| Stingy Jack |
06-22-2004 02:43 PM |
When I first began college, I was strong into horror. A HUGE portion of my library was loaded with cheap horror paperbacks, and Stephen King hardcovers. Because I majored in English, I found myself often in the company of artistic snobs. This wasn't an entirely awful experience: it helped me to develop my own objective opinions as to what constitutes a literary work as opposed to something written simply to entertain the masses. However, it did cause me to suppress my love of horror for a time while I devoured (and developed a deep love for) the literary genre. I also stopped watching horror movies on such a frequent basis, limiting my time to those movies that were deemed "important" or "influential". The artistic films. I'm not too ashamed I did this, either. My experiences with Art (capital "A") in the realm of literature and film have deepened my understanding of the human condition, and played a major role in the ways I look at the world and interact with those around me. BUT -- and this is the point for my writing this -- many people in my circle see horror fans as people with "no taste in art". If it isn't complex, delves into understanding some deep aspect of humanity, and of superior quality ... then it isn't worth the time to enjoy. It is just fluff thrown together by people who aren't really artists, but artistic whores pandering to the masses (more interested in money than creating art.)
I agree on a certain level with this view. I think the real Art out there is far more important to us, as human beings, than the mindless fluff. BUT, I also think that horror (fear, despair, terror) produces emotions in people that are real and genuine, and CAN be explored on a higher, more artistic level ... and to discount the entire genre because it is "horror" is closed-minded and self-destructive. There are things you can find in the field of horror that you can ONLY find in the field of horror ... and if one is to say that one's understanding of humanity is well-rounded, one MUST experience a lot of what horror has to offer.
Plus, it's fun! We (I mean English teachers) don't always have to be stuffy scholars. We should be able to indulge every once in a while! By the way, one of Julia Child's favorite snacks was Cheetos!
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