Fear In Different Genres By Mizov Essay Example

dashed through the forest. This left us wondering about what they were running away from, heightening our sense of fear. Although this moment quickly passed and was easily forgotten, a lingering sense of fear remained.

As we progressed through the film and were introduced to Magua, an Indian character whose speech and body language seemed suspicious, it became apparent that he had hidden motives. Yet we could only speculate on what those motives might be.As Magua acted as a scout guiding two women and a troop regiment through the woods, it became evident that something significant was about to occur.The signs indicating imminent action caused our pulses to quicken and anticipation to build.Sitting at the edge of our seats nervously waiting.A sudden attack by a group of Indian braves emerging from the woods elevated our fear even further.
In that moment, the lives of the main characters were feared for upon their recent introduction. Despite predictability, they manage to survive, yet a brief moment of fear overwhelms us. As we proceed towards the attacked fort, fear engulfs our minds. Throughout the film, we repeatedly fear for the main characters' lives in various life-threatening situations. However, it is at the end of the film where our hearts truly stop. Magua captures the two female characters and Mohicans swiftly ascend the mountain to rescue them. Approaching the peak, they catch up to Magua and a brutal fight ensues. One Mohican engages in a one-on-one battle with Magua, instilling belief in viewers that good will always conquer evil.

The Mohican jumps off the mountain and dies, shocking the viewer. The viewer then remembers that his new love witnessed it all.

This horrifies her as she realizes she will have to live without him, so she too jumps to the rocks below to be with him forever. It is uncommon for both main characters to die in fear-inducing films, making these scenes rare. The title becomes meaningful as the father of the full
Mohican and half-Mohican men truly becomes the last of his race. Moving on to another film called Bartleby, it is based on Herman Melville's novel and does not evoke intense fear but rather a subtle level of fear that emerges when struggling to fall asleep at night. Bartleby starts off normal but gradually becomes stranger and stranger, causing other characters in the film to fear him due to misunderstanding. Bartleby represents a unique type of fear where someone appears ordinary but their thoughts remain elusive. Lastly, The Lottery explores fear primarily through the fear of death and also delves into underlying fears such as the fear of change.The lottery has been a tradition in the town since it was established, with the belief that it will bring a prosperous harvest. The lottery randomly selects someone from the community and stones them to death in order to ensure a good harvest. When an elderly man mentions that a neighboring town has stopped doing the lottery, the townspeople vehemently argue against this decision, fearing it will bring ruin. These statements show their unwillingness to give up the lottery, even if they wanted to. Eventually, all families are called upon and the family with the black dot must participate in a second lottery to decide which member will be killed. Despite protests from the woman

who receives the black dot claiming it was a mistake or that the lottery is meaningless, she is executed because people fear a bad harvest more than they care about one doomed woman. In "The Red Badge of Courage," fear is a central theme embodied by Henry Fleming. Joining the army and facing battle for the first time, Henry is terrified of what's ahead. Seeking comfort from his friends, he finds that they all claim not to be afraid. This raises concerns for readers as Henry's fate remains uncertain - whether he will survive or suffer severe injury. However, despite his initial fear, Henry eventually gathers his courage and participates in intense battles during the Civil War.Witnessing his comrades being killed or wounded, Henry panics and flees to the woods. Surprisingly, his superiors congratulate him on his bravery upon his eventual return. As he walks back to camp after the battle, he finds a close friend lying wounded in the road who asks him not to let others run over him. He carries his friend to a field where he later dies and is deeply saddened by the loss. No longer fearing for himself, Henry is filled with anger at his own inability to stand by loyal friends who died in duty. The text explores the viewer's increasing fear for Henry's life as he heads into the next battle, noting that foolhardy soldiers have even less chance of survival. Henry's friends admit their terror in battle, congratulating him for bravery while acknowledging their own cowardice. This guilt compels Henry to believe it is his responsibility to win the upcoming battle. Though he performs bravely, it

is revealed that the previous battle was not authentic, leaving troops fearful of what real war may bring. The uncertainty remains a mystery to Henry and his battalion as they are too afraid to venture over the next hill. Fear for one's life is ever-present whether in war or everyday activities like buying a newspaper.

