Brandon Beelman

English 1101/ K. Redding

Composition 2
28 June 2016
Our Perception of Monsters
In our day-to-day lives we face obstacles that define who we are. Monsters are the
defining element to who humans are and what our inner insecurities might be. Although
My Zombie, Myself and Monsters and the Moral Imagination" both discuss monsters
as being useful to the viewers, the difference lies in the monster they chose to talk about,
which bears examination because it shows the fears the different audiences experience.
First of all, these two essays talk about the increase in popularity of monsters like
zombies and vampires. It isn't surprising that nearly 5.3 million Americans watched the
first episode of the popular T.V. series The Walking Dead (Klosterman 40). What he
recognizes is that 5.3 million Americans feel connected to the zombie epidemic in some
way. In what way you might ask, well those watching the show are drawn in because they
themselves feel half dead inside. Asma agrees with Klosterman by announcing for the
past decade or so vampires were extremely popular, but have seen a recent decline where
zombies have taken over the cinema screens (Asma 61). Asma reveals that as time passes,
new monsters and creatures are created which means Americans fears are changing.
Klosterman adds to Asmas timeline noting, Mainstream interest in Zombies has steadily
risen over the past 40 years (Klosterman 40). As the office workforce increases so does
the connection to zombies. Those who watch a zombie show/movie for enjoyment feel
somehow connected to their daily life. Speculators ask why this is and many have

concluded that it is because of the repetitive office work. Asma starts off his essay
discussing how monsters like vampires and zombies are on the rise and how people can't
seem to get enough of them recently (Asma 61). Vampires and zombies are a little less
than 100 years old and are becoming increasingly amusing as our lives advance. They are
planting their roots in today's pop-culture because of the appeal to younger audiences as
well. Both essays agree that zombie and vampires are becoming more popular in America
today due to the way they operate.
Secondly, the two essays compare the lives of the living and the lives of those in
the monster realm. Klosterman compares the zombie slaying and office worker lifestyles,
The principal downside to any zombie attack is that the zombies will never stop coming;
the principal downside to life is that you will never be finished with whatever it is you
do (Klosterman 41). In both our normal lives and the apocalypse life we must do tasks
repeatedly without end. Shows that as we progress through human history, our
workmanship digresses and the deeper into a lifeless whole we fall. In recent events
Vampires are becoming popular due to more sinful actions as Asma adds, Any careful
reading of Bram stokers Dracula, for example, will reveal not only a highly sexualized
description of blood drinking, but an erotic characterization of the count himself (Asma
62). Asma examines the writings of the early vampires and notes that they are highly
sexual and erotic. The audience watching vampire shows/movies may be interested in the
erotic and sexual aspect the vampire puts off, this might show that a vast majority of the
western hemisphere has sexual preferences that aren't socially acceptable. Something is
happening in western culture as Klosterman deduces, It's not that zombies are changing
to fit the world's condition; it's that the condition of the world seems more like a zombie

offensive (Klosterman 40). Klosterman states that our world and our lives are changing
and becoming more like a zombie's life zombies are attractive because they are relatable
and show our fear of a repetitive life. Along with the changing wants and needs of
America is an artist form that differs from others present in modern monster films, Artist
convey moral visions that audiences can reflect on them, reject or embrace them, take
inspiration from them, and otherwise be enriched beyond the entertainment aspect.
(Asma 64) there is more to these monster movies than just blood and gore. Many people
watch them for pure entertainment, but others like it because of the underlying artist
aspects of it. Along with watching a movie because of its helpful what-if scenarios, there
is also an artist view of the plot, storyline, and scenery connection. The different monsters
represent a different fear someone somewhere has. By watching a monster movie, the
audience can see the fear each different monster represents.
Next, Both Klosterman and Asmas essays discuss what happens in a monster
attacks and why they are scary. Klosterman exclaims that, You can't add much depth
to a creature who can't talk, doesn't think and whose only motive is the consumption of
flesh (Klosterman 40). Klosterman means that this specific monster is simple and
methodical. It doesn't have much depth to it and there arent any surprises. The attack of
this monster is predictable and can be countered easily. Daniel Silva had managed to
stab and seriously injure seven people in the coffee shop, using a six inch hunting knife.
Asma talks about an event where the real life monster Daniel Silva enters a cafe and stabs
several innocent people (Asma 64). The connection between the mythical monsters and a
real life one isn't that far apart; they both pose tremendous threat, are random and unseen
and mythical monsters are a spawn of our real life monsters. Klosterman exclaims that

