Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
2-12-2025
Department 1
First Year Seminar
Department 2
Interdisciplinary Studies
Abstract
Throughout history, monsters have both disturbed and captivated humanity. Initially defined by their grotesque physical forms, monsters have evolved to symbolize deeper psychological fears, often reflecting the instability or distortion of human identity. This project examines the shifting portrayal of monstrosity in literature and film, focusing on works like Frankenstein, Dracula, and Alien. By blurring the line between human and monstrous, these stories reveal the fragility of human identity and expose our profound fears of psychological and existential instability, challenging us to confront what it truly means to be human.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
KC, Arya, "How do Literary and Cinematic Monsters Reveal the Fear of the Instability or Distortion of Human Identity?" (2025). CAFE Symposium 2025. 2.
https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/cafe2025/2