Since prehistoric times humans have imagined monsters. Scholars have determined that all cultures produce fantastic creatures that inspire fear or dread. But why is this so? What purpose do they serve? Significantly, the etymology of the word itself provides clues: the English word “monster” comes from the Latin monstrum, which means to “reveal” or to “warn.” What do our monsters reveal to us? What do they warn us about? And what does it signify about our culture when these monsters change or evolve? Without question, the most popular monster of the past decade is the zombie—a creature whose most salient characteristic is a mindless and insatiable cannibalistic drive. Many scholars argue that the widespread fear of cannibalism emerges during periods when distinct cultures encounter each other for the first time—such as during exploration, colonialism, or warfare. This experience of otherness registers as a threat to cultural integrity and personal identity which, in turn, is projected upon the “Other”.

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