Notes on The Ideological Monster: Horror's Social Purpose

  • Get Out and the Subversion of Horror Tropes

    • The film subverts traditional horror narratives meant to comfort white audiences.
    • It challenges racist ideologies that have shaped audience expectations.

  • Racism as the Ideological Monster

    • Peele employs historical imagery rooted in slavery to establish racism as a central monster in Get Out.
    • The Armitage family's home is decorated with imagery associated with slavery, like stuffed deer heads symbolizing black male stereotypes (the "buck").
    • The killing of Dean Armitage with the impalement by a buck symbolizes the liberation of Chris from the oppressive racist ideologies.
    • Chris's use of cotton stuffing for protection against hypnosis references historical oppression and its lingering effects.

  • Monsters as Systemic Racism

    • According to Carroll, monsters typically defy norms, but for Get Out, systemic racism serves as the true monster.
    • Everyday racism exhibited by the Armitages is not out of the ordinary but horrifying.
    • The film illustrates how systemic oppression can be visualized as a monstrous entity that has caused immense suffering.

  • Horror as a Reflection of Social Issues

    • Films like Get Out, The Babadook, and Midsommar illustrate how horror can abstractly represent societal injustices and traumas.
    • Horror transforms true-life traumas into monsters, creating an avenue for public discourse on issues like racism.

  • The Role of Narrative Fiction in Countering Injustice

    • Zoë Cunliffe links narrative fiction with combating epistemic injustices, enhancing self- and other-awareness in viewers.
    • Films stimulate audience reflection on prejudiced identities and align them with real-world injustices.

  • Self and Other Awareness

    • Get Out incites viewers, particularly white audiences, to recognize their actions within systemic racism.
    • The final scene emphasizes the risk a black man (Chris) faces from law enforcement, prompting reflection on racism and police brutality.

  • Community Reflection through Horror

    • The party scene in the film prompts white viewers to introspect about their behaviors regarding race and their implications in perpetuating stereotypes.
    • Many viewers report a personal horror upon realizing their complicity in systemic racism.

  • Constructive Change and Awareness

    • The horror genre effectively raises awareness about oppression without direct confrontation, making it more palatable for wider audiences.
    • This approach makes it less likely for audiences to feel attacked, encouraging reflection rather than resistance.

  • Advantages of Fiction in Engaging Epistemic Justice

    • Horror as a genre is less serious and often allows audiences to engage with difficult topics without hostility.
    • Fictional narratives can address complex societal issues in ways that invite a more reflective stance, promoting social change.