The Good Monster? The Portrayal of the Monster in Patrick Ness' 'A Monster Calls'

Seminar paper from the year 2022 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 2,7, University of Siegen (Fakultät 1), course: Intermedialität Anglistik/Amerikanistik, language: English, abstract: In this term paper, I will analyse what the yew tree monster in Patrick Ness' novel 'A Monster Calls' symbolizes and how it is portrayed. In order to examine the role of the monster, I will present some theoretical approaches to the topics of monstrosity and teratology and define what is considered monstrous in the second chapter following this introductory first chapter. In this context, I will take a specific look at the role of monsters in children's literature and their interaction with child protagonists. Afterwards, in the third chapter, I will analyse in particular the meaning and function of the yew tree monster in the novel 'A Monster Calls' by Patrick Ness, published in 2011. Although the creature's monstrosity is a core element of the story, the monster fulfils a role besides creating plain horror and fear. In addition to that, the last chapter will deal with the role of the illustrations within the novel and their effects. Finally, I will summarize the results of my analysis in a short conclusion about the symbolism and the way of portrayal of the yew tree monster in Ness' novel.