Aarti Deegwal
Horror is an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust. It is an emotion that is often associated with the supernatural, violence, and the unknown. In literature and film, horror is a distinct genre that relies on evoking feelings of terror or revulsion in its audience. However, the exact nature of horror as an emotion has been a subject of debate. While traditional emotion taxonomies categorised horror as a subtype of fear or disgust, recent studies have indicated that it is a separate emotion. This is because horror is a response to the severity or abnormality of harm, while fear is related to the self-relevance of harm, and disgust to the causal agent.
What You'll Learn
Horror is a distinct emotion category
Witnessing or experiencing extreme and incomprehensible harm elicits an intense emotional response that is often called "horror". Traditional emotion taxonomies have long categorized horror as a subtype of fear and/or disgust. But, it is now understood that horror is distinct from these emotions. Horror is a response to the severity or abnormality of harm, fear relates to the self-relevance of harm, and disgust is connected to the causal agent of the harm.
In a survey of personal experiences of emotions, participants reported feeling horror in response to the actual occurrence of extreme or abnormal harm. In contrast, feelings of fear and moral disgust were reported when there was no harm or only mild harm. Horror, therefore, is associated with the revelation of something hideous or an awful realization.
Horror can be felt in response to a variety of situations, including frightening stories, horror movies, or real-life events that evoke feelings of terror or revulsion. It is often associated with the supernatural, violence, and the unknown. In literature and film, horror is a genre that relies on these elements to tell stories and prompt reactions from audiences.
Horror can be a powerful tool for writers to engage readers and create unforgettable experiences. By showing the physical reactions and thoughts of characters experiencing horror, writers can immerse their audience in the story.
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Horror is a combination of terror and revulsion
Horror is an emotion that is often associated with fear, shock, and disgust. It is a response to extreme or abnormal harm, and it is typically felt in anticipation of something frightening or following a frightening experience.
The distinction between horror and terror is a well-known concept in literature and psychology, particularly in Gothic and horror fiction. Horror is the feeling of revulsion that follows a frightening sight, sound, or experience. It is described as a combination of terror and repulsion or revulsion. Terror, on the other hand, is the feeling of dread and anticipation that precedes the horrifying experience.
In her essay "On the Supernatural in Poetry," Gothic writer Ann Radcliffe characterized the difference between horror and terror as the difference between "obscurity" and unambiguous displays of atrocity. She suggested that terror is characterized by indeterminacy, which leads to the sublime and expands the soul, while horror freezes and nearly annihilates it with its explicit displays of horror.
Noël Carroll offered a slightly different perspective, defining terror as a combination of horror and revulsion. This view aligns with Stephen King's addition of revulsion as a third element to the twin themes of terror and horror. King described terror as the suspenseful moment before the monster is revealed, and horror as the moment of revelation, providing shock value.
Recent empirical work has indicated that horror is a distinct emotion category, separate from fear and disgust. It is elicited by different aspects of harm, such as the severity or abnormality of the harm, rather than the self-relevance of the harm, which characterizes fear.
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Horror is associated with the supernatural, violence, and the unknown
Horror is a complex emotion that has been a subject of interest for centuries. It is often associated with the supernatural, violence, and the unknown, and has been explored through various art forms, including literature and cinema.
Horror and the Supernatural
The supernatural is a key element of horror, often blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy. This theme is prevalent in horror fiction, where ghosts, spirits, and other supernatural entities are used to create suspense and frighten readers or viewers. The supernatural also serves as a vessel for exploring societal fears and anxieties, such as religion, death, and the unknown.
Horror and Violence
Violence is a common element in horror, often depicted through graphic imagery and gory details. This can include descriptions or depictions of murder, torture, and other gruesome acts, aiming to shock and disturb the audience. In literature, horror writers such as H. P. Lovecraft and M. R. James are known for their contributions to the genre, while in cinema, slasher films and splatter films are notable examples of violent horror.
Horror and the Unknown
The unknown is a fundamental aspect of horror, tapping into our deepest fears and uncertainties. This can be seen in the exploration of psychological horror, where the unknown and unexplained events create a sense of dread and anticipation. The work of literary historian J. A. Cuddon and the essay "Elements of Aversion" by Elizabeth Barrette highlight the allure of horror, suggesting that it provides a controlled way to experience fear and confront ideas and images that may be disturbing or uncomfortable.
