Project 1

Fuss 1 Sarah Fuss Ms. Rea ENC 2135 19 January 2016 The Power of Genre

Before entering this semester, I had no clue that the use of genre was applied so extensively in my everyday life. I understood the prevalent notion that a genre consisted of categories for subjects such as music and films, but I never really thought it went beyond that. Now I know that genres can be used based on what you want to say, and whom you want to say it to by categorization of the subject matter. After learning of this wide variety of content, I decided that I most frequently use the categories of genre for my personal entertainment through horror films and fantasy literature.

Strangely enough, the genre I enjoy watching most for entertainment would have to be horror. I know that this might seem incongruous for your average, wimpy, eighteenyear old girl. However, I cannot help but marvel at the ingenious substance of which the horror genre bestows. I imagine it is actually quite difficult to refrain from feeling blissfully overwhelmed by horror’s vast amount of subgenres. These include examples like psychological, slasher, ghost, zombie, paranormal, and so many more. With such an immense selection, there is always a guarantee of something new and peculiar in the horror industry. Not to mention, there is almost always the promise of an astonishing plot twist ending, and of course a lasting impact that these films imbed on millions of people.

Have you ever been afraid to take a swim in the ocean? More than likely, this is the

2 aftermath of viewing Steven Spielberg’s, Jaws. Maybe you’ve even fought the urge to sleep in fear of Wes Craven’s character, Freddy Krueger, getting you in your dreams.

This may sound strange, but I truly believe that horror movies help us face our fears in real life. As tragedy occurs around the world every day, the horror genre gives us an outlet to justify our panic by projecting it on to a fictional story, with cardboard towns, fictitious characters, and made up scenarios. As Stephen King said himself, “We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones” (Leigh).

Yes, I know that some films in this genre can seem a bit cliché, using the same standard horror movie conventions such as darkness, isolation, and hauntings. However, every once in a while, you get the absolute thrill of coming across a stunning and unpredictable horror story that will leave you speechless at the conclusion. My personal favorite film that includes this ‘wow’ factor would have to be The Uninvited, but I will most certainly not include the spoiler in this essay. I can, however, share the life changing effect it had on me.

I remember staring wide-eyed and open mouthed at the television screen after finishing my first, and favorite, horror film. The Uninvited had me poking one eyeball out of my moms Ohio State themed crocheted blanket. It was so terrifying yet so capturing that I couldn’t tear that single eyeball away from the screen, even during the most gruesome scenes. As the ending credits rollup up at the conclusion of the movie, I didn’t know whether I should laugh or cry. The storyline I had been following the whole movie was completely turned upside down. The last two and a half hours of my life had felt like an absolute lie, but I loved it. The mistrust may have been triggered by the close connection I had identified with the main character, just to find out that she was the exact

Fuss 3 opposite person then the girl I believed in. I was left to question everything I had just seen, or at least what I thought I saw. It’s really difficult to describe the brilliant and wacky sensation you receive after watching a horror movie. Personally, that moment where the overwhelming sense of shock and uncertainty enters into my thoughts makes the horror genre completely worth the attention I give it, and the attention it deserves.

Like everything else, not every attempt will be a masterpiece, but I do think horror is the most exciting genre to watch on a regular basis.

Fantasy literature has completely shaped the person I am today, by teaching me countless lessons and acting as a friend when I felt alone. As a child, I would crawl in to bed with my mother every night, eager to dive into whatever city, or even galaxy that we were reading about during that point in time. This was my favorite part of the day, right before bed, where I could open up my imagination and listen to my best friend’s character impressions. My all time favorite series in fantasy literature was definitely Harry Potter.

It wasn’t just a book series to me, it was everything and more. The conventions of Harry Potter, consisting of a magical world with supernatural creatures, made me feel that the world was capable of mystery and excitement. I grew up with Harry, so I felt that as his story developed, mine did too. In the coming years of his life, he got stronger, braver, and more compassionate. I felt that it was my duty to better myself just as he did through out the series. Harry taught me to face my fears, to realize that although we can’t change our past, we can change our future, and most of all, the power of love will always prevail over the power of hatred (Mormann).

As my elementary teachers pointed out, reading these books greatly expanded my vocabulary. However, that perk seems almost miniscule compared to the life lessons I got

4 to learn from the amazing characters in the book. I also had the marvelous convenience of sinking into the magical world created by J.K. Rowling whenever I pleased. I studied with Hermione, looked for Scabbers with Ron, and helped Harry defeat “He who shall not be named,” all by the age of eleven.

Like most preteens, I got older and began reading by myself. Still, letting the beautiful words of my favorite fantasy fiction books sweep me into a whole new universe. I’d immerse myself so deeply into a book that I would forget time and space completely. There was no better feeling than being the main character’s most trusted companion. I use the genre of fantasy literature to this day as an outlet for my fears, stressors, and sometimes, sense of loneliness.

Moving up to Tallahassee this last fall for school required me to take a huge leap in my life. A leap that I am not entirely sure I was ready for. As most seniors in high school do, I told myself that I had been waiting for this moment my whole entire life. I was convinced entirely that I would not be truly happy or capable of finding myself until I moved far away from home and started my life as a college student. That is of course, until it I had to move and adapt to this new, weird lifestyle. It didn’t take me very long to realize that I wasn’t of the partying kind, and that also my parents were actually my own personal guardian angels that I had taken for granted my whole life. After the first couple miserable weeks of school, I got a call from my mother. She asked me all of the typical questions, “How are you? Have you made any friends? Are you coming home to visit soon?” but it wasn’t until she asked, “Have you read any good books lately?” that I remembered my most favorite pastime. Although the workload I have to carry between school and my job can be a little hectic, my mom reminded me that I will always have an

Fuss 5 outlet through fantasy literature. This is something that I can count on up here when I’m feeling stressed, or even homesick. I was also reminded that Harry Potter also started a new school in a new place at the beginning of the series, which gave me the hope and courage to be brave and open up to those around me. Fantasy literature along with Harry had pulled through for my once again, and I finally started making new friends and accepting that change is not all bad. Now, instead of being frightened by the unfamiliar turf, I feel the familiar pang of hope that Harry had once taught me.

The role that horror and fantasy literature plays in my heart and soul is really remarkably life changing. I use these genres as an outlet when I’m feeling upset, allowing me to focus on the paradoxical magic that is in my view. Whether it is the thrilling feeling in the pit of my stomach after watching a screwball horror film, or Harry Potter’s guidance from my adolescence to now, I am constantly reminded by these genres that life is exciting, hopeful, and a little scary at times, but at the end of the day, I’m capable of conquering it all.

6 Work Cited Mormann, Nicole. "20 Life Lessons I Learned from Harry Potter." Lifehack RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2016.

Leigh, Stephen. "10 Reasons Why Horror Might Be The Best Film Genre."

WhatCulturecom 10 Reasons Why Horror Might Be The Best Film Genre Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.