MONSTER
NARRATIVE
B. Others
C. Perspective
Monster Collective
Research Question: How do monster narratives impact our lives and the way we understand the world?
I believe each of us carries childhood memories of monsters—those ghostly presences hiding under our beds or lurking in our closets, haunting our nights. Monsters, as ancient yet ever-evolving elements of narrative, have persistently figured in our lives. This sparks my curiosity: Why are humans both terrified of and fascinated by monsters? How do monster narratives impact our lives and the way we understand the world? In this research, I aim to explore how monster narratives can be powerful tools for challenging and reshaping our traditional views of the world and social understandings. Through in-depth interviews, extensive literature reviews, and specific case studies, I seek to uncover the deeper meanings behind monster narratives. Our exploration begins with defining what monsters are—not just the dictionary definition, but also their categorization, their existence in time and space, their relationships with humans, and how they are portrayed in contemporary media. Through case studies, we will delve into how monsters are created and why human societies need such narratives, revealing their significance and impact on our lives. Additionally, I will share my three design directions. These directions are not only practical applications of theoretical research but also aim to delve deeper into exploring and showcasing the potential and impact of monster narratives. This study is structured to follow a clear path: Introduction, background research, in-depth discussion, conclusion, and finally, design directions and proposals.
Part 1: How were the monster created?
In this chapter, we will explore the diverse methods through which monsters are manifested, both in real-life contexts and within cultural narratives. While there are numerous ways monsters can be crafted – from rumors and the concept of 'the other', to perspectives of viewing the world, tales told by mothers, or constructs of our own imagination – our focus will primarily be on three key aspects: the role of rumors, the process of 'othering', and the impact of varying worldviews. These particular elements play a pivotal role in shaping the imagery and stories of monsters, offering a lens to understand their symbolic significance in reflecting societal dynamics and human perceptions.
A. Rumor
A. Rumor
In many monster narratives, monsters often arise from the seeds of rumors. Their portrayal and their interactions with humans evolve as these rumors spread and societal epochs shift. Throughout this process, various societal elements, often inadvertently, contribute to the evolution of monster narratives. Factors like media sensationalism and public word-of-mouth play significant roles in reshaping both the narratives and images of these creatures. This progression reflects the dynamic nature of societal perception and interaction with the concept of monsters, molded by the ever-changing currents of rumor and public discourse. In this section, we will explore how the system of rumor-generated monsters operates and the elements influencing it, through the analysis of two case studies.
How the system of rumor-driven monster creation operates?
It involves extensive public engagement in a snowball effect of iterative creation. Additionally, the dissemination of rumors requires 'hubs' for spreading stories, amplified by media support that establishes a cyclical feedback loop, thereby extending the reach and influence of the rumors. Throughout this process, the imagery and narrative of the monster continually evolve, becoming more persuasive and believable, while also reflecting specific regional and temporal characteristics.
Who truly is the monster?
Humans have a tendency to label those who are different from themselves as 'monsters', using simplistic and often absurd criteria. This labeling process involves judgment tools that do little to discern truth, relying instead on perception and prejudice. Once such a divisive system is established, additional rules are often created to reinforce and deepen the societal image of these 'monsters,' seeking collective agreement. This leads us to question again: within this system of segregation and othering, who are the real monsters?
The second method of creating monsters involves the construction of 'the Other'. Humans often protect their identity by delineating boundaries to classify those who are different. This process is mirrored in monster narratives, where monsters frequently symbolize the Other due to their distinct appearance and life habits. Consequently, they are often marginalized, existing on the fringes of human society or in remote areas far from human interaction. This raises critical questions: What defines the boundaries between humans and monsters? Who sets these rules, and based on what criteria? In this chapter, we delve into these questions through the film "District 9" and real-life cases. We aim to unravel how this system of the Other is constructed and how it influences the portrayal and narrative of monsters.
B. Others
The third approach to creating monsters involves perspective. Viewing the same context from different vantage points can shape diverse narratives and monster representations. This shift in perspective enables us to reconsider the world and its issues or to confront our innermost fears and desires. By exploring various angles, we can uncover new insights into what we perceive as monstrous and why, offering a deeper understanding of the history and the environments.In this chapter, I will compare the story of Grendel as narrated from a human perspective in Old English poetry with its depiction from Grendel's viewpoint in the Australian animated film 'Grendel Grendel Grendel.' This comparative analysis will explore how different perspectives influence the storytelling and characterization of monsters.
What if, instead of seeing through human eyes, we viewed the world from a monster's perspective?
Often perceived as fearsome and brutal from our standpoint, monsters might present a wholly different narrative when seen from their vantage point. Imagine monsters with their families, dependent on maternal care, exploring their inner selves, and having unique habits and social ties. This paradigm shift from a human-centric to a monster-centric viewpoint could reveal unseen systems, patterns, and stories in the world around us.
C. Perspective
In this chapter, we will explore the fundamental question: Why do humans need monster narratives ?Continuing with the three main themes of monster creation from the previous chapter - rumors, othering, and perspective - we aim to delve deeper into the human motivations behind these themes. Our objective is to uncover how monster narratives impact individuals and societal constructs, and their significance in our culture and daily life. This exploration seeks to understand the deeper meanings of monster narratives and their role in human existence.
Monster narratives, often springing from the roots of rumors, serve multifarious purposes in society. They are employed as instruments in political battles, often being wielded to manipulate public perception or to mask inconvenient truths. Moreover, these narratives can be strategic tools for economic gain, particularly in boosting tourism by attracting curiosity and interest to specific locations. This multifunctional aspect of monster narratives showcases their utility not just as stories, but as powerful tools to achieve various objectives and influence social dynamics.
The existence of monsters as 'the other' is a self-preservation mechanism created by humans to cope with the discomfort of encountering something 'different' from themselves. Humans need to identify and identify with their own identity. To cope with the fear of 'difference,' humans continuously select monsters, divide and adjust the boundaries between humans and monsters to distinguish mainstream and others, and in this way, integrate themselves into the mainstream. Monster narratives not only reflect our fears and prejudices but also prompt us to critically reflect on the nature of identity and the true 'monsters' within this system.
Human beings often rely on monster narratives to alleviate their fears, especially those stemming from the unknown. These narratives serve as a tool for stepping outside of a human-centric perspective, enabling a reexamination of human society and the world from alternative viewpoints.For instance, in the story of godzilla, where the creature rampages through human cities, the relationship between godzilla and humans mirrors that of humans to ants. It provides a unique lens to view our own societal structures and interactions, highlighting the relative nature of power and vulnerability.
This book presents a collection of monsters as envisioned by various individuals, accompanied by insights from two key interview questions: "What is a monster?" and "What is your relationship with monsters?" These pages offer a glimpse into the diverse perceptions and personal connections people have with the concept of monsters.