The Horror of Grief: Monstrous Effects of Unaddressed Grief in Jennifer Kentâs The Babadook

Julia PÅaczkiewicz

Jump to Content

Chapter 12 The Horror of Grief: Monstrous Effects of Unaddressed Grief in Jennifer Kentâs The Babadook

In: Grief, Identity, and the Arts

Author:

Julia PÅaczkiewicz

Julia PÅaczkiewicz
Search for other papers by Julia PÅaczkiewicz in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed

Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 198â205

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004158719_017

Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

â¬42.00â¬35.00Â excl. VAT

Add to Cart

Redeem Access Token

Abstract

This chapter explores the monstrous effects of unaddressed grief and its personification in Jennifer Kentâs horror film The Babadook (2014). The employment of the KÃ¼bler-Ross model of grief is necessary to fully understand the process of coping with death. The chapter offers an analysis of how the titular monster is a manifestation of the stages of mourning endured by the protagonist after the death of her husband. It is important to recognize the different types of grief that are not limited to the one caused by the loss of a loved one. The loss of the ideal future envisioned is likewise significant in investigating the psychological burden of death. Additionally, the protagonist experiences the loss of identity through the reduction to the role of a mother and a widow. Sarah Arnoldâs archetype of a âgood motherâ and a âbad motherâ is applied to discuss motherhood in the light of bereavement. The Babadook is the protagonistâs story of grief alongside a boogeyman who symbolizes repressed emotions. Conclusively, the initial terror and agony of the narrative gradually transform into acceptance, serving as a cathartic storyline for the characters and the viewers.

Citation Info

Save
Cite
Email this content

Share link with colleague or librarian

You can email a link to this page to a colleague or librarian:
Email this content
or copy the link directly:

https://brill.edhh.ma/abstract/book/9789004158719/BP000025.xml
The link was not copied. Your current browser may not support copying via this button.

Link copied successfully

Collapse
Expand

Grief, Identity, and the Arts

A Multidisciplinary Perspective on Expressions of Grief

Series:Â Death in History, Culture, and Society, Volume: 1

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004158719

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 15 Nov 2022

Subjects

Front Matter

Part 1 Collective Religious Identities

Part 2 Personal Religious Identities

Part 3 National Identities

Part 4 Family Identities/The Inner Circle

Part 5 Social/Societal Identities

Part 6 Identities of a Genre/Artistic Identity

Back Matter

Metrics

	All Time	Past 365 days	Past 30 Days
Abstract Views	5159	2251	44
Full Text Views	87	31	0
PDF Views & Downloads	67	7	0

African Studies	Education	Media Studies
American Studies	History	Middle East and Islamic Studies
Ancient Near East and Egypt	Human Rights and Humanitarian Law	Musicology
Art History	International Law	Philosophy
Asian Studies	International Relations	Religious Studies
Biblical Studies	Jewish Studies	Slavic and Eurasian Studies
Biology	Languages and Linguistics	Social Sciences
Book History and Cartography	Life Sciences	Theology and World Christianity
Classical Studies	Literature and Cultural Studies

Subjects

Authors

Open Access

Product Information

Company

Contact

Chapter 12 The Horror of Grief: Monstrous Effects of Unaddressed Grief in Jennifer Kentâs The Babadook

Abstract

Citation Info

Share link with colleague or librarian

Grief, Identity, and the Arts

A Multidisciplinary Perspective on Expressions of Grief

Table of Contents

Metrics

Metrics

Chapter 12 The Horror of Grief: Monstrous Effects of Unaddressed Grief in Jennifer Kentâs The Babadook