The monstrous-feminine

Definition

The monstrous-feminine refers to a concept in feminist film theory that highlights the ways in which horror films depict women as monstrous figures, representing societal fears and anxieties about femininity, sexuality, and power. This idea suggests that women are often portrayed in horror as threats to the social order, embodying fears of female sexuality and independence, and blurring the lines between victim and monster.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The monstrous-feminine challenges traditional gender roles by presenting women as both victims and perpetrators within horror narratives.
2. Common representations include the witch, the mother figure gone wrong, or the sexually liberated woman who becomes a danger to society.
3. This concept can be traced back to works by feminist theorists like Barbara Creed, who analyzed how horror films reflect cultural anxieties about female sexuality.
4. Films like 'Carrie' and 'Alien' illustrate how female characters can be both powerful and monstrous, showcasing their complexity and societal implications.
5. The monstrous-feminine often serves as a means for audiences to confront their fears surrounding female empowerment and sexuality in a patriarchal society.

Review Questions

• How does the monstrous-feminine concept alter the traditional view of women in horror films?
  • The monstrous-feminine alters the traditional view by positioning women not just as passive victims but also as active threats. This dual role challenges the stereotypes that typically confine female characters to victimhood and allows for a deeper exploration of their complexities. By portraying women as monstrous figures, horror films reflect societal fears about female empowerment and sexuality, revealing underlying anxieties about women's place in society.
• Analyze how specific films use the monstrous-feminine to critique societal views on femininity.
  • Films like 'Carrie' and 'The Babadook' utilize the monstrous-feminine to critique societal expectations placed on women. In 'Carrie,' the protagonist's telekinetic powers symbolize her repressed rage against her oppressive environment. The film portrays her transformation into a monstrous figure as a response to extreme bullying and control, ultimately challenging perceptions of feminine fragility. Similarly, 'The Babadook' explores motherhood's darker aspects through its depiction of grief and rage, turning the maternal figure into something frightening yet deeply relatable.
• Evaluate the implications of the monstrous-feminine on contemporary horror narratives and feminist discourse.
  • The implications of the monstrous-feminine on contemporary horror narratives are significant, as it encourages filmmakers to explore themes of female autonomy, rage, and rebellion against patriarchal structures. This perspective enriches feminist discourse by illustrating how horror can serve as a platform for discussing women's experiences and societal fears. As more filmmakers incorporate these ideas into their work, audiences are prompted to confront their own beliefs about femininity and power dynamics, fostering a more nuanced understanding of women's roles both in cinema and society at large.

Related terms

Feminist Film Theory: A theoretical framework that examines how films portray gender dynamics, often critiquing the representation of women in film and analyzing the impact of patriarchy on storytelling.

Body Horror: A subgenre of horror that focuses on the grotesque transformation or mutilation of the human body, often used to explore themes of identity, sexuality, and fear.

Hysteria: A historical term used to describe a range of psychological symptoms attributed to women, often linked to societal views on femininity and sexuality, which has influenced representations of women in horror.