This week our class explored the use of Witches in the horror genre. In general, witches can be depicted in many aspects ranging from monstrous and dark, weird or even cute. But I believe it all stems from one of men’s fears, which is women in power. Recently, I have read the five chapters of Redlands by Jordie Bellaire which shows one of the many different tropes of the horror theme of a witch.
Back in the day, men usually looked at women as being submissive and not in control. And those feared women who were not fit in that description. Many would call them “witches”, being evil and doing savage actions.
In the Redlands it conveyed witches as dark and mature. They portrayed the three main characters (Bridget, Alice, and Ro) in a group of three, which apparently is an intimidating trope that many witch mediums use. A group of powerful women, attacking and authorizing the environment is frightening to the audience. The authors intensify this by showing a beastly nature like brutally killing people and the use of blood and fire.
Another aspect I saw in the graphic novel and some media discussed in class was the witches’, or women's power of attraction. Redlands abuses this by showing nudity of female characters, and also affectionate scenes like sex. Men could become subservient to the witch because of this. Other media that relate to this, can sometimes include the use of the human body, bondage, seduction, etc.
In summary, the fear of witches stemmed on the misconstrued belief of how women should be submissive or weak..then going against that concept. Today, our generation has become more diverse and values becoming more radical. Yet, the subconscious fear of death and ideals of the past can affect anxieties.
I also read Redlands, and enjoyed it a lot. Not only the story line, but the interesting visual style that goes along with it keeps you turning the pages really easily. I like how you mention how men usually would look as women as submissive stereotypes, but that this series portrays them as powerful and frankly badass. It takes some of these predetermined ideas and turns them on their head, showing ways in which women (in this case witches) can be just as powerful and even more powerful than their evil male counterparts in the story.
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