Spoiler Alert, I Like Bears And Bats

i. the monster's body is a cultural body

ii. the monster always escapes

iii. the monster is the harbinger of category crisis

iv. the monster dwells at the gates of difference

v. the monster polices the borders of the possible

vi. fear of the monster is really a kind of desire

these are all direct quotes from jeffrey jerome cohen's "monster culture (seven theses)" (full pdf linked) i highly encourage you to read it yourself!

that said, while i think cohen's writing is evocative, it can be a little dense, so while i'm here, here's my capsule summary (you can also hear me talk about this in the first episode of my podcast) (listen to @ghostswerepeopletoo)

i. the monster's body is a cultural body - The monster is a work of fiction to be analyzed through tools of literary and sociological theory.

ii. the monster always escapes - As long as the cultural fear from which the monster stems persists, the monster will reappear in retellings, reimaginings, and sequels.

iii. the monster is the harbinger of category crisis - Monsters defy binaries and challenge easy comprehension or categorization.

iv. the monster dwells at the gates of difference - The monster represents the Other.

v. the monster polices the borders of the possible - Tales of the monster exist to discourage unacceptable or taboo behaviors.

vi. fear of the monster is really a kind of desire - Subjects can vicariously participate in the disruption of the social order through the monster.

Eridian scientist: why did they send a baby to space?!

Rocky: Grace is not a baby. He’s a fully grown human and you all need to respect that-

At the same time another Eridian: the human is thirty!! Are you COMPLETELY sure he’s not a child? He’s barely coordinated!

Rocky: Grace is very sick!! Of course he’s not coordinated you fucking idiot-

ALSO at the same time: did you not think to teach him how to understand us properly?? Let alone communicate with us.

Rocky: he doesn’t have the vocal cords for most of our sounds!! And we were WORKING on him being able to understand proper speech but he’s delirious?! The fact he’s conscious is a miracle-

Grace who is visible stressed and half covering his ears but also trying to listen: what’s going on?? I can’t hear you guys it’s too loud- Rocky what’s going on?!

Rocky: apology apology other Eridians ask dumb dumb dumb questions, Rocky tell Grace later. Grace sleep now Rocky handle.