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Elements of Presence- Horror

For 10.3

Release

The promise of a resolution offers a refuge from the poorly represented stress of everyday life. In horror, we may see the world returned to 'normal' or bent beyond recognition, removed from all hope of salvation. The uncertainty keeps us reading eagerly to find out what happens, because we have no way of knowing how the story ends until we get there. Either redemption (being saved) or disaster offers us a sense of completion not often found outside of fiction; it allows us to heave a sigh and let the story go.

Intensity

Pressure

Rhythm

With danger comes a heightened awareness, enhancing all emotions both positive and negative, drawing attention to every detail. The senses pick up more than usual; the world becomes more immediate, more real. Also, the threat of death often drives people to celebrate life, so we see romance running hand in hand with horror. For example, people fall in love as their worlds fall apart or monsters chase them down dark alleys. The intensity of emotion and sensation drowns out common sense. These horrors can appeal to those used to living a calmer existence.

Urgency

Rise and fall of tension. Rhythm is essential to horror in that it allows the intensity to build to a higher peak. It sets up a pattern of action which draws the reader in. Alternatively, some horror stories succeed through a profound lack of pattern, again playing on our innate desire for the world to make sense.

This has to do with suspense. With the slow build of tension comes the increasing need to do something. Pressure combines with urgency to spur characters to greater feats, while heightening audience involvement. You lean forward, urging the protagonist on. It may seem strange to enjoy fiction like this when we face so much pressure in our own lives today, but unlike real life, fiction promises a resolution (however not always a happy one). The pressure builds, peaks and then dissipates.

This is the central conflict of most horror. The price of failure is always astronomical (for example the death of a loved one or the destruction of the world). The characters cannot simply walk away; they draw us into their urgency as well. Thus, the very stress of the protagonist's struggle appeals to us.

Helplessness

Presence...

Nothing feels worse than the inability to affect your fate. In most fiction, characters must have agency (the ability to act, react and change) in order to hold a reader's attention. In horror, much of the attraction comes from a complete lack of agency, of power. As we all feel helpless sometimes, this motif strikes a chord with everyone (we can relate). We also love the rush of satisfaction we get when the protagonist somehow overcomes the odds.

These motifs intrude on our comfort. They crowd out our confidence, our feelings of self-reliance and dignity. These horrors rush in, smothering us with their weight, bothering us just by existing.

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