Over the next week we will be exploring how Bram Stoker carefully arranges Dracula to play upon our deepest fears and desires, and we will also consider what Stoker's novel reveals to us about deep human conflicts and preoccupations that we all share (see notes on "The Human Condition" to be given on Monday). After a short unit on Dracula, we will be moving on to The Crucible, which is a tragedy.
Given the material we will be reading, it's worth asking ourselves a simple question: why are people so attracted to stories designed to terrify us or make us sob in despair? What brings hoards of people to the theater to watch The Conjuring or watch Titanic on repeat? What does this say about us?
Please respond with a standard open response, due on Tuesday. Thanks, and don't forget to hang some garlic in your room before bed.
The feeling of being terrified to death, or being trapped in a pit of sorrow, are two very similar emotions. These feelings only appear once in awhile in our daily lives. A day in the life of Charlie, is waking up and going to school, drinking the same SoBe drink in the same cafeteria, and playing C.O.D. before I go to bed. My day doesn't include, demons trying to take my soul, or saying my last goodbyes to my girlfriend before I perish into the depths of the ocean. My point is people pay money to watch movies, and spend hours on end reading romantic novels to get an escape from their dull lives. Seeing the Conjuring in theaters definitely made me tremble, but the adrenaline rush ,was a vacation of it’s own.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people are usually attracted to things that makes them terrified or sob in despair for the obvious reason. We humans tend to get attached to things that are unusual of our own capacity; we lean into things that terrifying because it's not something you see everyday, so when you see it in a movie or theater you get controlled by that object of matter that seems to attach so easily. Humans are strange and they usually try to do normal things that don't show their different side; though when they watch things that horrifies them or makes them sob in despair they kind of like connect to it, making them so into that specific subject. It's almost as if the content of these subjects add food to the imagination of our brain, causing us to be so fascinated in that thing. I feel like it's something unreal which makes our brain so vulnerable to being horrified. Thinking further I believe that scary things tend to help us as humans to cope with the scary things that we encounter in our everyday life, which again, can be really strange, but that's just how our brain tends to work with that certain subject. Connecting with the fact that people also like to watch things that makes them sad or even cry so much is also connected to the strangeness of our brain. We tend to let our emotions take control over us and that's what leads us into being so emotional and so "cheesy" when it comes to watching these movies. Movies like "Titanic" or "The Conjuring" are movies that takes control over our imagination which makes so many people interested in it and are still so fascinated on the idea of it. We as humans are still very stuck with the idea of the weirdness behind all that supernatural, and the "happy ever after" or the tragedy of two lovers that can't seem to stay together; and that's what makes humans so into that kind of stuff, because of the hidden message behind the plot. Humans are very attracted to anything that confuses them or anything that makes them jump out of their seats, for the reason that every time that there's a movie like the Titanic, the theaters fills and you don't even have space to move. Horror and love are two apposite things that when coming in contrast with one another becomes the best pair.
ReplyDeleteAs humans, we are naturally attracted to horror movies and sad movies. We like to terrify ourselves with scary movies or books for many reasons. In our daily lives there are not that many things that cause us to get an adrenaline rush so we like the adrenaline rush the scary movies give us. Also, we know that the movies we watch or the books we read are fiction and they are not our lives and we are able to control them. We like to have the knowledge that if it gets to scary we can shut off the movie or shut the book. In our own lives we like to be able to control everything around us which is why we enjoy watching scary movies but we don’t like horror in our actually lives.
ReplyDeleteAs for sad movies, does it make us bad people to enjoy watching them? No, of course not that is the whole purpose of sad movies. Sad movies are meant to make us think about our own lives, family, friends, and relationships. Watching sad movies makes us realize that no matter what problems in our lives we have there are always worse things out in the world.
