horror genre, halloween
Theoretical Issues in the Horror FilmIn this essay, you are required to discuss any (one) of the topics covered in the module, and demonstrate how such a theoretical paradigm informs an understanding of a particular horror film of your choice, but not one already on the module or that you chose for your first essay. Obviously, this essay requires greater evidence of secondary reading, but it should not ignore some textual analysis in order to demonstrate the theoretical principles you are highlighting.There are many different issues and theories surrounding the study of the horror genre, and in order to gain a greater level of understanding of the genre one must analyse all of these different elements thoroughly. Such topics which warrant discussion are genre, and the sub-genres associated with it, its audience, issues of gender, sexuality and representation, structural and narrative approach, aesthetic values, etc. Obviously an essay discussing all of these elements in depth would be huge, so in the following essay I aim to look mainly at gender, sexuality and sexual representation in John Carpenters Halloween (1978). I will also outline briefly some of the other issues which warrant discussion, and relate them to m
However right near the beginning of the film we see Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) handed a joint by her friend, which she takes and smokes. The film is also a favourite among theorists in both categorisation and conventions of the horror genre, and gender issues in film. This is the rule which is violated in horror films in order for the consequences to occur, but is this a strict rule for Halloween, or for the whole sub-genre? Are there any other violations which can result in the same kind of consequences? When Lynda is murdered, it is after committing such offences. So is the puritan-like rule of 'sex = death' as concrete in Halloween as it is in other 'slasher' films? Most theorists argue strongly that Halloween follows this moralistic code, and that it is anti-feminist, portraying women as sexually illicit and weak. Clover also notes another convention of the final girl: "The Final Girl is boyish, in a word. "Often the killer is motivated by a past sexual trauma activated by the sexual promiscuity of the victims he stalks, a convention that has led critics to see slasher movies as staunchly conservative in their sexual ideology" (Blandford, 2001. 'Halloween' was shot in 1978 by John Carpenter, on a relatively small budget of $130,000. it is simply more frightening if the monster attacks the female character; the male spectator can identify with the hero who finally kills the monster, thereby indulging his vanity as protector of the helpless female. Halloween falls into one of three main slasher categories, it is the type in which we know who the killer is and why he is killing from the beginning, (the other two being psychological horrors e. ' Most slasher films play down this feminist element of the genre, but despite its misogynous inclinations, it must be acknowledged that the slasher genre in particular consistently shows women using self-defence effectively. But do the same rules apply to drink and drugs? According to Kevin Williamson's script for screen, these are 'rule number two', and an extension of the 'no-sex rule'. Genre is an important element in the analysis of horror films, and through watching horror films over a period of years, it becomes part of our socialisation process, and we grow used to the conventions and techniques used in the horror genre. 150)Another element of the horror genre, or more specifically the slasher sub-genre, that is also worthy of discussion is its narrative structure.
Common topics in this essay:
Steven Penrod,
Final Girl,
Vera Dika,
Carol Clover's,
Vivian Sobchack,
Horror Film,
Isabel Pinedo,
Carpenters Halloween,
Mikel Koven,
Terror Tale,
koven 2003,
sexual activity,
horror genre,
horror films,
gender sexuality,
final girl,
vera dika,
cited koven 2003,
dika 1990,
cited koven,
warrant discussion,
discussion issues discussed,
warrant discussion issues,
1990 cited koven,
illicit sexual activity,
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Acceptance Essays
