  Horror/Scary
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“Hansel and Gretel” is a Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale about a brother and sister abandoned in the woods by their evil stepmother. Eventually they came upon a magnificent gingerbread house with windows made of sugar. The children began to nibble on the house, attracting the attention of the owner, an elderly lady who invites them in and feeds them. Unfortunately the old lady is really a witch, and her culinary tastes include children. Fortunately the children escape, having tricked the witch into her own oven and escaping with her jewellery as the gingerbread house burns down. When they get home they find the stepmother was really the witch in disguise. The jewellery is sold, and Hansel and Gretel live happily ever after with their father. |
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The very thought of cannibalism fills almost every human being with fear and revulsion. It seems to reduce our species to one of the most primitive on the planet. It is, however, a common feature among other members of the animal kingdom, including the octopus, bats, toads, monitor lizards, crocodiles and many insects. I wonder if this is perhaps one of the reasons why these animals feature in many examples of horror fiction – does the cannibalistic trait perhaps contribute towards a sub-conscious fear of these creatures? Jane Goodall recorded cases of infanticide among chimpanzees, some of whom killed and ate their own offspring. Lions will kill and eat their predecessor’s offspring when taking over a harem. Stressed female gerbils and hamsters have been known to consume stillborn infants, and pigs raised for the meat industry are renowned for this kind of behaviour…
Genetic studies from all over the world indicate prehistoric man practiced cannibalism. Today scientists suggest a gene has evolved over time as a form of protection against brain diseases thought to be caused by consuming human flesh. Historically cannibalism has been used as a propaganda tool, accusing the enemy of acts of cannibalism to separate them from their humanity.
Society defines three different types of cannibalism:
Ritual cannibalism, sanctioned by tribal law or cultural custom.
Cannibalism by necessity, caused by extreme situations like famine.
Cannibalism by mentally disturbed persons.
A tribe called the Fore from Papua New Guinea has been studied because so many of their members died from a disease called kuru. This disease is believed to be caused by the consumption of human flesh. Similar to "CJD” (mad cow disease) kuru means “trembling with cold and fever” - one of the first symptoms of the disease. The Fore tribe was known to perform ritualistic cannibalism, and over 1,100 members died between 1957 and 1968. Most of the victims were females, although a number of the elderly and children succumbed to kuru. The main reason for this is because corpses were handled and prepared by the women who were looking after both male (until they were old enough to join the tribal males) and female children as well as older tribal members. Another reason is the distribution of body parts according to status in the family. A female brain would be prepared for a woman's son's wife or her brother's wife, and as this organ is considered the most significant catalyst for kuru this ritual would explain the spread of the disease amongst females.
Some African traditional healers are known to use body parts in their “medicine”. The victims of this dreadful practice are usually children, because their bodies are considered clean, pure and innocent.
“The Custom of the Sea” is a maritime custom carried out by survivors of shipwrecks and other sea accidents. Lots are drawn to decide which survivor will be killed and eaten so others may live. In 1884 a case in England became the first time cannibalism by necessity was used by the defence. Four crew of the yacht “Mignonette” became castaways 1,600 miles from land after a storm. After drifting in the sea for eight days one member collapsed when his desperate thirst forced him to drink sea water. Although one of the three remaining men objected they decided to kill and eat him. Four days later the three were rescued, and returned to London where they were charged with murder. Incredibly the one dissenting vote meant “The Custom of the Sea” had not been “honoured”, because the vote must be unanimous.
Throughout history instances of cannibalism have been reported during times of conflict. Civil wars in the African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Congo have several references to the practice. Documentary and forensic evidence supports eyewitness accounts of cannibalism by Japanese troops during World War II. When food supplies ran out, the soldiers would kill and eat each other when enemy civilians were not available. In other cases, the more fortunate captured enemy soldiers were killed. The less fortunate suffered cannibalisation-for-sustenance over several days. This ensured the meat taken from the victim during the days he was kept alive was fresh.
Cannibalism by a mentally disturbed person is perhaps best illustrated by the case of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who admitted to eating the biceps of one of his victims. He also stored human flesh removed from some of the 17 people he murdered in his refrigerator.
