'Final Girl Support Group' and 'Witchcraft for Wayward Girls' center women in horror
In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, Grady Hendrix examines the "final girl" trope in horror movies, delving into the trauma these characters endure and questioning the gratification audiences derive from fictional violence against women. Hendrix further explores the entertainment industry's tendency to valorize portrayals of killers, while neglecting victims in stories inspired by real-life murders—a dynamic he suggests mirrors societal misogyny against women challenging gender norms.
Additionally, the discussion touches on Hendrix's novel set in a 1970s maternity home, shedding light on the cruel practices faced by unwed pregnant teens during that era. Hendrix ponders the notion that beneath shocking acts lie perpetrators who believe in their righteousness, highlighting the nuanced nature of morality in horror narratives.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jan 31, 2025 episode of the NPR's Book of the Day
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
1-Page Summary
Hendrix on "Final Girl" Horror Trope
Grady Hendrix explores the "final girl" archetype, delving into the trauma these characters endure. He's fascinated by survivors' fear of reboots and sequels that prevent them ever feeling safe, pondering the lifelong impacts of such trauma experienced as teens like Lynette from a slasher film. Hendrix questions the gratification audiences, including himself, derive from violent narratives against women in horror.
Hendrix observes that modern "final girls" are often physically empowered like action heroes, contrasting the relatability of past depictions of ordinary people surviving against the odds through sheer willpower.
Violence Against Women in Media
Hendrix notes the entertainment industry's history of productions based on real-life murders, with actors portraying killers receiving accolades while victims are neglected. He suggests fictional killers' rage toward defiant women mirrors societal misogyny against those challenging gender roles, citing disproportionate hostility toward public figures like Hillary Clinton.
Cruelty of 1970s Maternity Homes
In his book set in a 1970s maternity home, Hendrix explores the practice of sending unwed pregnant teens away to give up babies for adoption, tied to hidden family histories. His research found these homes thrived from 1945-1973, controlling girls and downplaying childbirth's realities under the guise of beneficence.
Hendrix posits there are no pure villains, as even maternity home operators believed they acted rightly, the true horror stemming from harm caused by collective misguided conviction.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can explore the complexity of trauma through creative writing by crafting short stories that focus on the aftermath of a character's survival, rather than the survival itself, to gain a deeper understanding of long-term effects.
- Writing from the perspective of a survivor years after the event can help you empathize with the ongoing challenges they face. For example, create a character who survived a harrowing experience in their youth and now, as an adult, navigates triggers and memories while leading a seemingly ordinary life.
- Start a book club that focuses on novels and stories with nuanced portrayals of characters who have experienced trauma, to foster discussions about the real-life implications of these narratives.
- By selecting books where the 'final girl' archetype is presented with depth and the focus is on her journey rather than the violence she endures, you can open up conversations about the portrayal of women in media and its impact on societal views. For instance, choose a book where the protagonist deals with the psychological aftermath of trauma and uses it as a catalyst for personal growth or social change.
- Encourage empathy and understanding by volunteering at organizations that support survivors of violence or trauma, using insights from the narratives to inform your approach.
- Engaging with survivors through volunteer work at shelters or hotlines can provide practical support while also allowing you to apply a more informed, compassionate perspective. For example, when interacting with survivors, consider the long-term journey they're on, which often includes dealing with public perception and personal healing, and offer support that acknowledges their strength and resilience.
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Hendrix's Take On the "Final Girl" Trope in Horror
Grady Hendrix explores the "final girl" archetype in horror, delving into the trauma these characters endure and the evolution of their depiction over time.
Hendrix's Curiosity About Trauma Survivors From Horror Killers
Hendrix is fascinated by the concept of "final girls" in horror, particularly the trauma they experience and the ongoing fear of sequels and reboots that prevent them from ever truly feeling safe after surviving. He is deeply interested in the aftermath of these characters' horrific experiences, especially considering the long-term effects of trauma that occurred at a young age. Hendrix's investigation led him to ponder the lifelong repercussions of surviving such an event as a teenager, conceptualizing the continuous impact of this trauma on the survivors' lives, even after the movie ends.
Hendrix Examines Teen Trauma and Its Lifelong Impacts
Specifically, Hendrix points out a character named Lynette, who endured a Christmas-themed slasher film's terror and has been living with that trauma ever since. His work delves into the psychological scars carried by people who have encountered such violence in their youth.
Hendrix Grapples With His Enjoyment of Violent Horror Movies Against Women
As a horror fan, Hendrix has come to question the ethics and cultural forces of deriving entertainment from depictions of violence against women in the genre. Reflecting on his adult realizations, Hendrix acknowledges his history of watching horror movies that often portray the murder of women and wonders what this habit signifies about his own mindset. Despite this, he admits that the films he finds himself returning to are those with "final girls" who escape and survive the bleakest of circumstances, finding a semblance of reassurance in their resilience.