The reviewed film, adapted from Dr.Heidegger's Experiment, explores the fear of aging and losing one's looks. The opening scene introduces a group of elderly individuals who express dissatisfaction with their current state, highlighting their once youthful and healthy appearance. The film centers around an experiment involving an elixir capable of reversing the aging process. The doctor demonstrates its efficacy by reviving a deceased rose, leaving the old individuals amazed and eager to try it themselves. However, driven by their fear of growing older and facing mortality, they fail to consider the potential consequences. The viewers are concerned for these characters as they can predict how things will end for them – regaining their youth but fighting over a rejuvenated old woman. Unfortunately, this rejuvenation is short-lived as the elixir only lasts a few minutes. In their struggle, they accidentally spill the remaining elixir on themselves, reverting back to being old again – emphasizing their greatest fear.This closing scene highlights their greatest fear as they gather around the spilled elixir. Fear is a recurring theme in movies of this genre throughout cinematic history; it encompasses various aspects of life such as losing love or life itself, dealing with change, or even fearing loss of physical beauty.Film and poetry are both mediums that have successfully captured and evoked fear throughout history. For nearly

a century, film has been able to portray this emotion on screen. However, poetry has been exploring and invoking fear since the beginning of recorded time. In fact, the genre of poetry contains just as much fear through verse as a horror movie does visually.

One particular poem that exemplifies this fear is "Lenore" by Edgar Allen Poe. This poem tells the story of lost love and the speaker's struggle to carry on with their own life. The speaker reveals that their friends only approached them for their wealth, while their lost love was the sole reason for their existence. The fear of losing such a special loved one is clearly depicted through Poe's speaker in this poem.

Poe explores the deep fear felt by everyone - the fear of living without the person who gave life meaning. The speaker's world crumbles when they see death reflected in their loved one's eyes, rendering life meaningless. They desperately search for a suitable tribute to immortalize Lenore's memory but find nothing worthy enough on Earth.

Through "Lenore," Edgar Allen Poe showcases his mastery in expressing and evoking intense fear and macabre themes. Overall, both film and poetry have effectively captured and expressed fear as powerful artistic mediums. While film visually conveys fear, poetry achieves the same effect through its poignant verses.
Edgar Allen Poe's proficiency in evoking diverse forms of fear is evident in his poetry, such as "Lenore" and other works. In Poe's poem, "The Haunted Palace," the reader is confronted with the fear that arises from the unfamiliar. The narrative portrays a once magnificent palace situated in a prosperous land. Travelers passing through the valley used to witness joyous

spirits dancing within the windows at night, providing solace. However, one fateful day, malevolence began to assail both the castle and the valley, almost obliterating their existence. With the king's demise, the kingdom crumbled into ruins. The past happy times became distant memories for its elderly inhabitants. Presently, travelers are terrified to enter this valley due to evil spirits twirling inside what was once a grand palace now reduced to debris. The kingdom's dwellers are too afraid to approach its premises as it emanates an aura of wickedness right from its very foundation. Although laughter may still be heard within this realm, genuine smiles have vanished completely. This terror stems from uncertainty since they remain clueless about the horrors lurking inside the dilapidated palace and harbor no inclination whatsoever to explore further depths of dreadfulness.

Poe adeptly instills fear throughout his writings; similarly, another writer named Stephen King also delves into various aspects of fear within his poem titled "For Owen." Initially enigmatic, repeated readings gradually unveil its underlying trepidation – namely apprehension towards those who deviate from societal norms. As two young men journey towards their school one morning engaging in conversation about different educational institutions, one youth is clad in army fatigues while details regarding attire worn by his companion remain undisclosed.While mocking other kids, the one in fatigues makes fun of overweight children, revealing that the other child is fat. The poem then shifts to delve into the thoughts of the overweight child, contemplating the terrible things he could say to the child in fatigues. This highlights how badly he is treated and how fat kids struggle with simple tasks like tying their

shoes. He reflects on experiencing repeated humiliation.

