Childbirth and Parenting in Horror Texts : The Marginalized and the Monstrous
ISBN: 9781787148819
Platform/Publisher: Ebook Central / Emerald Publishing Limited
Digital rights: Users: Unlimited; Printing: Limited; Download: 7 Days at a Time
Subjects: Fiction; Social Science; Literature;

This book examines childbirth and parenting in horror texts. By analysing new texts, and re-analysing commonly used texts with new feminist methodology, this study provides a unique contribution to the fields of gender and horror studies. Focusing on horror fiction and film, this book reviews textual treatments of birth and motherhood, and how they differ from representations of fatherhood. Motherhood and birth are represented as revolting in several ways. Mothers in horror do not fulfil their gender role, and the neglect of motherhood by a woman is deemed horrific because it is the antithesis of Western patriarchal ideals of female identity. These mothers are unforgiven. Bad fathers, in contrast, are given moments of restoration that allow audiences or readers to feel immediate sympathy for them. Examining conception, birth, motherhood and fathers, this work provides a unique exploration of the monstrous and the marginalized within the horror genre.

Amanda DiGioia is currently a doctoral student at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London, UK. Amanda's thesis examines women in the Finnish heavy metal music scene. Her research interests include horror texts, feminist theory and Finnish culture and society. Amanda's work has been featured in Metal Music Studies , Horror Studies , and Fan Phenomena: Game of Thrones .

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