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fandomhigh2010-02-01 07:30 am
chosehumanity) wrote in fandomhigh2010-02-01 07:30 am
Entry tags:
Horror 101, Monday
"When we talk about monsters, the first image that jumps to mind is usually something slavering and ugly out of Lovecraft," Mitchell began, idly. "Or the monster within ourselves, whatever. It's about fear, and there is very little people fear more than death. Death is this intangible thing, just this close to touch, this... big inevitability. Everyone dies. But what happens when we pass that veil, when we've stepped through that door?"
Mitchell took a moment to himself, then continued. "Ghosts. The souls of the dead. They are maybe the most basic of all ideas of horror, of terror. They've been written as malevolent, they've been portrayed as benevolent, but they are always frightening reminders of our own mortality, of our longing for longevity, immortality, and our fear of it. Even in our age, a lot of people are frightened of what flits by them in the dark. We won't live in houses where someone died, we hide from the knocks and creaks of our houses in the dark."
"We have stories that were kept from long before the beginning of our calendar about ghosts seeking out revenge on those who killed them while they were alive. The ancient Greeks once considered them mere whisps of something or other, but the legend of them quickly molded them into something haunting. The Romans thought they could be used as fuel for curses, and since there have been many stories about ghosts driving people out of their homes."
He shrugged a shoulder. "I could tell you about the renaissance, and that whole rubbish about necromancy, but it wouldn't teach you much. I could speak to you about all the films, but let's face it - if you're from this time, you'll have seen ghost films. You'll have heard of seances, of people coming together to call ghosts towards them to talk to them about what became of their families. Ghosts can be frightening," he finished, "But often it's more our own expectations that get the better of us. After all, how terrifying are idle noises and random movements?"
He hopped off the couch. "I asked you to meet me in the Danger Shop because we're doing things differently this time around," he said. "No films. No discussion. I'd just like you all to go in there."
He pointed at the door behind him.
"We'll see how you react."
[[wait for the ocd up! ]]
Mitchell took a moment to himself, then continued. "Ghosts. The souls of the dead. They are maybe the most basic of all ideas of horror, of terror. They've been written as malevolent, they've been portrayed as benevolent, but they are always frightening reminders of our own mortality, of our longing for longevity, immortality, and our fear of it. Even in our age, a lot of people are frightened of what flits by them in the dark. We won't live in houses where someone died, we hide from the knocks and creaks of our houses in the dark."
"We have stories that were kept from long before the beginning of our calendar about ghosts seeking out revenge on those who killed them while they were alive. The ancient Greeks once considered them mere whisps of something or other, but the legend of them quickly molded them into something haunting. The Romans thought they could be used as fuel for curses, and since there have been many stories about ghosts driving people out of their homes."
He shrugged a shoulder. "I could tell you about the renaissance, and that whole rubbish about necromancy, but it wouldn't teach you much. I could speak to you about all the films, but let's face it - if you're from this time, you'll have seen ghost films. You'll have heard of seances, of people coming together to call ghosts towards them to talk to them about what became of their families. Ghosts can be frightening," he finished, "But often it's more our own expectations that get the better of us. After all, how terrifying are idle noises and random movements?"
He hopped off the couch. "I asked you to meet me in the Danger Shop because we're doing things differently this time around," he said. "No films. No discussion. I'd just like you all to go in there."
He pointed at the door behind him.
"We'll see how you react."
[[