This poem explores the fear of those who are different, particularly how young children fear the unknown. Their way of coping with such overwhelming fear is by belittling or ridiculing those who differ from them. Numerous poems effectively convey fear, even if they may initially appear unclear or challenging to understand. Reading between the lines reveals true emotions that poets aim to evoke. Sometimes simply reading about frightening things is enough to spook someone, and poetry serves as a prime example; however, it is within short stories that true embodiment of fear lies.

Some short stories aim to evoke fear through concise plots and specific details enclosed within limited pages. The short story genre is easiest to analyze due to its abundance of resources. One notable example under examination is "Here There Be Tygers" by Stephen King - a narrative about a young boy plagued by bathroom-related fearsCharles, the protagonist, attended Miss Bird's class, which he considered to have the most dreadful teacher in the entire school. During one particular class, Charles needed to use the restroom but hesitated due to his fear of Miss Bird and his preference for using the term "basement" instead of "bathroom." While it is common for young children to fear their teachers, having a dread of bathrooms is rather peculiar. Eventually, Miss Bird noticed Charles' discomfort and instructed him to leave the classroom and go to the bathroom.

Upon entering the restroom, Charles turned a corner only to encounter a large tiger patiently waiting for its prey. Confused by the tiger's presence and unaware of where it came from, Charles realizes that it poses

a threat and intends to devour him. As Charles flees in terror, readers contemplate whether the tiger exists solely in his vivid imagination as a result of his fear of bathrooms or if there is truly an escaped tiger from the local zoo secretly lurking within those walls.

After waiting for a few minutes, Kenny, another classmate approaches out of concern for Charles' well-being. He discovers Charles standing outside the bathroom terrified.

In this story, Kenny mocks Charles and tries to pull him into a room. However, Charles manages to escape while Kenny goes inside. There is a scream as the tiger eats Kenny, leaving Charles outside the bathroom feeling scared. Soon after, Miss Bird arrives to investigate and enters the bathroom, only to also be devoured by the tiger. Charles realizes that the tiger is now satisfied and proceeds to use the bathroom before returning to class.

This story also delves into the fear of growing up, as Charles is a young boy who is adjusting to acting mature and taking on responsibilities. The fact that Miss Bird made him say "bathroom" instead of "basement" may have influenced how Charles perceives things. Perhaps the tiger symbolizes his fears coming alive and consuming Miss Bird as proof that he can become whoever he wants to be.

The next story written by Stephen King explores a similar theme. "Gramma" tells of another young boy who finds himself alone for the first time with his elderly and dying grandmother.

George's fear of his grandmother originated when he, along with his mother and older brother, moved in to care for her. Despite the typical warm and affectionate nature of grandparents, George's grandmother was

old, mean, and feeble, which deeply frightened him. As George sat alone while his mother visited his brother at the hospital, memories of instances where his grandmother had particularly terrified him came rushing back. The evening progressed and as dusk approached, George became increasingly anxious. Being alone with his grandmother was a new experience for him, and he started recalling unsettling things he had overheard in conversations about her. Just as a powerful storm approached, George's grandmother suddenly died. Initially intending to remain calm and call for help, he realized that the phones were out of order. Fear tightened its grip on him even more. Unbeknownst to George, his grandmother had made a pact with the devil long ago and received books of spells that transformed her into a witch-like figure. Believing her to be deceased, George witnessed her rising up and coming after him. Calmly informing his mother about his grandmother's passing upon her return home gave way to an unexpected twist in the story: the narrator mentioned that she would be intrigued by George's newfound interest in herbal tea. Many readers experienced a sense of unease as they neared the conclusion of this tale.
A good story is one that evokes the same emotions in the reader as the protagonist. The next reviewed story expressed a primal fear. It was called "Survivor Type" by Stephen King, and it depicted a doctor stranded on a deserted island. The island was desolate, barely twenty yards across and devoid of anything but rocks for shade. The story unfolded through the doctor's journal entries as he faced the grim reality of having no water or food. His journal

