The concept of the victim in horror studies has not received much direct attention, but this volume seeks to make it explicit and examine their position in more detail, demonstrating the pervasiveness of their presence and the variety of their guises.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2024
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

The concept of the victim in horror studies has received limited attention despite its essential role within the genre. The threat of horror necessitates the presence of a victim, who serves as a blank slate for audiences to project their desires and fears onto. This volume aims to shed light on the concept of the victim in horror media and explore their position in greater detail, challenging the notion that their presence is straightforward. The chapters within this volume cover various topics and approaches, drawing from literature, film, TV, and games (both analogue and digital) to demonstrate the pervasiveness of horror's victims and the diverse forms they take.

The Concept of the Victim in Horror Studies

Despite its necessary centrality within the genre, the concept of the victim has not received much direct attention within the field of horror studies. Arguably, their presence is so ubiquitous as to become invisible—the threat of horror implies the need for a victim, whose function never alters, often becoming a blank slate for audiences to project their desires and fears onto. This volume seeks to make explicit the concept of the victim within horror media and to examine their position in more detail, demonstrating that the necessity of their appearance within the genre does not equate to a simplicity of definition.

The Pervasiveness of Horror's Victims

The chapters within this volume cover a number of topics and approaches, examining sources from literature, film, TV, and games (both analogue and digital) to show the pervasiveness of horror's victims, as well as the variety of their guises. For example, one chapter explores the representation of women as victims in horror media, highlighting the ways in which they are often portrayed as weak, helpless, and in need of protection. Another chapter examines the role of the victim in horror games, exploring how they are designed to create a sense of tension and fear and how players interact with them.

The Variety of Horror's Victims

The victims in horror media can take many different forms, reflecting the diverse range of fears and desires that the genre seeks to explore. For example, some victims are portrayed as monsters, while others are portrayed as ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Some victims are portrayed as victims of supernatural forces, while others are portrayed as victims of human evil. Some victims are portrayed as victims of their own actions, while others are portrayed as victims of fate or circumstance.

The Impact of Horror's Victims on Audiences

The victims in horror media can have a significant impact on audiences. For example, they can evoke feelings of fear, anxiety, and disgust, which can be cathartic for some viewers. They can also challenge viewers' assumptions about the world and their place in it, prompting them to question their own beliefs and values. However, the victims in horror media can also be criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and promoting violence.

The Role of the Victim in Horror Media

The victim in horror media serves several important functions. First, they provide a source of tension and fear for the audience. Second, they provide a means for the audience to identify with the protagonist and to experience the story on a personal level. Third, they provide a means for the audience to explore their own fears and desires. Fourth, they provide a means for the audience to confront their own mortality and the fragility of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the concept of the victim in horror studies has received limited attention despite its essential role within the genre. This volume seeks to make explicit the concept of the victim within horror media and to examine their position in more detail, demonstrating that the necessity of their appearance within the genre does not equate to a simplicity of definition. The chapters within this volume cover a number of topics and approaches, examining sources from literature, film, TV, and games (both analogue and digital) to show the pervasiveness of horror's victims and the variety of their guises. While the victims in horror media can have a significant impact on audiences, they can also be criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and promoting violence. It is important for horror media to be responsible and ethical in its portrayal of victims, and to provide a means for audiences to engage with the genre in a meaningful and positive way.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789463729963