In her essay, Monsters, Tacey Rosolowski, recounts her childhood and her and hers sisters obsession with B-movies that featured monsters. Rosolowski grew up in the 1960s but was too young to fully understand the social and political climate of the time. “…the Vietnam War, the exploding racial tensions [were events] that were beyond our [her and her sisters] grasp.” The manner in which the kids in her age group mimicked their older sibling’s way of dressing and being part of the “love movement” further alienated Rosolowski. “In these scenes I was always the outsider.” Being an outsider explains Rosolowski’s fascination with the monster movies. Monsters possessed several qualities that Rosolowski wished to possess and tried to personalize those characteristics into her life. She was attracted as to how comfortable monsters lived outside of the social construct. Monsters are categorized as something abnormal. Abnormal not just in appearance but abnormal to the accepted social structure. Rosolowski and her sister would not behave in the manner that young ladies were expected to behave. Watching monster movies offered that escape. Not only was Rosolowski able to associate with the monster as beings outside the social construct, she was able to personalize their physical appearance. As a child, Rosolowski battled weight issues, or better yet, was told that she suffered from weight issues. Rosolowski appreciated the fact that monsters were not concerned with the appearance. “…plodding monsters spoke to me. They burst out freely, throwing their weight around utterly unrestrained.” Rosolowski was very much constrained. Into trying to lose weight and having controlled portions of the foods she ate. Rosolowski desired the power to become free and to define herself outside the social construct. Because of this longing, it is clear as to why Roslowski sought refuge and found inspiration in monster movies.
- B-Movies are not as popular today as they were when Rosolowski grew up. If Rosolowski grew up today, what genre of film do you think she would draw inspiration from?
- Children today are being bullied at alarming rates and in some instances resulting in death. Do you think that B-movies would help them find the strength and courage to be themselves?
One of the articles I loved the most. It was very unique for the author to compare her and her sister’s lives to monsters. Monsters are normally feared due to how they look. Same way her and her sister were being categorized. They were not the average set of young ladies but then again what makes a lady a real lady? Society has this set image that plenty of people in the world strive to live up to. The sisters were showing examples of not looking and following everyone else can quickly turn a person into an outcast. It doesn’t matter how smart or what mindset a person has but if they don’t look up to par that makes them inhuman and monstrous.
I think kids will find a lot of strength and inspiration from B-movies. I strongly believe that most movies are made for kids , even its adult movies , theres always some underdog , some plot that makes one inspired. They would guide the child in not needing to worry about their social standpoint, cause in movies there are happily ever afters and the underdog always wins.