revealed his primal fear of death and his sole drive to survive. Over time, he tried to catch a seagull for dinner but ended up breaking his ankle on the rocks. Now immobilized, he became greatly depressed and contemplated how he got into this situation. With his ankle festering, he came up with the idea to amputate it using his medical background. Consequently, he decided to consume his own foot as a means of survival. This extreme act exemplifies the overpowering fear of death that drove him to such extremes. Deprived of his foot, he continued amputating various other body parts until his journal became incomprehensible. As readers, we can only anticipate the worst outcome for this unfortunate doctor whose demise can be attributed to both an overwhelming fear of death and a stroke of misfortune. Perhaps if he had better control over his fear, he may have potentially survived.
Short stories have a significant impact on instilling fear in readers, often causing them to glance behind them to ensure that the fictional terror does not materialize. While inducing fright is easily achieved in short stories, plays present a greater challenge. Being live action performances, plays have existed for a long time, similar to poetry. Scaring the audience can be difficult when there are only a few actors performing directly in front of them. However, when a scare does occur, it leaves a lasting impression.

The first play being reviewed is "The Tempest" by William Shakespeare. This play narrates the story of individuals who become stranded on an expansive island after attending a wedding, unaware of whether the others survived. Prospero, the wizard who controls the entire

island and orchestrated the shipwreck to regain his rightful position as Duke, adds to their fear. As the play progresses, the characters fear for their own safety and for those who were on board the ship. Additional characters like Ariel and Caliban are introduced - with Caliban enslaved due to his fear of Prospero's power as a wizard since Prospero killed his mother and claimed Ariel as his own. Out of fear of King Alonso's wrath, Sebastian and Antonia plot his murder but are saved by Ariel's interventionSebastian and Antonia fabricate a detailed explanation for why they had drawn their swords, which convinces King Alonso. Later in the play, Trinculo and Stephano intoxicate Caliban, causing him to forget about Prospero's powers and decide to kill him. Being intoxicated impairs cognitive function and eliminates fear of dangerous situations. Eventually, everyone finds their way to Prospero's encampment and all conflicts are resolved. Prospero forgives Sebastian and Antonio and regains his rightful position. This narrative explores the fear of being alone in an unfamiliar place, such as being separated from one's group in a distant location. It also highlights the apprehension someone in power may experience, as seen through the relationship between Caliban and Prospero. If one fears someone with more authority, resistance is unlikely. The subsequent analyzed play is Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," which centers around the Salem witch trials and paranoia stemming from Puritanism. The play begins with Betty falling into an unconscious state, leading to suspicions of supernatural causes. When other girls visit her, she suddenly accuses almost everyone in town of practicing witchcraft along with them.
In Salem, a deep fear of witches emerged, causing

the arrest of nearly everyone in the community due to suspicions of being witches or warlocks. The stringent regulations imposed by the Puritan faith, along with feelings of monotony, compelled certain girls to partake in dancing within the forest, ultimately leading to their capture. To evade personal responsibility, they alleged that their actions were influenced by witches.

The witch purging began because of the fear of getting in trouble, with the fear of witchcraft intensifying it. Abigail, who loved John Proctor despite his marriage, played a significant role in escalating the witch hunt. Out of fear of losing him, she falsely accuses his wife of being a witch. Proctor attempts to save his wife from imprisonment but fails and ends up in prison himself. Act III takes place several months later, focusing on Proctor as he learns about the events that transpired during his absence. It is revealed that almost everyone in Salem was arrested due to the widespread fear of witches, except for a few individuals. Those who were arrested were coerced to confess, leading to their execution. Proctor is pressured to confess as well but refuses to sign it, ultimately facing execution. Although fear is somewhat exaggerated throughout the play, it is based on a real event and therefore not too far from the truth, which is a terrifying thought. While plays do contain elements of fear, they cannot match the fear evoked by reading a captivating novel.Stephen King specializes in writing terrifying novels that are guaranteed to scare the living daylights out of his readers.

Novels have the ability to express the emotions of procrastinators and those around them much better than short stories

can. The novels mentioned here center around the anxieties of mortality and the anxieties of fully experiencing life.

