Horror Discussion

Great turnout for the discussion on horror this past week. The Matheson short stories that we read aloud provided some entertainment as well as challenge as there was no punctuation in the "stream of conscious" narrative. I particularly enjoyed some of the points made regarding the purpose and function of horror. The idea of "monster" and the relationship to our humanity was interesting. I do believe that horror allows us to excise that part of our humanity that we view as "evil, dark, monstrous" and view it as separate from ourselves -- to personify it in such a way as to make it other than us. I also buy the idea that horror does allow the vicarious experiences of the "darker side" so as to purge it from our inner selves. Rather "cleansing" like the Greek tragedy.