What is it about darkness that terrifies us so much? It's more than not being able to see, or not knowing for sure. After all, we know our own rooms, yet turn off the lights and it's easy to let imagination run away with our senses and conjure all manner of things for us to fear. Whatever the reason, darkness is used to great effect in movies and stories of all kinds. There's something primal about it. Moving shadows can make us jump from our seats and hug someone close. A hallway suddenly going dark can yank the hairs up on the back of your neck faster than a creepy howl ever could.
The really interesting thing is how stories (which by their very nature are harmless to the audience) can generate such intense emotions by throwing darkness around. Mysteries, horror, drama, fantasy, science fiction, even romance, all use the lack of light in some way or another. We all know darkness, the feel and smell of it, and how it affects things and us. We spend a lot of time without light, slumbering behind closed eyelids. I think that's why stories can use it effectively, because we understand it.
I've heard many people philosophizing about darkness and light, and the purposes of both. That's all well and good, but the truth is that darkness scares us. Maybe with reason, maybe with none. It covers and hides, shudders away whatever is inside. It's the closed box with an unlocked lid. What's inside? Is it bad? Is it good? Should I look? Should I leave it alone? The only way to find out is either turn on a light, or step inside. Do you really want to know?
Amazingly creepy.
- M
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