zombie killing isn't hard, step 1 is blasting one in the brain from close range, step 2 is
doing the same thing to the next zombie that takes the previous zombies place. Step 3
and 4 are identical the 1 and 2 and so on until you no longer have bullets or you die
(Klosterman 41). He means that zombie killing is simple and mechanical. Repetition
until the power supply to the machine is cut off. The attack of a zombie outbreak is scary
only because of the never-ending front of the undead. Asma recalls when another monster
wreaks havoc upon innocent people; four armed men in Kandahar, Afghanistan broke
into the home of Afghan headmaster/ teacher Malim Abdul Habib. These armed assailants
gathered Malims wife and children and forced them watch as they tortured and beheaded
Malim. (Asma 66) Asma adds this horrific scene in his essay to show that there is truly
horrifying monster in our lives who are not mentally sound. This insert is a shock to the
reader of the essay that bad things do happen in our lives and this is what they can
potentially look like. What events take place during is what scares most and in different
ways. By viewing a horror film, the viewer can watch and learn from what the monster
does and apply it to a situation the viewer might stumble upon.
Lastly, Asma and Klosterman comment that monsters provide a helpful purpose
too by teaching how to overcome our fears. Klosterman begins his ideas by jesting, what
if people are more interested in allegories of their day-to-day life feel than depictions of
their unconscious fears that explains why so many people watch The Walking Dead
(Klosterman 41). People watch these shows to see their fears and anxieties in action and
how the characters overcome the predicament they found themselves attending. By the
viewer watching their fears on TV play out, they feel less afraid and more able to cope
and overcome it. Asma disseminates, Brain imaging, together with hypothetical ethical

dilemmas about runaway trolley cars, can teach us a lot about our real value systems and
actions (Asma 62). Asma uses his research to explain how scientific research can reveal
a lot about how someone in curtain exigencies might react. By looking at brain imagery
scans and other scientific research will help America overcome the fear of the runaway
trolley car and help someone to rebound properly in a life or death situation.
Klosterman finishes this idea by expounding, "I know this is supposed to be scary but
I'm pretty confident about my ability to deal with a zombie apocalypse. I feel strangely
informed about what to do in this kind of scenario (Klosterman quotes his friend 43).
His friend admits how they are no longer afraid because they feel prepared by watching
the attacks happen. Klostermans friend overcame his/her fear because they watched the
movies or shows and instituted himself in the character's position and letting it play out in
order to become less traumatizing. Asma expresses the likeliness of an attack, "You're
unlikely to be put to the test of a monster attack but you might face similarly terrifying
trials. You might be assaulted, go to war, robbed, raped, or otherwise harassed/ assailed
(Asma 63). Asma reveals that a monster assault from a vampire or other mythical
creature is unlikely but instead could potentially be harassed or threatened in a more
common way like war violence, rape, assault, mugged/robbed, etc. If a real world
problem arises you may be further prepared having minded the current monster trend.
Watching a horror movie places the viewer inside the plot. As the plot plays out and the
conflict is resolved the viewer unlocks a new perspective to dealing with a more common
real-world problem and calming their fears of it.
In our daily lives we come across obstacles and challenges that develop our
thinking of who we are. Monsters are a large tell that allows us to exaggerate our fears

and imagine the best scenarios for the obstacles we face. Why we watch monsters, the
increasing popularity of zombies and vampires, how monsters are scary and what we can
learn from them are important to finding and overcoming your inner fears. I encourage
you to watch the next monster feature if you are interested in learning more about your
phobias or those of your peers.

Works Cited
Asma, Stephen. Monster and the Moral Imagination. Monsters: A Bedford Spotlight
Reader.Ed. Andrew J. Hoffman. New York: Bedford/St. Martins, 2016. 16-19.
Print.
Klosterman, Chuck. My Zombie, Myself: Why Modern Life Feels Rather
Undead. Monsters:
A Bedford Spotlight Reader. Ed.Andrew J. Hoffman. New York: Bedford/St.
Martins, 2016. 16-19. Print.