Lessons from Horror: The Rejection and Failures of Arête

Authors

Renato Econa, Woodbridge Senior High SchoolFollow

Abstract

Lessons from Horror explores the rhetorical term of arête in the context of horror and horror literature. Arête, the concept of excellence as used in ancient Greece, is defined and then applied to two horror novels in order to better understand how the path to moral excellence can be corrupted. The first novel, Carrie by Stephen King, warns of the influence and pressure of others to both accept and reject the path to excellence. The second novel, Sour Candy by Kealan Patrick Burke, explores the idea of fear of failure in arête, and the possibility of turning oneself into a monster.

Author Biography

Renato Econa is a rising senior at Woodbridge Senior High School, VA. He plans to pursue Arts & Humanities in college and beyond.

Recommended Citation

Econa, Renato (2021) "Lessons from Horror: The Rejection and Failures of Arête," Virginia English Journal: Vol. 71: Iss. 1, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.bridgewater.edu/vej/vol71/iss1/7