Ellen, I found the issue touched upon in the interview about horror and childhood rather interesting. It's something I've mulled over a lot.
I think most horror is entrenched in childhood experiences. At that point we have little control and an incomplete comprehension of how the world works. A great deal of the world is scary - why your parents fight, why the bully down the street picks on you, why Great Aunt Agatha smells that way, the weird conversations adults have that go over your head - you know you are missing something, but it's just out of reach.
This powerlessness combined with an active imagination invents monsters that haunt us - the awful darkness under the bed, the closet door that will not stay shut, the tree by the window that casts weird shadows, etc. The world is mysterious, barely understood, and there is a great deal out there that can hurt us. These experiences are so strong that even when we are adults, and have a better, rational understanding of the world, certain events can throw us back into those childish moments of horror: being alone in a house after watching a horror movie, etc.
I suspect that Horror always circles around the issue of powerlessness, and truly gripping horror explores that issue and discovers a way for the protagonist to regain his/her power.
Hi Maura I'm often asked in interviews "why do you love horror"? and I don't really have an answer. I've been reading it since I was a kid.
You may have something there. Certainly most horror does depend on the "powerlessness" of at least one of the characters. Whether it comes from being children or just the human condition I don't know.
Anyone else have opinions on why horror affects those of us who love it?
If I ever finish Clute's The Darkening Garden then surely I will have all the answers :)
When I read horror, I expect one or the more of the following emotional responses: dreadful suspense, fear, or revulsion. The emotions I'm most likely to experience are dreadful suspense and/or revulsion.
I think it's fine to not really have an answer for why you love horror. At best, all one could do is describe what one enjoys about horror. At worst, one could visit a therapist for the truth :)
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I think most horror is entrenched in childhood experiences. At that point we have little control and an incomplete comprehension of how the world works. A great deal of the world is scary - why your parents fight, why the bully down the street picks on you, why Great Aunt Agatha smells that way, the weird conversations adults have that go over your head - you know you are missing something, but it's just out of reach.
This powerlessness combined with an active imagination invents monsters that haunt us - the awful darkness under the bed, the closet door that will not stay shut, the tree by the window that casts weird shadows, etc. The world is mysterious, barely understood, and there is a great deal out there that can hurt us. These experiences are so strong that even when we are adults, and have a better, rational understanding of the world, certain events can throw us back into those childish moments of horror: being alone in a house after watching a horror movie, etc.
I suspect that Horror always circles around the issue of powerlessness, and truly gripping horror explores that issue and discovers a way for the protagonist to regain his/her power.
Well, it's a theory... ;)
From:
no subject
I'm often asked in interviews "why do you love horror"? and I don't really have an answer. I've been reading it since I was a kid.
You may have something there. Certainly most horror does depend on the "powerlessness" of at least one of the characters. Whether it comes from being children or just
the human condition I don't know.
Anyone else have opinions on why horror affects those of us who love it?
From:
no subject
When I read horror, I expect one or the more of the following emotional responses: dreadful suspense, fear, or revulsion. The emotions I'm most likely to experience are dreadful suspense and/or revulsion.
I think it's fine to not really have an answer for why you love horror. At best, all one could do is describe what one enjoys about horror. At worst, one could visit a therapist for the truth :)