Incredibly, cannibalism has found a prominent place in many works of literature and is a feature of many myths and legends:
 The schoolboys in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” use their individual heights to decide which of them will be eaten.
Greek mythology tells of how Cronus, on learning he was destined to be overpowered by his son, would swallow his children whole as soon as they were born.
Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus” serves a pie filled with the flesh of brothers Chiron and Demetrius to their mother Tamora.
Cannibalism is reported in the Bible during the siege of Samaria. In 2 Kings 6:25-30 two women makr a pact to eat their children. The first cooked her child and the second ate it, but refused to reciprocate by cooking her own child. The same story is reported by Flavius Josephus during the siege of Jerusalem by Rome in 70AD.
JK Rowling’s death eater character Fenrir Greyback from “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” is a cannibal with a preference for children.
Tennessee Williams’ “Suddenly Last Summer” features the killing of Sebastien by cannibals.
Patrick Bateman, the lead character in Bret Easton Ellis’ “American Psycho”, eats some of his victim’s body parts, particularly their brains.
Thomas Harris’ Hannibal Lector is probably the most famous literary cannibal featuring in four books: “Red Dragon”, “Silence of the Lambs”, “Hannibal” and “Hannibal Rising”.
Stephen King’s short story “Survivor Type” is about a man stranded on a desert island who eats his limbs and other body parts.
Investigators unknowingly eat the barbecued ribs of a man whose murder they are investigating in Fannie Flagg’s “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.”
Herman Melville’s semi-factual book “Typee” is about his visit to the Pacific Island Nuku Hiva. He lived with a cannibal tribe for a few weeks before fleeing the island, fearful he was destined for their cooking pot.
Cannibalism and drugs are used to gain the memories of the dead in Gene Wolfe’s “The Book of the New Sun”.
Sweeney Todd is a famous fictional barber from the 19th century who used his straight razor on his customers’ throats. The meat was used to fill his friend’s meat pies.
Horror writer Jack Ketchum’s books “Off Season” and “Offspring” tell of a group of American cannibals who hunt their prey.
According to Robert A Heinlein’s central characters in his book “Martians” the consumption of one’s dead friends is considered an act of respect.
Author Poppy Z. Brite’s horror novel “Exquisite Corpse” is based on real life serial killer Dennis Nielsen, and is the love story of two cannibalistic serial killers.
Scott Westerfeld’s gruesome book “Peeps” tells of a parasitic disease destroying mankind as it turns its victims into cannibals.
Personally I think writing about cannibalism is a bit of a challenge. The subject is distasteful (please forgive the pun) and for those writers who put a lot of themselves into their stories the very thought of the mindset of a cannibal is extremely disturbing. While researching this subject I came across a photograph of Thomas Harris, and was surprised to find he looks perfectly normal. I immediately wondered how I had expected him to appear; I suppose this means our sub-conscious selves associate cannibalism with horrifying images. I found this quote from Harris’s “Silence of the Lambs”, attributed to Clarice Starling who analysed Hannibal Lector thus:
You see a lot, Dr. Lecter. I won’t deny anything you’ve said. But here’s the question you’re answering for me right now, whether you mean to or not: Are you strong enough to point that high-powered perception at yourself? It’s hard to face. I’ve found that out in the last few minutes. How about it? Look at yourself and write down the truth. What more fit or complex subject could you find? Or maybe you’re afraid of yourself.
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These stories feature the subject of this newsletter…
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And finally take a peek at this birthday bash - there's something for everyone at this party!
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Blanknow
I'm writing a Novel right now, hopefully I'll get it published, but there have been some concerns on the name. Originally I was going to call it Red Mist because there were a whole bunch of scary freaky creatures that were made out of red myst, but I cut the creatures out and now I'm changing the name. The name Red Myst sounds way cooler than my other one- One By One- but it has nothing to do with the story. Should I keep the name Red Mist or go with One By One?
My personal suggestion – and I’m no expert – is that unless you have “red myst” in your story then don’t use it for a title. Readers will obviously wonder what the name has to do with the story. Don’t commit yourself to any one title, Blanknow . Rather use “One by One” as a working title. I’m sure you’ll find a few more titles will come up before you’ve finished. Here’s a site I found with some advice you may find interesting: http://www.spannet.org/article-cullins-title.htm
billwilcox
Again, I enjoyed your newsletter very much. I don't describe my killers either, and the reason being is that I want the reader to think it could be them--that 'they' mentally fit the profile. Just as all my killers are me, in one form or another. I already know what I look like, why do I need to describe myself...lol.
