Monsters from the Id: The Rise of Horror in Fiction and Film

Everyone who is tempted is attracted and seduced by his own wrong desire. Then the desire conceives and gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown it too has a child, and the child is death. - James 1:14-5. _Monsters from the Id: The Rise of Horror in Fiction and Film_, published by Spence Publishing in 2000, by noted Catholic intellectual E. Michael Jones and founder of _Culture Wars_ magazine offers a unique perspective on the horror genre in both fiction and film, seeing it as largely a conflict between Enlightenment "liberation" and the natural moral order (expressed in the form of the monster). Throughout this book, Jones will argue that we moderns do not understand horror because we are too immersed in the values of the Enlightenment and thus fail to appreciate the conflict between Enlightenment "liberation" and the natural moral order (as expressed in the Counter-Enlightenment). In particular, Jones will examine the case of sexual liberation (frequently championed by proponents of the Enlightenment), showing how remorse and guilt resulting from such liberation ends up taking on the form of the monster. Jones will argue that the reason why horror exists at all is because this conflict has not been adequately resolved in our society and that when the moral order is transgressed it comes biting back. Throughout the book, Jones traces the trajectory of horror along with the trajectory of the Enlightenment and sexual liberation, showing how bloodshed always results when the values of the Enlightenment are put into effect. In this way, the monster that appears in the horror story or film may be seen as the repressed natural moral order coming back to its rightful place. Jones begins with some comments on "A Legacy of Horror". Jones notes the role of Mary Shelley's work _Frankenstein_, arguing that the interpretation of this book has become confused, and then makes some comments on the film _Mimic_ which includes the triumph of religion (and in particular of Roman Catholicism in the form of a rosary) over the Enlightenment. The first part of this book is entitled "The Monster Travels From France to England". Jones begins by considering why the French revolution failed. Jones notes the bloodshed of the French revolution and the role of such disturbed individuals as La Mettrie and de Sade in bringing it about, quoting extensively from the works of Erik von Kuehnelt-Liddehn. In particular, Jones examines the role of William Godwin and his arguments for Enlightenment rationalism and sexual liberation. Jones notes the relationship between Godwin and the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, as well as his marriage to noted feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. Jones also notes the role of such individuals as the Duc D'Orleans in bringing about the regicide during the French revolution as well as the role of Adam Weishaupt and his Illuminati as mentioned by the Abbe Barruel in his _Memoirs Illustrating the History of Jacobinism_. For Mary Wollston

Slowly and by degrees the world is inching towards an understanding that the "Enlightenment" was at best cleverly orchestrated agit-prop, at worst a self-indulgent, wanton grab for power.This is a wonderful book. Jones confidently, wittily and effortlessly dissects the manners and morals of the likes of Shelly and Godwin. My only wish is that Jones in the future would broaden his canvas to convey the horror that has been the legacy of the Enlightenment not just in the realm of sex but in the entire culture.That said, this is cultural criticism at its best. A treat! It reminded me of Dostoyevsky's "The Devils." It demands a place on your shelf along side the likes of Eric Voegelin, Marion Montgomery, Jean Brun and Thomas Molnar.

Mr. Jones' theories are interesting, even fascinating. His comments about movies like "Psycho" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" seem right on the mark, especially when compared to most critical theory which describes those films, and others like them, as artistic responses to "cold war fears". If "Psycho" was a reaction to the paranoia of the cold war, why does it continue to resonate today? Jones' theories will not win him a lot of fans(his discussions of Darwinism, Newtownian science, vampirism and abortion fly in the face of today's politically correct thought), but they are too well researched and developed to be easily dismissed. His historical and cultural takes on the Shelleys, the Marquis de Sade, Bram Stoker, and filmmakers from James Whale to the makers of "Friday the 13th" are fascinating--a kind of fun ride through the world of the guilty conscience. Great horror flicks don't stray far from fear or guilt or God. This is a great book about some of those great films.

This is one of the better books that I have read in quite some time. E. Micheal Jones examines horror books and films focusing more specifically on Frankenstien, Dracula, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and the Aliens films among others. He examines what drives people to write or make books/films of this nature. He supports his conclusions with concise information that is easy to understand. The book was so good that I was dissapointed when it was over. It is hard to debate his conclusions, but it will be shocking when you agree with him because it makes you evaluate what you believe, and what you are allowing yourself to watch and read. This is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone.