The author reflect upon their childhood love of monster films. Recognizing the monsters as symbolic of xenophobia and fear of technology the author mentions that as a child monster films provided an interactive experience. These monsters were more than just a symbol in film but helped to assist in the cultural drama of the viewers life. The films provided an escape, a way of being vicariously free from limitation and restraints forced upon the viewer.

Girls were a “its” similar to the monster because they forced to “display and understand themselves as objects”. Viewing herself from the outside, monster films provided the author with means of reconciling a negative self-image. Their own physical appearance was not of concern for these monsters. They thrashed about wildly destroying their surroundings while violating ideas of what was acceptable. While the girl had to keep negative emotions restrained to the point of showing appreciation for actions she resented, the monster had freedom to be its unadulterated self.

Watching the film with her sister the other feels as though they created a safe space in which they could indulge in ritual and be unnaffected by outside influence. The ritual space allowed the girls the freedom to indulge in traditionally “unladylike” behavior without fear of reprimand. They were free in this space to be take back their bodies from the objectification women experienced.

A woman’s body is dangerous to society if they do not conform to the standards and gave in to desire. Her life in turn becomes a battle between being “civilized” and being herself. Through the process of upholding “cultural paradigms” women help foster the destruction of self and others. Through the ritual of monster films, the author helped to solidify an idea of feminism. These ideas could never leave the ritual space. Girls were forced to deal with personal attack on their own without assistance.

Although her mother attempted to free her from some societal constraints, she could not provide the author with framework to understand herself as a woman outside of traditional paradigms. Like the monster attacking the city, women who chose to express themselves are met with heavy resistance.

The monsters were the vehicle for liberation for these girls even as women. It helped to liberate them from their restraints and the burden of expectations.  This is especially the case in which the author observes young girls role playing as raptors from Jurassic Park. The raptors worked together, were intelligent, and highly adaptable helping to free these little raptors from the fences of expectation.

These girls embodied ideals of feminism which a danger to hetero-patriarchal standards.  Considering the monsters as a metaphor for freedom the author reveals the pressure both she and many women feel under the pressure of societies burdens. Repeatedly, the author uses the monster as a medium to convey the ability to be true to one’s self and their desires.

How does the monster embody the idea of self-acceptance?

How does the struggle of girls/women go unrecognized?