesses. 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. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. (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. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Well-written and engaging,Monsters in Americais a must-read for anyone fascinated by history or monsters or both. Spring 2021 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! 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 content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Simplistic and not incredibly thoughtful, but useful for my purposes, Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2012. When meeting the natives, he saw their way of life as barbaric and uncivilized. Insightful and brilliant! 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 a work that touches on the many facets of Horror in America. Just about all the scarey things that crawl into popular media hail from the leaf-littered shadowy forests that haunt the American mind. is lively and entertaining throughout. 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. Here's where you'll find important quotesfrom Monsterand explanations of them. More than mere metaphors, they are creations of human fears and human ignorance. 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. If it bleeds, it reads. 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. Monsters in America does a phenomenal job examining American history through the lens of monsters and the monstrous. Imprint: Baylor University Press. In the end, though, I could easily see assigning parts of this book to undergraduates. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. The book made a few strong points, but ultimately it was a mediocre read. Sabbath Books Best Reads for Christians on Rest and Sabbath! Discount, Discount Code 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. (one code per order). 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. 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. Dont have an account? W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston, where he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. The jail guards come in, and everyone lines up against the wall while they get rubber-gloved. An excellent study for any student of history or media but also fun and accessible for any fan of monsters and the movies. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. as uncivilized people and even believed them to be monsters. OBrien reminds jurors of reasonable doubt and states firmly that Steves guilt has not been proven. Associated with war, cleverness, and wit, it is no surprise that she favors Odysseus. View all For me, there are intertwined. For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2012. I suppose history could be read into just about any object. 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. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. the bell witch, the roanaoke colony, etc.) 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 . Monster in America is a literature book by W. Scott Poole. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Please provide specific examples to support your answers. Twelve Important Theology Books of 2021!!! Poole explains his parameters of a monsters nature from the outside, in: monsters are a product of our collective hatreds outside the human psyche. By so delimiting his interpretation, Poole mirrors his stated concern for other theories that monster interpretations are reductive and overdeterminative (13-18). Highly recommended for horror or monster fans with an interest in American history; slightly less so for American history buffs with a hobby in monster entertainments. These summaries should not . Our main man wonders how anyone can get used to the slammer. 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. 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. You'll also receive an email with the link. 1 (1998): 90-102. Steves parents are glad he is home, but the distance between Steve and his father is growing. Dont have an account? 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 Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2017. I often use this in my Freshman Writing courses to show that writing doesn't have to be boring. 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. Its not a salacious book, either. I am fiercely passionate about two things: History and Monsters. Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. But he also shows that the monstrous can be sympathetic, that it can also be used by the oppressed to speak back to the mainstream. Bram Stoker Award finalist W. Scott Poole is the author of numerous books and articles on monsters and mayhem in popular culture. 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. Go to BN.com to get your copy of these helpful resources. Call me crazy, but I don't think a historian's role ought to be the reaffirmation of modern feelings of superiority over everyone else who has ever lived. Classic Gratitude Poems Joy Harjo, Mary Oliver, MORE. The author radically departs from the notion that monsters are a metaphor for our fears through the ages. 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. Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Here's where you'll find analysis of the main themes, motifs, and symbols in Monster. I was pretty fascinated through this whole book. Dorothy Sayers Poems Five of Our Favorites! Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting. Want 100 or more? Pooles constant harangue against anything conservative is a thin criticism to begin, stretched beyond any semblance of recognition by the end of the book. [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. 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". Which one would you like to know more about and why? You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. Often fascinating attempt to look at monsters through the lens of American history, Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2011. BUY . Reading this for research for a paper I am writing for a creative nonfiction class for college, but what an interesting book regardless! She continues to assert that Steve served as the lookout for the robbery and is as guilty as the others. A must read for fans of horror and monsters! Probably more 3.5 stars. 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. 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. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% new monsters appear as American society evolves, paralleling fluctuating challenges to the cultural status quo. 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. Steve is about to stand trial for felony homicide. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. 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. Evans states that King was his partner in the robbery and that Steve served as the lookout. Here we not only meet such monsters but also discover America's cultural monstrosity. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! We've quickly looked at a wide variety of Native Cultures across the Americas. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. I used this as a textbook for a themed English course: Monsters, Myths, and Magic. C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. 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. This isnt a book for the squeamish as Poole details how a horror film like Candyman is based in fact to a great deal. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. Poole offers an insight on America's fascination with monsters. The kind of monsters depends on the era. He is the author of several books, including a biography of H.P Lovecraft, which became a Bram Stoker award finalist, and. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. The pages are littered with characterizations which demonize only a conservative set of ideas. These monsters are created by multiple aspects of society and give meaning to the culture as well. Ten Important Women Theologians To Start Reading. It's no secret that America is a little messed up. Steve spends his time making movies about himself, often with Jerrys help.