Gothic Horror - Monster Mash.

Today's seminar with Kat was very interesting and informative. She talked a lot about the physiological and psychoanalytical approaches we have towards Gothic horror, 'horrific' or 'scary' characters and monsters and other linking aspects of the Gothic Horror. Something new that I learnt from todays seminar was, understanding how 'monsters' in film and literature subconsciously and consciously portray and create anxieties and fears within ourselves. I was unaware how physiological Gothic horror literature and its characters were and found it the origins of these 'Monsters' fascinating. 

Notes 

Frankenstein. 
In response to the story Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, there was questioning and fear in regards of the development and progress of Science. Frankenstein himself was created by a monster and many of the characters in the book portray someone real in Mary Shelley's life or even mind. Whilst doing some further research I found a physiological analysis of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, written by someone else, explaining the different physiological factors throughout the novel and the characters. 


"By focusing on Victor Frankenstein and the creature, Mary Shelley succeeded in creating a novel that mirrors a personal story as well as many of the intellectual and aesthetic themes of the romantic era. It is obvious that Victor Frankenstein suffers from a mental disorder in the shape of pathological narcissism. Therefore, focusing on the disorder might be a useful prism for the understanding of the novel and its subsequent influence on popular culture." 

- Quote sourced from http://www.indadvendt.dk/2012/03/a-psychological-analysis-of-frankenstein/ written by Majken Hirche.


Edward Scissorhands.
Edward Scissorhands as a character represents a misunderstood, confused monster that desires to be normal and fit into society. The quote below is taken from allegory discussing the character of Edward Scissorhands in Tim Burton's film, Cory Sampson explains how,why and what Edward Scissorhands portrays as his character in the film.

"Nevertheless, this film seems to aptly support the notion of Burton as an auteur, as the allegorical structure of the film is supported by its cinematography, and its message is in keeping with the common theme of disability and the well-meaning outsider often explored by Burton in both films and books; here, it seems as though Burton has, either accidentally or intentionally, constructed a near-perfect allegory of a man afflicted with the autistic spectrum disorder known as Asperger’s Syndrome."

- Quote sourced from http://www.mimarkit.com/tim-burtons-edward-scissorhands-as-a-psychological-allegory/ Written By Cory Sampson.


Baron Semedi - Master of Death.

Baron Semedi is a popular 'Loa' (Spirit) part of the Hatian Vodou, Vodou originated from the Caribbean and was then spread across the world to places such as France. Baron Semedi is usually dressed in a top hat, dark round glasses without lenses, a black tail coat and oddly cotton plugs in his nostrils, this is so he can resemble a corpse. Baron Semedi has a skull like pale face and a distinctive nasally voice. Baron Semedi is known for his disruptive and obscene behaviour and is never without a cigar or bottle of rum. As well as being the master of death Baron Semedi is also a giver of life and usually greets corpses after they are buried taking them to the afterworld. 

Some information above was sourced from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Samedi.

The popularity of zombie movies is a response to ageing western society.
The nature of ghosts change/depend on their situation, many ghosts live and function as normal whilst dead where as other ghosts live tormented and upset as they don't want to let go. 

Werewolves

Werewolves are a hybrid of a Helman wolf. 
Selfhood - a distinct focus on the self
Werewolves are presented as negative, alien and threatening to the social collective 'intericrized' 

Vampires 

'Nosferatu' 1922 German expressionist silent horror film.
First representation of the 'Vampire'
Vampires started to evolve and change into more human 'normal' forms
'Dracula infused culture'
Projecting our fears through the vampire
Hunger- commical interpretation of Vampires feeding
The evolution of Vampires they present them as living a glamorous, superior, privileged capitalist lifestyle were Vampires are the consumers and powerful.
Through vampires we can project our fears and anxieties etc diseases, death, illnesses
All anxieties and fears can be formed in Gothic Horror/ monster genre
'Interview with a Vampire' was a response to the disease aids and the link between blood, human sexuality, death and disease.
'Twilight' projects our fear of ageing in the form of sparkling, flawless, immortal, indestructible Vampire skin.

After looking at Kats powerpoint we did a small activity in groups of three, brainstorming our approach to different monsters, my group got 'Charismatic maker' which we developed into 'Mad Scientist'. This was a good activity as it was interesting to hear other peoples opinions and views of what the typical Mad Scientist would look like, we also discussed where we had seen a character like that before in regards of films and books etc. We only knew one film which was Frankenstein but Kat suggested the film 'The Fly' a film created in the 70's about a scientist who's experiment goes very wrong.