The Monsters Inside Me Essay - 1382 Words

In my Painting 2 class, which I took in the fall of 2012, my instructor Chris Finley suggested to me that I, being an aspiring and acting art teacher, apply my curricula to myself. So I thought back to my most successful lesson, â€Å"Aaagh! Monsters!† In that class, I asked my students, ages 5 through 8 year olds, to create a monster of their own. We did a little research into the monsters other people had created in books, in other appropriate visual media, and throughout history. I then asked them to tell me specific things about their monsters like their names, where they lived, what they ate, and so on, so that they could gain a better understanding of who or what their monsters were and be able to depict them more clearly. The children†¦show more content†¦A monster is generally morally objectionable, physically or psychologically hideous, and/or a freak of nature. It can also be applied figuratively to a person with similar characteristics such as a greedy pers on or a person who does horrible things: â€Å"that person is a monster†. The word monster derives from the Latin word monstrum, which is an unusual occurrence that was taken as a sign that something was wrong within the natural order of the world or it may indicate something evil. However, the root of monstrum is the Latin word monere, which does not only mean to warn, but also to instruct. Therefore, a monster can also be seen as a sign or a lesson to be learned. This nonthreatening interpretation was proposed by Saint Augustine, who did not see the monster as inherently evil, but as part of the natural design of the world, a kind of deliberate, categorical error. A â€Å"monster† can mean many things depending on the circumstances surrounding its existence and/or behavior. Let’s narrow it down though by looking at some examples. Monsters have been shown throughout history and the media in many different forms and contexts. In order to understand how society d efines monsters, let’s categorize them into three basic categories of monsters as they appear to us most often. The first category of monsters is mythical and legendary monsters. A mythical or legendary monster is known through a story, poem, or oral tale. TheyShow MoreRelatedFrankenstein, By Mary Shelly1192 Words   |  5 Pagestheir hearts and start to rebel. For instance, the monster rebels against Dr. Frankenstein; stating Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? Why, in that instant did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed? I know not; despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feelings were those of rage and revenge† (Shelly 146). The monster starts to rebel against its creator because it has a deep hatred and sorrow inside of him. There is a void within himself, as he doesRead MoreAnalysis Of Inside Out And Frankenstein 1480 Words   |  6 Pages Inside Out and Frankenstein may have multiple similarities, but t he fact that they are so different is unbelievable that they can be alike in so many ways. Inside out was published in 2010 is a dystopian work taking place in the future where Frankenstein was published in 1818 is a horror story taking place in the past. Inside out is about a girl named Trella who is un-happy with her way of life because she lives in an over populated metal box, and is told what to do every minute of theRead MoreEssay on 13/10/666, Where Am I?830 Words   |  4 Pagesnight. I was running away from something but I wasn’t sure what I was running away from. I scampered with exhaustion as the forest closed on me like a pair of jaws. I also had no idea where I was. My eyesight was distorted by the troubling unavoidable mist. I noticed that a small black figure with great yellowish green eyes had passed through my path which caused me to trip over a branch and fall to the ground with a â€Å"THUD!† I started to regain my consciousness as the mist gradually cleared away. OnceRead MoreFrankenstein by Mary Shelley Essay1127 Words   |  5 Pages Archetypal Characters inside Frankenstein The novel â€Å"Frankenstein† by Mary Shelley involves the complex issues with the creation of life through an inanimate life. Shelley uses these character archetypes to develop a deeper meaning of the characters intentions. Shelley does an excellent job at allowing the reader to have a peak at the characters inner thoughts and feelings. The archetypes presented in Frankenstein allow readers to identify with the characters role and purpose. The foremostRead MoreRecurring Motif # 1 : Passive Women1012 Words   |  5 PagesRecurring Motif #1: Passive Women Quote #1: â€Å"But I do not pretend that my protestations should acquit me; I rest my innocence on a plain and simple explanation of the facts† (Shelley 83). Quote #2: â€Å"She left me, and I continued some time walking up and down the passages of the house and inspecting every corner that might afford a retreat to my adversary†¦when suddenly I heard a shrill and dreadful scream† (Shelley 210). Quote #3: â€Å"[A]nd endeavoured to secure him more entirely in his interests by theRead MoreNature vs. Nurture in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley884 Words   |  4 Pagesencountered turn him evil? Are ones surroundings determined by who they become later in life? Does nurture form ones characteristics that will determine who someone is later in life? Mary Shelley used these questions as an approach to show that the monster is intelligent, but destructive, and had guilt due to his environment and isolation. The monster’s guilt due to its environment made it dangerous to begin with. Each of the sources will discuss the argument of nature vs. nurture, and how they areRead MoreComparing Smartphones with The Matrix1029 Words   |  5 PagesBradbury is a story of a writer who walks the streets in the middle of the night. However, he lives in a time where people only stay inside watching TV unless working. The grass is even growing through the sidewalk and there is only need for on e police car because crime levels are terribly low. Technology had essentially consumed the entire population; keeping them inside their houses unless they are working. ‘Leonard Mead’, who is the only person outside in the whole city tried calling out to peopleRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1603 Words   |  7 Pagescontaining gothic themes, but with more profound meaning in the message that the novel tries to convey. Shelley’s use of imagery especially of the monster and how people react upon seeing him is an perfect example for how she held a broken mirror to society showing how people react to things that are different and unknown. In the novel the monster is a greater metaphor for people that fall into the category for being offbeat from the social norm. Even today decades since the publication of FrankensteinRead MoreMonsters Created by Uncontrolled Emotions: Examples of the Greek Mythical Characters Thesee, Oenone and Phedre1061 Words   |  4 PagesMonsters are often part of the imagination; they are beasts that physically look hideous. Greek mythology is full of monsters that the hero like Theseus or Hercules has to kill in order to achieve his glorious fate. However, there are other types of monsters, not based on their physical attributes, but because of the acts that they commit. Jean Racine in his play Phedre shows these psychological monsters who, based on appearance, look like any other character in the story, but it is their actionsRead MoreDescriptive Essay - Original Writing829 Words   |  4 Pagesthe crunching of the dead leaves. I could only see two feet in front of me because the fog was thicker than blood. There was a sinister feeling within the air. The wind felt brisk against my skin. I ambled down the path. As I was walking, I passed by a desolate house that I didn’t recognize. As I passed by, I felt a chill trickle down my spine. The house was a meager little cottage, but it seemed to hold somet hing more inside. The wood panels were drab, ashen, with several fractures. The lawn was