Horror has always been an interest with people. It awakens morbid interests within seemingly normal people. These interests are so common and odd that people, especially those who have those interests, make theories about it, regarding why some are so interested in things that should make people cringe or run away. Some of these theorists and horror-makers are Stephen King, Angela Carter, and Stanley J. Solomon. Their theories can be applied to why people like works of horror, such as stories, haunted houses, or horror movies. One of these movies in particular is the classic Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2. This movie displays the ideas of these theorists in a variety of ways.
Stephen King discusses the inner self in his essay Why We Crave …show more content…
This starts around 55:00, when Stretch falls into Leatherface’s room, which is littered with skinless corpses. She hides because she knows how crazy he is and that he could overpower her in an instant (like when they had the encounter in the radio tower at 41:00). Later, around 1:07:00, she escapes Leatherface’s room. She quietly traverses the caverns she is stuck in, anticipating being captured once again. This is a perfect example of Solomon's nightmare world because it fits in with everything he said. Stretch was not prepared to be in the hellhole called Texas Battleland; she was a simple radio host days before. Also, Leatherface seems to have abnormal strength, and just seems so inhuman that it is difficult for the viewer to associate with him. These match up with Solomon’s statements about the unpreparedness of the victim and the strength of the source of horror. When Stretch is exploring the Texas Battleland in search of an exit, it shows Solomon’s idea of the victim knowing that there is danger around them as they explore. Since Stretch is a victim just as he described, the viewer has an easy time identifying with her. They can feel as close to death as she is, which makes The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 a great horror