The Use of Genre Theory in The Horror Genre

Genre theory, the attributes, and conventions of the horror genre

Introduction

According to Neale the film and the genre it belongs to is determined by two primary features: the genres conformity to its attributes and conventions (Stephen, 2000).And that a film should match the genres attributes to be categorized as part of that genre. Genre theory is mainly used in the study of films and contributes to films categorization; the Genres are reliant on numerous features like the director of the film, the audience and their expectation, and the narrative line.

Classification of a genre nature is still being argued by some scholars; Chandler is of the opinion that some films have a tendency to be categorized by their setting, for example, the western, their subject issue and others through their narrative structure, for example, the musical(Jason, 2001). By using genre theory, we create an easy avenue to describe films and as result genre theory act as a technique of shortening academic works (Barry, 2005).

Horror films conventions

This genre of unsettling movies is meant to create panic and cause dread and alarm to the audience. While entertaining and mesmerizing the audience, the films creates a therapeutic experience. One of the key attributes of this genre is that it deals with the audiences’ primeval nature and its worries: audience (our) vulnerability, audience revulsions, human fear of death, human alienation, loss of individuality or the audience fear of sexuality. If done well with minimal dependence on terrifying special effects this genre could be an extremely influential film type, as it taps into the audience dream state and the terror inside man himself.

Horror film summary

Based on the theater version of Wollstonecraft Mary Shelly’s novel Frankenstein 1818.Frankenstein an American horror movie produced in 1931 is among the earliest feature-length films released in America. The film starts with a preamble that provides a warning to the audience as regards the terrifying story to trail opening. The movie’s setting is a castle in the Bavarian mountains and the main act Frankenstein (role by Clive Colin) ,and his famous assistant Fritz (played by Frye Dwight) are successful in putting together a human body from parts illegally taken from assorted corpse’s.

As the two proceed with their bringing to life mission (electricity application on the assembled corpse), former Frankenstein’s professor, Dr. Waldman (played by Edward Van Sloan), his wife Elizabeth (Clarke Mae) and his friend Victor (played by J Boles) joins them. The three try in vain to convince Frankenstein not to proceed with the experiment. It is only after killing both Waldman and Fritz that Frankenstein realizes that the brain their used in the creature’s body was that of a criminal, this explains the creature’s impulsive outbursts the moment it was finally animated. The creature manages to escape from the castle and succeeds in befriending a little girl (played by Marilyn Harris) from the close by countryside. Unfortunately, it involuntarily drowns the girl in a lake. Finally, a rural community mob manages to corner and trap the monster in a deserted windmill, which the crowd then sets on fire, apparently killing the creature.

Genre conventions exhibited in the film

Horror character

The movies hulking creature, which is revealed by,(Boris) with protruding neck bolts and a flat head. The monster character is an important genre convention for this type of genre. It is only after killing both Waldman and Fritz that Frankenstein realizes that the brain they used in the creature’s body was that of a criminal, this explains the creature’s spontaneous outbursts the moment it was finally animated.

The fear convention is also displayed when the film is about to start, “The film starts with a preamble that provides a warning to the audience as regards the terrifying story to trail opening” and proceeds with the location description. While entertaining and mesmerizing the audience the films create a therapeutic experience. One of the key attributes of this genre is that it deals with the audiences’ primeval nature and its worries: vulnerability is well exhibited when the monster drowns the helpless young girl.

Thrill watching and shocking scenes

Unfortunately, it involuntarily drowns the girl in a lake. Finally a rural community mob manages to corner and trap the monster in a deserted windmill, which the crowd then sets on fire, apparently killing the creature.

Frankenstein (role by Clive Colin) and his famous assistant Fritz (played by Frye Dwight) are successful in putting together a human body from parts illegally taken from different corpses.

Emerging conventions from the film

Love story and friendship

The creature manages to escape from the castle and succeeds in befriending a little girl (played by Marilyn Harris) from the close by countryside. As the two (Frankenstein and his assistant) proceed with their bringing to life mission (electricity application on the assembled corpse), former Frankenstein’s professor, Dr. Waldman (played by Edward van Sloan), his wife Elizabeth (Clarke Mae) and his friend Victor (played by J Boles) joins them. The three try in vain to convince Frankenstein not to proceed with the experiment (CASTLE, 2007).