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This week on “Paranormal Pajama Party”, we’re kicking off a two-part series on the fascinating and often unsettling “monster girl” trope. These characters are more than just staples of horror media and anime; they are complex symbols that reveal deep-seated societal fears and fantasies about women.

Monster girls have long embodied dual roles as both objects of desire and figures of dread, reflecting and reinforcing patriarchal views about femininity and power.

In today’s episode, we’ll examine the origins of this trope, tracing it all the way back to ancient Greek mythology. These myths established and perpetuated the image of women as monstrous beings, embodying chaos and nature that needed to be tamed by heroic men.

From the snake-haired Medusa to the deadly Sirens, Greek mythology is rife with examples of women who were both alluring and terrifying.

These ancient myths have left a lasting impact, shaping everything from social structures to medical care to presidential elections.

Also, I have a bone to pick about She-Hulk.

Key moments

• 0:00 – Content warning
• 1:05 – The Lernaean Hydra
• 7:15 – The monster girl trope
• 10:08 – Zeus and the monster girls
• 15:39 – Men as the "default human"
• 19:52 – Famous monster girls

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View all my sources for each episode and read the episode transcript here.

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