There are many different opinions to why we watch terrifying and gory movies, or sad depressing ones. My opinion however is that we want an escape from our average boring lives. We enjoy getting the thrill of watching movies, such as the Conjuring, because nothing like that happens in our daily lives. We are amused by the unrealistic terror scary movies give us, but then heart felt and hopeful that our love lives would be as romantic and sappy as movies such as the Titanic or the Notebook. These movies take over our emotions so strongly because we can imagine ourselves in the character's situations. I know from experience that when watching "chick flicks" girls cry and get emotional because they can relate in some way to the relationships, breakups, and romance in them to their own lives. Knowing that they will never be able to live up to the beauty of the women in the films, or having that perfect relationship, these movies give girls something to dream about, simply an escape from their boring lives. People who are interested and fascinated by terror movies however, see things differently then those who prefer love stories. Terror movies give us the thrill of being scared, excited, and sitting on the edge of our seat just waiting for the bad part to happen. Normally, people are not being chased by supernatural creatures or being chased by a serial killer on a daily basis. By watching these movies, people can imagine what it would be like to have these unrealistic and crazy things happen to them. The movies draw people in to watch more because they are craving to see the ending to the horrific story. Knowing deep down that most likely none of these things will happen to them, watchers are amused by the action and excitement. Movies, whether love or horror, give us all a time to just escape from the world we're in, and dream about things we wish would happen or never happen at all.
ReplyDeleteI think humans enjoy books and movies that make them experience feelings of despair and fear because deep down, everybody has those feelings. Most people don't have these emotions tested in their every day life, and they like being able to experience all they can while in the safety of the home or cinema. Deeply emotional movies like Titanic strike a cord with many people and stay in their hearts because they cause people to feel a deep sadness when the tragedy hits. Horror stories and films attach themselves in the hearts of humans because they get right to the brutal scares that's usually left unaddressed in every day life, and the viewer or reader receives a thrill from experiencing the story as an outsider. I believe there is something very human about enjoying things that trigger emotions, even unpleasant ones, for a short period of time.
ReplyDeleteThough they do not give us a happy feeling, sad movies and scary movies are watched all around the world. The reason people including myself watch scary movies is to enjoy the thrill and the goose bumps that come along with the terrifying plot. We like to imagine how it would be like for ourselves to be in the situation that the character (or characters) in the scary movie are in. People would rather watch a scary movie than be in the actual situation, though. Maybe that is why we like to watch horror films; because after the movie is over, we can just forget about it since we weren’t actually in the situation.
ReplyDeleteSad movies are different though. While watching sad movies, I build a strong connection with characters and follow the story with them. A few sad movies I have watched is because I can make connections with the actual plot. Watching these movies helps me cope with sad things in real life like the characters in the movie do. I’m not sure about other people, but I love to watch scary and sad movies. I usually watch scary movies with friends so we can all get scared and then joke around with each other afterwards about how scared we got. When I watch a sad movie, it’s most likely because I may already be sad about something. Knowing someone is going through something similar, even if it’s just an actor who got paid to be in a silly chick flick, helps me feel better about my own situation. Scary and sad films have and always will be a huge way of entertainment everywhere.
Though they do not give us a happy feeling, sad movies and scary movies are watched all around the world. The reason people including myself watch scary movies is to enjoy the thrill and the goose bumps that come along with the terrifying plot. We like to imagine how it would be like for ourselves to be in the situation that the character or characters in the scary movie are in. People would rather watch a scary movie than be in the actual situation, though. Maybe that is why we like to watch horror films; because after the movie is over, we can just forget about it since we weren’t actually in the situation.
ReplyDeleteSad movies are different though. While watching sad movies, I build a strong connection with characters and follow the story with them. A few sad movies I have watched is because I can make connections with the actual plot. Watching these movies helps me cope with sad things in real life like the characters in the movie do. I’m not sure about other people, but I love to watch scary and sad movies. I usually watch scary movies with friends so we can all get scared and then joke around with each other afterwards about how scared we got. When I watch a sad movie, it’s most likely because I may already be sad about something. Knowing someone is going through something similar, even if it’s just an actor who got paid to be in a silly chick flick, helps me feel better about my own situation. Scary and sad films have and always will be a huge way of entertainment everywhere.
