Human Behaviour in Atwood, King and Glaspell’s Literature Work

Human Behaviour in Atwood, King and Glaspell’s Literature Work

Margaret Atwood, Stephen King and Sussan Glaspell provide many important insights into human behaviours through their literature works “You Fit Into Me," "Why We Crave Horror Movies” and “Trifles”, respectively. Atwood's poem explores complexities of human relationships, particularly the entwining of love and pain. Stephen King, on the other hand in his essay delves into peculiar fascination humans have with the macabre. The human heart is a kind of dark forest, and King's works most often serve as a mirror that reflects all the shadows which many times often lie in wait within this forest. According to King, everyone harbors a certain degree of insanity within them, which can be safely expressed through the vicarious experience of horror films. Sussan Glaspell in her play uncovers complexities of human behaviour through themes such as gender roles, empathy and justice. This essay delves into how Atwood’s “You Fit Into Me," King's essay "Why We Crave Horror Movies” and Glaspell’s “Trifles” all comment on some features of human behavior. In many ways, this level of understanding is perhaps most definitive with regards to the thematic elements and messages that are to be found and read within the works of Atwood, King and Glaspell, providing insight into the way that human behavior is perhaps further integrated and displayed within society. 

Human relationships and how they are pursued is what Margaret Atwood's "You Fit Into Me" illustrates. It opens with a simile quite innocent: "You fit into me / like a hook into an eye," as though almost completing some sense. However, Atwood quickly disavows this first impression with the help of a brilliant simile: "A fish hook / An open eye." Such a juxtaposition of gentle and violent images reveals the double nature of intimate relations. Atwood further underscores through this compressed, pointed, and evocative imagery how harmony can change into pain, drawing examples from the delicate balance that normally marks human relationships. In a poignant manner, the poem reminds one of the potentials for close touches in our interactions and of hurting, pointing very clearly at the potential to hurt and portraying the dance with both love and pain. 

Stephen King's essay "Why We Crave Horror Movies" delves into the human fascination with the macabre. King makes an argument that the psychological nature of a person is somewhat paradoxical. On the one hand, a person is repelled and horrified by monstrously ugly and repulsive things, and on the other, he is irresistibly attracted to them. As a result, the task of any horror film is to provide the viewer with the opportunity to get on that very thin line between a flash of fear and revulsion and then the principle of catharsis will begin to work. King highlights that horror movies tap into primal instincts and ancient fears, resonating with audiences on a deeply ingrained level. Above all else, King argues, the horror comes out of our primordial urge to be exposed to the unknown and the evil that it brings in a safe and controlled environment. 

Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles” denotes several instances of human behaviour themes portrayed in the play like gender roles, empathy and understanding and justice and judgement. In the play, Glaspell criticizes the rigid norms imposed on women by society that portray them as confined to domestic spheres. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are used by her to critique these limitations. Through these characters, Glaspell depicts how their intelligence and intuition is often overlooked by their male counterparts. She notes how Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters participation in the murder scene investigation defies societal norms. Glaspell further uses the concept of empathy and understanding to addresses the question of justice. Indeed, the play points out that male characters rely on evidence in their attempts to convict Mrs. Wright. In contrast, women uncover the most significant and true evidence behind Mrs. Wright’s motivation. As revealed, it was not the murder of her husband, but her loneliness and oppression. By doing this comparison, Glaspell herself demonstrates the limitations of justice, based merely on evidence. Similarly, she also proves that empathy is essential if one should consider the reasons behind human behavior. Thus, we, as readers, are encouraged to resize our definition of justice as such, which truly considers all human experience. Thus, Glaspell’s play Trifles portrays this, criticizes the current state of societal norms, and inspires to reconsider and readjust some of our principles. 

As such, Atwood, Glaspell and King in their literary works offer insights on significant aspects of human behavior. Atwood’s “You Fit Into Me” showcases the complex dynamics of love and pain in relationships. She uncovers the dual nature of intimacy. King’s “Why We Crave Horror Movies” on the other hand demonstrates humanity's fascination with the macabre. According to King, horror movies provide a safe outlet for primal emotions. Glaspell’s "Trifles" criticizes societal norms, especially on gender roles and justice. She urges empathy and understanding in our judgments. Therefore, these works of literature demonstrate the multi-layers that human behavior and psychology have that is highly beneficial for entrepreneurship.