A light in the darkness : horror as catharsis

Show simple item record

dc.contributor.advisor MacKinnon, John E.
dc.contributor.advisor MacKinnon, John E.
dc.creator Baker, Alexander Scott
dc.date.accessioned 2022-07-19T15:22:36Z
dc.date.available 2022-07-19T15:22:36Z
dc.date.issued 2022-07-11
dc.identifier.uri http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/30996
dc.description 1 online resource (153, 3 unnumbered pages) : illustrations
dc.description Includes abstract.
dc.description Includes bibliographical references (pages 133-153).
dc.description.abstract Horror – despite the disapproval pervading its commonplace use, there is a clear asymmetry between humanity’s general aversion to, and negative characterization of, horror in its “natural” sense, and our attraction to horror aesthetically represented.<br> In recent years, “horror” has evolved into a universally acknowledged cross-art, cross-media genre, distinguished by its concentrating predominantly on the emotion of fear, generally at the expense of other elements, feelings, or themes. Explaining our paradoxical fascination with horror as an aesthetic phenomenon is the primary purpose of this thesis.<br> Alexander “Al” Scott Baker contends that frightening representations please, both by transmuting a generally unpleasant sensation into something positive, and, perhaps more significantly, by encouraging reflection on matters of life and death. Existential reflection frequently quells apprehensions latent within us that, left unchecked, can cause significant psychological pain. This suggests that horror constitutes a particularly valuable, profound mode of entertainment. en_CA
dc.description.provenance Submitted by Greg Hilliard (greg.hilliard@smu.ca) on 2022-07-19T15:22:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Baker_Alexander_MASTERS_2022.pdf: 1381807 bytes, checksum: cf830f569c25267a9742159f4332983a (MD5) en
dc.description.provenance Made available in DSpace on 2022-07-19T15:22:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Baker_Alexander_MASTERS_2022.pdf: 1381807 bytes, checksum: cf830f569c25267a9742159f4332983a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2022-07-11 en
dc.language.iso en en_CA
dc.publisher Halifax, N.S. : Saint Mary's University
dc.subject.lcsh Horror -- Philosophy
dc.subject.lcsh Horror tales -- Appreciation
dc.subject.lcsh Catharsis
dc.subject.lcsh Fear
dc.subject.lcsh Horror films -- Analysis, appreciation
dc.title A light in the darkness : horror as catharsis en_CA
dc.type Text en_CA
thesis.degree.name Master of Arts in Philosophy
thesis.degree.level Masters
thesis.degree.discipline Philosophy
thesis.degree.grantor Saint Mary's University (Halifax, N.S.)
 Find Full text

Files in this item

 
 

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record

Search DSpace


Browse

My Account