On our first article posted, speaking of Why Do We Love Horror So Much, catharsis was casually brought up. However, given that it is such an important aspect of horror and why a lot of us consume it, it deserves an entire article dedicated to it (and maybe more in the future). And I’d personally like to write about it.
As someone whose default state lies in the darker side of things (dealing with sadness, anger, fear, hurt, and more), I often feel out of place as a creator who wishes to contribute something constructive (and therefore positive) to others. But that’s because, mingling and getting caught up in the brighter side of life (which undoubtedly has its benefits), I often forget something essential: a lot of us NEED catharsis.
Sometimes we need sad songs, on fingerstyle guitar, to gently strum our pain away as we cry. Sometimes we need not an upbeat and uplifting conversation, but a heart-to-heart one where sorrows are shared. Sometimes we need someone beside us, even if they don’t fully understand us, showing us that it’s okay to not be at our “best” and allowing us to let it all out or to at least go through it. Sometimes what we consider dark is exactly what we need, heavy as it may be, to begin feeling lighter. Sometimes.
And that’s just sometimes because, just as medicine and remedies can be harmful and detrimental under the wrong circumstances, so can this be. When you take too much of it or take it when you don’t need it. Or if you have conditions that cause you to respond negatively and destructively, or simply poorly to it. In these cases, it wouldn’t be of help. May even be dangerous. So I continually stress that you should be cautious and care for your wellbeing.
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| Within Temptations - All I Need (2007) |
Catharsis can be extremely triggering to many. It is reaching into and opening (perhaps old and rotting) wounds to purge you from the damaging stuff that they hold. And it’s understandable if that’s something that you’re not up for - it can be messy, as well as deeply and greatly upsetting. And unless you’re like me, someone who’s fine with dedicating a huge portion of their life to introspection and expression, you probably have other things that you’d rather tend to.
And even if you want it for yourself, you may not be in a situation that lets you go for it. Maybe you have a demanding job that requires you to actively and consistently perform a certain way. Or maybe you’re surrounded by people that would punish you or use it against you if you let your guard down. Or maybe you’re afraid, and for valid reasons, that you won’t be able to handle it without proper support and assistance and it’ll do you more bad than good. It is understandable.
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| Within Temptations - All I Need (2007) |
Catharsis is concisely defined as:
“The process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.”
You’ll need room for that.
Genres like Horror (along with Drama) tend to provide a bit of room for that. Furthermore, they may give you the nudges that you’re missing toward experiencing catharsis. Even if what they portray is far worse than what you carry or, if on the contrary, is minor in comparison, they may do the trick - by bringing up the principles and patterns behind what you suffered, and possibly even numerous details that also match. Plus, the fact that you’re being a third person in the creation and/or consumption of the stories that release your emotions grants you detachment that could aid you in facing them.
The biggest release might come from creating, so that you can make sure, through whatever preferred means you have (writing, painting, sculpting, composing, etc.), to tackle all that there is to tackle. To reach into and open yourself up as much as necessary to completely and absolutely heal from a wound. But it can also be so incredibly relieving (not to mention easier) to just consume a piece of work that resonates with you.
Happy and joyful works definitely play a role in making and keeping you okay. Yet, interestingly, so do horror-filled (or not so pleasant) ones at some point or another because of their, among other features, cathartic quality. Could seem or actually be a little masochistic, but what matters is whether it is ultimately restorative for you or not.
Do you turn to horror and other relatively unpleasant works to experience catharsis?