Peaceful Oni’s Library of Monstrosities: #1 Defining Monsters
What is a Monster? Well, we often have a quite clear understanding of what a monster is. A dangerous beast capable of massive harm that is often representative of our societal or personal fears and vices. But as a monster myself, I question the utility of this definition in my writings. So, I propose a different understanding of monsters. A creature of varying morality, representative of the foreign, oppressed, and uncertain, the odd, independent, and hard to grasp, or lastly the repulsive, corrupting, and tyrannical. With this new definition, we do not need to fear the loss of allegories for the monstrous, as this definition leaves room for every monstrous allegory you desire. I see the use of evil monsters as abstractions of things we face day to day to help us see those things in a new light, learning to acknowledge that evil or thinking and feeling deeper into the fear the monster represents. With this new definition, however, the monster can be more than just a representation of evil and allow us to better play with what we see as monstrous in our societies and cultures. I feel we have been moving towards this for a while with the growth of troupes where humanity is the true monster in the end, and now I wish to push that forward. Not that humanity is monstrous mind you, as that is more circumstantial than innate, but rather the pushing of our understanding and use of monsters.
A new question will likely arise as of now. What is the purpose of the Library of Monstrosities? It is threefold. First, as a place for me to explore the monsters human minds have made, going into what I find compelling and disappointing about them, as well as the role they play in a society. Second, as an exploration of my own monsters, explaining their origin and what they mean to me and my worlds. Third, as a place for short stories and poems about monsters, exploring these ideas in their more abstract form (These will likely be monetized in most cases, as even a monster must consume). My purposes are now clear, and you may choose if you wish to partake in them. I know not how often they will come out, especially with my current schedule, but I hope you will keep an eye out for them.
Farewell, for now, my little monsters,
-The Peaceful Oni
