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Trigger warnings and taboo subjects
As an author, I try to stay abreast of current affairs. Something which has been foregrounded in the book industry this year, is the virulent disgust directed towards authors who have the audacity to tackle difficult themes. The umbrella term often used to describe this visceral reaction to media is cancel-culture. However, very few individuals have been cancelled, and only a handful of lesser-known authors have been dropped by publishers in response to what they write about in their fiction, have done in their personal lives, or have said on social media.
Both sides, for and against cancel-culture, contain persuasive arguments. The argument that we should protect marginalised groups – by removing the platform of anyone who incites hatred – acknowledges the role of hate-speech in historical genocides. Whereas the counterargument maintains that free speech is worth protecting and any erosion of free speech renders it meaningless. The debate effectively pits one side against the other, leaving little room for nuance.
Within literature, the concept of intent muddies the water further. A contemporary character might use racist or sexist language specifically to show that they are an unsympathetic antagonist. A historical character might use the same language to highlight a perceived difference between that time and now. Can modern readers be trusted to understand that a character’s views do not necessarily reflect the author’s views? The discussion about whether Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness should be included in a modern curriculum exemplifies this.
The Horror genre’s raison d'être is to challenge readers and make them uncomfortable. Should this mean Horror authors have a get-out-of-jail-free-card, or are some subjects taboo, even in horror?
Readers use horror for various purposes ranging from adrenaline-fuelled entertainment to tackling or unpacking personal trauma in a controlled and safe space. While some can be distressed by certain triggers, others may find comfort. In the words of Cesar Cruz: “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” The shame that surrounds many survivors of sexual assault can seem isolating. For those readers, the vicarious experience of a protagonist’s healing journey or revenge may feel like representation. We are all different and process things in different ways.
I do not believe that horror is a genre suited to censorship, but I am a fan of trigger warnings, which empower readers by allowing them to decide whether they are in the right frame of mind to be exposed to a particular subject. Trigger warnings can be woven subtly into a blurb or be listed somewhere in the forward. I believe such warnings have a place in horror and may go a long way toward mitigating risk and minimising harm. Many authors and readers disagree with my reasoning, and the debates about trigger warnings and cancel-culture are far from settled.
Other blogs participating in October Frights this year
Reading Fiction Blog – Paula Cappa
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