Question

fright on the silver screen: a brief history of classic horror movies
(1) horror films have been haunting the big screen and terrifying audiences for well over 100 years. in fact, history, horror films have fully participated in the evolution of cinema, with contributions ranging from novel special - effects to distinctive new aesthetics.
ghostly entertainment
(2) the very first horror films were called \spook tales.\ (the term horror films was not used as a description for the genre until the 1930s.) the first known film of this genre was le manoir du diable, created by french filmmaker georges méliès in 1896, just a year after the very first motion picture. mélièss primitive silent film was known for its use of the special effect called stop - action, used to produce the illusion of objects suddenly appearing, disappearing, or being transformed into other objects - as if supernatural powers were at work. the film featured various macabre creatures such as ghosts, bats, devils, and witches. mélièss choice of subject may have just been an excuse for his technical experiments. at the same time, the reemergence of old superstitions in horror films may have been a way of signaling a kind of cultural uneasiness with modern life. the nineteenth century celebrated triumphs of reason and technology. in horror films, though, old superstitions come back to life - like a zombie or a vampire - making us wonder if our
ational\ world is haunted by the past it has disowned.

1. read the article fright on the silver screen. based on the article, write a response to the following:

explain how horror films serve as a reflection of societal anxieties.
write a well - organized informational essay that uses specific evidence from the article to support your answer.
remember to-

• clearly state your thesis
• organize your writing
• develop your ideas in detail
• use evidence from the selection in your response
• use correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar

manage your time carefully so that you can-

• review the selection
• plan your response
• write your response

Explanation:

Horror films often reflect societal anxieties. For example, early horror films with supernatural elements like ghosts and witches during the rise of reason and technology may have signaled a cultural uneasiness about the conflict between old superstitions and new - found rationality. By analyzing specific elements in the horror films mentioned in the article, such as the use of special effects and choice of macabre creatures, we can understand the fears and concerns of the society at the time of their creation.

Answer:

Horror films serve as a reflection of societal anxieties by embodying the fears and cultural uneasiness of the time. For instance, in the early days of horror films like Le Manoir du Diable by Georges Méliès, the use of supernatural creatures such as ghosts, bats, devils, and witches may have been a manifestation of the unease felt during a period of the triumph of reason and technology. The re - emergence of old superstitions in these films suggests that society was grappling with the conflict between the new rational world and the lingering beliefs of the past. Special effects like stop - action, which created the illusion of supernatural powers at work, further emphasized these anxieties. By examining such elements in horror films, we can gain insights into the societal concerns of the eras in which they were made.