week 12

The fear you feel when reading Joyce Carol Oates “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is quite different, from the fear induced by a movie thanks to the medium itself. In Oates tale the fear is subtle and psychological woven through Connie’s thoughts and growing sense of unease. Readers are drawn into Connie’s emotions and uncertainties using their imagination to picture the slow building threat posed by Arnold Friend. This engagement is a mix of intellect and emotion relying on interpretations and the emotive power of language. On the hand horror films often rely on auditory cues to instill fear. Sudden shocks, sounds and unsettling visuals directly impact our senses triggering a physical response. Movies don’t leave much to the imagination; they show horror explicitly creating a sometimes overwhelming experience. So while literary fear emerges from, within us as we imagine the scenarios cinematic fear is a force that hits us head on with its intensity.