People have been attracted to stories about horror and despair for thousands of years. People usually read books or watch movies because it gives us an escape. Some people like horror stories because it gives them a thrill. They get to feel like they're having an exciting, dangerous adventure without actually being in harm's way.
ReplyDeletePeople often read stories about despair for different reasons. We get sad about stories because they were important to us. We start to care about the characters and what happens to them. If a story makes someone sad, it probably means that something in the story also made them feel good at one point, maybe because they started to like the characters, or they liked the plotline. People also like escaping from the real world and it's problems. You get caught up in a story, and you forget about your own dilemmas. The more you care about fictional character's troubles, the less you care about your own. Even if the story is filled heartbreaking moments, people will read the book or watch the movie and recommend to all their friends, because it made them have feelings about something that wouldn't actually matter in real life.
people have their own reasons for watching either scary movies or thrilling movies. I think the most universal reason is because people like to feel emotions, and connections, weather it be to other humans or actors portraying scenarios in movies. when I watch scary movies I know that I always need to have someone with me because I get scared easily, both in real life and while watching movies. while watching theses movies I don't realize it but I become fond of a certain character and when they get into trouble or bad things happen to them I always feel it, I feel as though I'm actually there with them, waiting to see what is around the next corner. the same goes, not only for scary movies but also sad movies. some sad movies I get sort of emotional when sad things happen to the character. in my opinion I think people watch movies like this to feel the thrills the movie brings or to feel the emotions the film brings.
ReplyDeleteI think alot of people enjoy being able to thoroughly connect themselves with the story and become part of the danger taking place, knowing that they themselves will never be in the position to make the life deciding decisions. They might like seeing how the characters act in the situation and being able to determine themselves if the decisions that they make are the right ones. Also when people really let themselves become a part of the story they are reading they can become a better person from reading these stories. I say this because they see how the heroes in the story act and respond to scenarios and they themselves can take many character traits from these heroes in the story who try to do good. These stories can be very powerful and change people's outlook on alot of things, making them better people and helping them make better choices all based of traits they have absorbed from all the things they have experienced in the stories.
ReplyDeletePeople are so attracted to stories designed to terrify us or make us sob in despair is because as humans we like to do things that are new to us. A majority of people are not terrified in their daily life. So, when the time comes to which they are terrified it excites people and makes them want to keep watching. Movies like the Titanic or the Lucky One make people sob in despair. What keeps those movies on repeat is the love that is in them. A lot of people don’t have the love which they deserve, so they are attracted to movies that show the love that they want. Another thing that keeps horror movies or sad movies on repeat is pressure. Most people don’t want to cry their eyes out or scream out their brains. But all their friends apparently love horror or sad movies so they pretend to as well. So they can escape the embarrassment of all their friends mocking them. This says many things about us. For example it says that some of us (including myself) love to scare ourselves out of our minds. While others love to watch sad movies to remind them about how great their life is or how depressing it is. Then there are people like my sister that pretend to like thing to escape the embarrassment of all the mocking that she would receive. So, I guess at the end of the day people are who they are, and that says a lot.
ReplyDeletePeople watch horror and tragedy movies for their own reasons. Many people watch horror movies so that it elicits an emotion form them like a rush that they crave. They want to see how people will react in the predicaments they are placed in and seeing them cope with the situation. They attempt to connect with the characters and self insert without actually being in any danger. In tragedies many seek out to feel sadness that they would not usually feel or care about in a few hours as you would the death of a friend or relative. They want to connect with the characters and see how they deal with their problems and how we can relate to them. Overall we pay to see movies so that we can get a rush or feel an emotion that we can't get from our normal lives.
