Analysis of Why We Crave Horror Movies by Stephen King

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Not only is Stephen King’s essay, “Why We Crave Horror Movies”, a biased sample, but it also appeals to population and emotion. To further explain why we crave horror movies, King argues that “we are all mentally ill” (345). He expresses that we all make an independent decision to buy a movie ticket and sit in a theatre. King goes on the to explain our mental insanity through examples, such as, “sick jokes” (347). According to King, these “sick jokes” prove our insanity and our need to release that insanity through watching horror films. Although King does offer valid points and relative evidence that support his arguments, the points only pertain to a certain portion of the population. What about the people who don’t crave horror movies, or the ones who do not fit into the, we, of Why We Crave Horror Movies? There are many individuals who would object to the insanity of watching a movie that could possibly keep them from sleeping at night. Such individuals may be quite disturbed reading this essay, wondering how they got dragged into this stereotype of these human beings. King states, “The potential lyncher is in all of us” (346). Is it really though? The mention of everyone having that same personality trait embedded somewhere in their personality makes one question their identity. King is appealing to emotion here, failing to realize that there are many people who would rather be somewhere else, rather than in a huge, dark room watching a movie they will be scared to walk out of, because of the things that they‘ve just witnessed. While appealing to population King also appeals to the emotions of his readers. In doing so King suggests that the movies that we watch suit the way ... ... middle of paper ... ...vely to lack attention given to them. King lures his readers in by using an issue that is relative. By doing this, it automatically makes that reader think into the possibilities of all humans’ sanity, or lack thereof. “Why We Crave Horror Movies” includes valuable evidence that backs up its argument that “We are all mentally ill”. However, its argument would not be subject to opposition if it were specifically directed towards horror film viewers. King’s failure to specify his audience, falsely accuses some of his readers. While his argument of human insanity is justifiable, his argument generalizes, appeals to emotions, appeals to populations, and his are opinions are biased because Stephen King, himself, enjoys horror movies. Works Cited King, Stephen. “Why We Crave Horror Movies.” One Hundred Great Essays. Ed. Robert Diyanni.

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