"Two Parts Gore and One Pinch Walking Dead: What Exactly Is Horror Fiction?" by Linda Holland-Toll.

 

1. Why do you think Holland-Toll uses the word dis/ease with a separation between the prefix and root? How does this usage affect your understanding of the word?

2.   Holland-Toll states that she disagrees with Stephen King's point that horror fiction sees disestablishment as resolving into affirmation and reconfirmation of cultural values. I contend that the most effective horror fiction, disaffirmative horror fiction, is that which subverts and lays bare the cultural assumptions which we use to avoid facing certain unpleasant realities.

What is Holland-Toll saying here? Try to paraphrase her point. Discuss recent movies/books that might fall within this category of "disaffirmative horror."

3.  Discuss Holland-Toll's analysis of the "monster." What does it mean when she says, "'horror fiction constructs the monster in order to discuss the human condition'"? What do you think she means when she says that the monster is "'the site of humanity'"?

 

  How does Holland-Toll define the term "monster"? Where in the essay is this definition provided? Do you agree with her definition? Are there additional elements you would add to this?

 

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

1 HollandTolls use of the word disease with a separation between the prefix and root likely serves t... View the full answer