ReplyDeleteThe human species thrives and feeds on emotion...OK, that sounds pretty morbid for the beginning of an open response sort of paper but in this case it is completely relevant to the topic on hand. Just like dracula would feed on the blood of humans, us humans sort of feed on emotion. We love having our hearts dramatically ripped from our chest as a character dies a slow and painful death. We can’t help but laugh at the end of a spine tingling thriller because of how stupid we looked while openly weeping in the theatre. What is it that makes us as human beings enjoy suffering through something so heart wrenching as a horror film or a tragedy? I believe story is the main aspect of this phenomenon. People want to live out a crazy and interesting tale, even if it only lasts the length of a 90 minute movie or a 400 page book. Being pulled away from a admittingly boring life is one of the best treats you could ever give yourself. Even if it causes you mental and physical pain, movies and book with great story will pull you in no matter how scared you might get. Some people love being scared because they live for thrills and again want to do something more exciting than they are used to. So while we might get nightmares from some of these horrifying images burned into our minds by the count, I’m sure many of us enjoyed the journey of being taken away to the far off place of transylvania and initially being scared senseless.
ReplyDeleteIt is human nature to want to experience danger and a tense feeling. However, not everyone is willing to put themselves at risk of being mortally wounded or being killed. So we make movies and write books that detail those feelings of tenseness and fear. This allows us to experience these feelings and have the assurance that we are safe. I know that when I read a book or watch a movie about these tense subjects, I get more of a rush than I would if I was in the situation. This is because the calming feeling that i am safe allows me to really get in tone with the characters feelings and even get that little jump scare that the character gets. This emotion crave, so call it, is in my mind part of the human nature, and I think that without it we wouldn't be the same as we are.
ReplyDeleteTerror and tragedy are very intriguing genres. Sad stories have us connect with the book or movie, or they give us feeling. Some people (including me) cry over books, movies if they get to you in a certain way. But it all depends how you take it in. Scary books and scary movie are my favorite. They excite me, and im sure they excite others too. Its the intense moments and "when is he going to pop-out?" What gets to me is, could this happen? Movies and books that make you think after you read or watch them usually were written and acted well. it seems realistic enough. The books and movies make it seem that it could happen to anyone. For all we know...it could.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the human mind enjoys the emotions of being terrified or sad. Both of these emotions cause us to feel emotions that are not always felt by the human mind and body. I believe that scary movies give us an excitement that we don’t always feel in our daily lives. In the crazy horror movies that so many of us love, we are excited but at the same time we know that what is going on in scary movies, such as Saw, is mainly or completely fiction. These horror movies may scare us but we can always shut it off because it is a fear that we can control, unlike a natural fear of heights while walking near the edge of a cliff. While reading a book or watching a movie we are able to control the emotions we feel to a degree. If the author is exceptional with his writing then sometimes you may feel that you are actually in the scene taking place. I believe people flock to the theaters to watch scary movies such as “The Conjouring” or sad movies such as “The Titanic” because the movies thrill their emotions, yet they can control them.
ReplyDeleteI believe that humans enjoy sad movies because it helps us understand that we have it better than a lot of other people and that life could be a lot worse. Also, it makes us think about “What if that was me?”. Sad movies make us relate the situation to the lives of our family and friends as well. In sad movies people can make connections a lot of the time. When watching a sad movie, I know that I may see a character feel sad for something and then say I have felt sad because of something like that before too. Horror and sad movies can bring out great emotions, that no other genres can do.
I believe he reason us as humans are so attracted to horror and tragedy is because it gives us a thrill like no other. Within in a horror and tragedy there are three elements that we don't get everyday; suspense, despair, and victory. The suspense is what drives us to keep watching it although we know that right around the corner is despair or the climax. This is when everything goes down... people die and its not a good time. But right after the usual carnage there is one who survives, And you feel a sense of happiness and closure from one character surviving. I believe its this order of emotions that drives us to desire to watch these kind of movies and read these kind of books. This rapid changing of emotions is truly unique to horror and tragedies.
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