Getting into your reader’s mind, making the reader question his or her mindset isn’t easy, billwilcox. It’s a real challenge for a writer, but I want to know more about this “killer within”…
StephBee 
Great topic. I loved Hannibal Lector as a horror character. Psychological horror has a very aspect and really brings out the emotions of the reader.
It also brings out a lot of the writer’s emotions, StephBee . Just researching and writing this newsletter gave me a lot to think about.
Seisa-sleepingcatbooks.com 
Thank you for highlighting "American Psycho" in this month's newsletter. That genre of movies is right up there at the top of my favorites list, along with "The Silence of the Lambs", "Final Analysis", and "Shattered", among others. I, too, find these to be more chilling and frightening than any Hollywood make-up monster!
The films are bad enough, but I always find the books even worse. When reading a psychological horror novel I find my mind creating the illusions from the writer’s words, Seisa-sleepingcatbooks.com . And those pictures are often far more graphic than the film, especially when they visit in the form of nightmares!
likenion
Excellent newsletter. Horror is way better when you spice it up with psychological elements. I have enjoyed watching American Psycho and Hannibal Lector. I also think that the best way to scare people is to go into their heads and mess with their mind to create fear.
Yes, it’s a good scare technique, likenion. Fear is something common to all of us; how that fear manifests itself can make a great horror story.
darkin
Wow, you are so right. Psychology horror is more frightening and stays with me longer than anything supernatural. It is definitely the stuff that nightmares are made of!
Thank you, darkin. I find the fact that many of us (and I include myself here) cannot resist the lure of psychological horror. It doesn’t matter how gruesome or terrifying the horror may be; it’s almost like a drug. That’s adrenalin, I suppose!
Nicola
I love that you opened this newsletter with a mention of American Psycho. Yes, Christian Bale executed the Bateman character perfectly. If you liked the movie, though, do yourself a favor and read the book. My sister and I both adored that novel, and almost inevitably, when we mention to others how brilliant we think it is, we receive looks of horror and disgust. Exceptional work is often unappreciated.
Thanks for a great newsletter! The psychological horror focus was a nice surprise. 
Pat of me is terrified to read that book, Nicola , because I always find the written word more terrifying than the visual image. I am sure I will give it a try, though. Better add it to the next Amazon order!
patrickstar
Great job on this newsletter!  I recently read American Psycho and I'm a fan of the Hannibal Lecter series, so I was particularly interested to read your take on some of fiction's creepiest villains. Although I'd like to write a story involving this type of character, I'm sort of glad that I can't get into the right mindset! 
Also, thanks for directing me towards the Ripley series -- I'll have to find them at the local library.
I know what you mean, patrickstar. I think there are places in all our minds, thoughts and dreams we don’t want to visit. We keep those doors locked, but do we ever throw away the keys?
scarlett_o_h
Thank you for another excellent and well-researched Newsletter. I find psychological horror far more intriguing and frightening than any other. I guess as you say, it's because we can all see something of ourselves or people we know in the characters. Enjoyed your thoughts - keep up the good work.
scarlett_o_h – that is truly a terrifying thought. I suppose most of us manage to keep our proverbial demons at bay… or at least we try!
SHERRI GIBSON 
As usual, your newsletter is excellent. I agree with you about Hannibal. He's one demented man whose most terrifying trait is the ability to play mind games.
So true, SHERRI GIBSON , and the awful thing is how those mind games affect the people who manage to escape Hannibal’s clutches. I don’t think anyone who ever has dealings with psychopaths like Hannibal feels 100 percent normal after the encounter.
⭐Princette♥PengthuluWrites 
Great newsletter! I agree, I like psychological horror better than traditional horror stories, because people can seem so normal, then turn out to be the complete opposite of what you expected...
I guess there’s an alter ego living in most of us, ⭐Princette♥PengthuluWrites . Makes me wonder what’s hiding inside my head…
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Horror/Scary: April 11, 2007 Issue [#1644]
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