Document Type
Honors Thesis
Major
History
Advisor(s)
Dr. Michael Grillo
Committee Members
Dr. Julie DellaMattera, Dr. Melissa Ladenheim
Graduation Year
May 2025
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
Every civilization has its monsters and cryptids, mostly those of myth and legend, but sometimes what society deems “monstrous” aren’t actually monsters at all. This creative thesis, titled Pulchrum Monstrum, the latin words for “beautiful monsters”, is a photographic examination of how queer people oftentimes find themselves sharing space in society’s eyes with monsters. Through self-portrait photography, the intent of this thesis is to create a digital book of selected photographs that best illustrate the complicated connections between society’s shifting views of monsters and how those views often affect queer people and culture. The accompanying disquisition examines the photographic and editing process, detailing the evolution of the thesis from the preliminary sketches and acquisition of equipment to the shooting process, and lastly the editing of photographs and the technological skills required.
Recommended Citation
Feeney, Edward, "Pulchrum Monstrum: Exploring the Connection Between the Queer Community and Monsters Through Self-Portrait Photography" (2025). Honors College. 910.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/910