The first novel, entitled "1968" by Joe Haldeman, centers around the transformative journey of a young man in Vietnam. The narrative tracks Spider, a newly arrived soldier stationed in a remote area who initially lacks familiarity with combat. However, as his company receives news of intensified fighting, Spider's apprehension steadily grows. The army dispatches Spider and a small group on frequent search-and-destroy missions, where they are tasked with eliminating unidentified targets. A pivotal moment occurs when one team member sustains an injury, unveiling the true danger they face.

Following the notable Tet Offensive led by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) in 1968, the soldiers find themselves spending more time in the jungle than at their base. It is during one such mission that Spider's group endures a horrifying assault. In his desperate attempt to escape, Spider unintentionally strikes his head against a tree and loses consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness, he witnesses NVA troops executing their fallen comrades and realizes with horror that he is still alive and forever haunted by this traumatic event.

Just as it seemed that Spider's life was about to be taken by his captors, fate intervenes as his gun jams. His would-be executioner walks away from him, leaving Spider condemned to a lifetime of misery and constant fear. Following his rescue, Spider is diagnosed as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia—rendering him unable to control his overwhelming fear.Life became intolerable for Spider, but eventually, he learned to accept his situation and attempted to lead a normal life. When Spider finally returned home to his parents, his father wrongly

assumed he was homosexual based on the doctor's report, while his mother was terrified of him. Realizing he was unwanted, Spider moved out and tried finding work at a doughnut shop. Unfortunately, on his first day of training there, he suffered severe burns from boiling grease and had to be hospitalized. Paralyzed with fear for his own existence, Spider wondered if things could get any worse. Eventually recovering and being discharged from the hospital, Spider discovered that his parents had moved without leaving a forwarding address. Moreover, all his possessions in the apartment were given away without consent, leaving Spider feeling profoundly alone and fearful in the world. Determined to escape this bleak reality, Spider decided to take a bus to Florida but ended up getting assaulted and robbed of everything he owned along the way. From then onward, Spider lived as a homeless person with no direction or purpose in life. The novel takes an unexpected turn in its final chapter when it offers insight into the perspective of an NVA soldier on that fateful day in 1968. As their weapon malfunctions during combat with Spider's character known as "May you live in interesting times," symbolizing an existence filled with constant fear, despair, and hopelessness.The novel "1984" by George Orwell depicts a dystopian society where living freely according to personal desires is prohibited by lawWinston Smith, known for his procrastination, believes that his life lacks purpose and indeed it does. The Party, the governing force in Oceania, controls every aspect of life using two-way viewscreens installed in each individual's home. These screens enable constant surveillance. At the beginning of the novel, Winston begins a

highly illegal journal where he expresses negative opinions about the party. Just when things couldn't get worse, Winston meets Julia and they form a secret relationship due to the deadly consequences of discovery. Despite their growing bond, they live in perpetual fear of exposure, death, and loneliness in their world. Despite taking numerous precautions to remain hidden from prying eyes, Winston and Julia are eventually discovered by the Thought Police. They are apprehended and brought to an incredibly frightening place called the Ministry of Love.

Initially, nothing happens to Winston; however, he is later subjected to unimaginable torture. The Thought Police employ psychological tactics to exploit their victims' fears as a means of tormenting them.Winston endures months of imprisonment that becomes increasingly horrific because release is only possible if one genuinely loves The Party and Big Brother.As Winston struggles with accepting this truth, he is repeatedly tortured almost to the point of death before being allowed to recover only to suffer further torment again.

Room 101 was the final torture that struck terror in anyone who heard someone being sentenced to it, as it exploited their greatest fear. For Winston, this torment involved rats and caused him to crumble like a house of cards. It profoundly changed him for the worse. As the novel neared its end, Winston's fear disappeared because there was nothing more they could do to him. He was left to live out his remaining days until they decided to execute him by shooting him in the head. Living in a state where the fear of existence outweighs the fear of death is not worthwhile; it would be preferable to take one's own life

on their own terms. The assertion that fear is an emotion present across all genres, regardless of subject or storyline, is supported by the material and discussions presented here. This statement remains valid when examining diverse genres since authors, playwrights, poets, and filmmakers all demonstrate this through their writings and portrayals for audiences. Research reveals that mere words on paper or images on a screen can easily manipulate and instill fear.