Horror as an Emotion
Horror is recognised as a distinct emotion by recent empirical research. It is described as a response to extreme or abnormal harm and is often accompanied by cognitive disruption, such as disbelief. Horror can be differentiated from fear and disgust, which are elicited by different aspects of harm. While fear is related to the self-relevance of harm, disgust is associated with the causal agent of harm.
In conclusion, horror is a multifaceted emotion that draws its power from its association with the supernatural, violence, and the unknown. It evokes a range of responses, from fear and revulsion to fascination and excitement. Through its exploration in literature and cinema, horror continues to captivate and challenge audiences, offering a unique perspective on the human condition.
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Horror is a genre of film and fiction
Horror is an emotion of fear, shock, or disgust, often associated with the supernatural, violence, and the unknown. It is typically felt in response to frightening stories, horror movies, or real-life events that evoke feelings of terror or revulsion. However, horror is also a genre of film and fiction that relies on these emotional responses from its audience.
The horror genre of film and fiction is designed to scare its audience, using horrifying images, situations, or revelations to prompt reactions. This genre often involves a build-up of suspense and the use of scary music to heighten tension. The moment of revelation is crucial in horror films and stories, as it provides a shock value that intensifies the feeling of horror. This moment can involve the appearance of a monster, aberration, or supernatural entity, which was previously only implied or partially shown.
Gothic writer Ann Radcliffe, who lived from 1764 to 1823, first characterised the distinction between horror and terror. She described horror as being related to shock and fear in response to an awful realisation or deeply unpleasant occurrence. In contrast, terror involves anxiety and anticipation preceding the horrifying experience. Radcliffe's essay "On the Supernatural in Poetry", published posthumously in 1826, elaborates on this distinction, stating that terror "expands the soul and awakens the faculties to a high degree of life", while horror "freezes and nearly annihilates them" with its explicit displays of atrocity.
In his book "Danse Macabre", Stephen King added a third element to the discussion of horror and terror, introducing the concept of "revulsion". He describes terror as the suspenseful moment before the monster is revealed, and horror as the moment of revelation. Revulsion, according to King, is a bottom-level gimmick that elicits a gag reflex. Despite considering terror as the finest of the three emotions, King admits that he sometimes resorts to revulsion in his writing if necessary.
The horror genre in film and fiction often explores the outbreak of madness or terrible events within everyday settings. It can provide a sense of pleasure and relief for viewers or readers, as it allows them to experience horror in a safe and controlled manner. Additionally, it can help individuals re-experience and potentially overcome psychological trauma by playing with feelings of infantile helplessness in a fictional context.
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Horror can be a response to real-life trauma
Horror is an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust. It is often associated with the supernatural, violence, and the unknown. Horror can be experienced in response to a range of situations, from frightening stories and movies to real-life events that evoke feelings of terror or revulsion.
Witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event can certainly elicit feelings of horror. This could include violent crimes, natural disasters, or other deeply unpleasant occurrences. For example, a person who has escaped a captor after being tortured in a basement might feel horrified upon running out into the sun and experiencing the warmth and brightness after being in the dark for so long. This could be compounded by seeing others around them who seem happy and carefree, leading to feelings of dissociation and confusion.
Gothic writer Ann Radcliffe, who first characterized the distinction between horror and terror, described horror as being "frozen" and "annihilated" by unambiguous displays of atrocity. This sense of being overwhelmed and unable to process what is happening can certainly be a response to real-life trauma.
In addition, horror can be a response to the severity or abnormality of harm. For instance, a person might feel horrified upon witnessing extreme or abnormal harm being inflicted on another person, even if they themselves are not in immediate danger. This could include witnessing a violent crime or seeing the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Furthermore, the paradox of pleasure experienced through horror films or books can be explained as a safe way to return to the feelings of infantile helplessness, which may be a way of processing and overcoming trauma. By playing at re-experiencing the trauma, individuals may find a sense of relief and empowerment.
In conclusion, horror is a complex emotion that can be a response to real-life trauma. It is characterized by feelings of dread, anticipation, revulsion, and shock. Witnessing or experiencing traumatic events can elicit feelings of horror, and this emotion can also be a way of processing and overcoming trauma.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, horror is an emotion. It is an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust, often associated with the supernatural, violence, and the unknown.
Horror is typically felt in response to the actual occurrence of extreme or abnormal harm, while fear is felt in response to potential threats or events involving no harm or only mild harm. Horror can also be seen as a combination of terror and revulsion.
To evoke horror in your writing, it is important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "telling" it. Use sensory details, dark and eerie settings, and weather elements to create an atmosphere of dread and fear that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