Horror Fan Hendrix Questioned the Ethics and Cultural Forces Of Deriving Entertainment From These Depictions
Hendrix's engagement with the genre leads him to an ethical crossroad, as he critically ponders ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Hendrix's Take On the "Final Girl" Trope in Horror
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can analyze the evolution of female characters in your favorite horror films by creating a timeline that highlights their traits from different eras. Start with movies from the '70s and '80s and compare them to recent films, noting changes in the characters' empowerment, skills, and responses to trauma. This exercise can deepen your understanding of cultural shifts in character development and societal attitudes towards trauma and resilience.
- Explore the ethical implications of violence in entertainment by writing a short story or script that subverts typical horror tropes. Focus on creating a narrative that treats its characters' experiences with sensitivity and complexity, rather than for shock value. This can be a creative way to engage with the genre while considering the impact of such portrayals on audiences and s ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Media's Cultural Obsession With Violence Against Women
Hendrix offers insights into the media's portrayal of real-life murderers and the fictional violence against women, stating that society has a complex relationship with this dark phenomenon.
Hendrix's Take On Media's Portrayal of Real-Life Murderers
Hendrix observed that the entertainment industry has a long history of making productions based on real-life murders. Actors who have portrayed murderers often receive accolades and awards for their performances. However, Hendrix pointed out that our culture's obsession with violence and the individuals who perpetrate it often neglects the victims themselves.
Society's Fascination and Repulsion by This Phenomenon, Notes Hendrix
Audie Cornish engaged Hendrix in a discussion about the portrayal of violence against women in media. She questioned how, as a male author, he approached the depiction of the traumatic experiences and mistreatment of women in his work, focusing on the darker aspects, such as fictional killers who treat women as objects to be collected or subjected to harm.
Hendrix's Analysis of Anger and Misogyny in Fictional Violence Against Women
In his analysis, Hendrix stated that the killers in his book pursue the final girls out of a sense of ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Media's Cultural Obsession With Violence Against Women
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The media also produces content that condemns violence and promotes victim advocacy, which can contribute to awareness and positive change.
- Some actors portraying murderers may not receive accolades, and the recognition of their work does not necessarily equate to glorifying the act of murder.
- There are media narratives and organizations that focus on the victims' stories and perspectives, providing them with a voice and honoring their memory.
- The fascination with violence in media can be seen as a reflection of human curiosity about the darker aspects of life, rather than an obsession or endorsement of such acts.
- Fictional narratives can serve as a critique of societal issues, including the objectification of women, and can provoke important conversations about gender dynamics and violence.
- Fictional killers' motivations can be diverse and not solely based on rage or anger; they can be complex characters with mu ...
Actionables
- You can diversify your media consumption by actively seeking out and supporting entertainment that portrays women in complex, non-objectifying roles. By doing this, you're not only expanding your own perspectives but also contributing to a demand for media that respects women's narratives. For example, choose films, books, and shows that are written by women or that have received positive recognition for their portrayal of female characters.
- Challenge your own perceptions by writing a short story or creating a piece of art that flips traditional gender roles or portrays characters in a way that defies stereotypes. This exercise can help you explore and dismantle your own internalized views on gender and violence. If you're not into writing or art, even mentally conceptualizing such a story can be a reflective practice.
- Engage in conversations with friends or online communities about ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Cruelty of 1970s Maternity Homes for Unwed Teens
Grady Hendrix delves into the dark past of maternity homes in America, revealing the harsh realities faced by unwed pregnant teenagers who were sent away during their pregnancies.
Sending Unmarried Pregnant Teenagers To Maternity Homes For Adoption
In the early 1970s, a common practice was to send pregnant teenagers who were not married to maternity homes to hide during the last trimester of their pregnancy. The practice was to then take the baby for adoption and return the girl home with a fabricated story. These institutions thrived from roughly 1945 to 1973, with around 190 homes across the United States.
Hendrix's Ties to History and Research on Girls' Realities in These Institutions
Author Grady Hendrix learned that two family members had been subjected to maternity homes, a fact hidden until they reached their 60s or 70s and would never have spoken of otherwise. His research included reading Ann Fessler's "The Girls Who Went Away," where mothers spoke about their experiences—at times beginning at ages as young as 13, 14, and 15—being coerced into giving up their babies and urged to forget them, exposing the heartrending impossibility of their situations.
Lack of Villains in Hendrix's "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls," Exploring Harm From Misguided Conviction
Hendrix on Cruelty in Maternity Homes Masked As Beneficial for Girls
In his book "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls," set in a 1970s maternity home, Hendrix portrays a narrative devoid of pure villains. He suggests the real terror arises not from malevolent forces but from harm caused by individuals who truly believe they are acting beneficently. Maternity homes, while varying in the quality of care, were united in their approach to t ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Cruelty of 1970s Maternity Homes for Unwed Teens
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore your family history to uncover untold stories by interviewing older relatives and creating a family tree that includes their experiences during different historical periods. This can help you understand the personal impacts of societal norms and how they shaped your family's past, similar to how Hendrix discovered hidden stories about maternity homes.
- Write a short story or personal essay that reimagines a historical event or societal norm from the perspective of someone who experienced it, like the girls in maternity homes. This exercise can foster empathy and a deeper understanding of how individuals are affected by the collective beliefs of their time.
- Volunteer at an orga ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Create Summaries for anything on the web
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser
