Monsters in older times were stand-ins for what the people of the time were afraid of. However, the modern monster is more likely to be used as a metaphor for traits that are seen as unacceptable in modern society. Therefore, I believe that the modern monster is the embodiment of the poor choices that people make and the intolerant beliefs they hold. Unlike the Victorian era where you could pinpoint the monster to have specific traits (fangs, bloodlust, etc.), I feel a 21st century monster is more likely to have a culmination of the traits that we as a society have deemed unacceptable. One example of a modern monster is a highschool bully. Their goal is to torment other students and just generally create a hostile environment for other students who are trying to learn. However, the most interesting thing about the modern monster (in my opinion) is the ability to change. As Cohen explains, to be rid of monsters you have to kill it, “drive a stake through its heart…” or anxiously await its return, “…but the monster itself turns immaterial and vanishes, to reappear someplace else”. A bully or a person who holds controversial beliefs always has the opportunity to change, they become monstrous when they refuse to change. So, bigoted people who have multiple opportunities to be educated (Trump for example) can be considered modern monsters as they embody the traits we deem unacceptable and refuse to change. 

This modern monster is a subversion of the monster Cohen explains as he highlights how race was actually used as a trait to create monsters thus vilifying people of color in his fourth thesis. This thesis titled, “The Monster Always Dwells at the Gates of Difference” highlights how differences amongst humans were seen as scary and therefore used to create monsters. Old monsters were used as vehicles to demonize those that were marginalized such as people with AIDS, disabilities, and people of color. Their differences were highlighted to examine how it interrupts what was seen as the norm (white, straight, cis, able-bodied). However, modern monsters are actually the people who hold these beliefs as we have moved towards a more enlightened society that tends to accept people for their differences instead of demonizing them. I used this thesis because I feel like modern times has truly subverted what Cohen originally correctly identified monsters to be by villainizing those who refuse to accept differences and otherness. 

Monsters have been the reflection of what was seen as disruptive to the status quo by serving as an allegory for the differences that are present in human beings. Thanks to the natural progression of society and changes in social/political beliefs to be more progressive, modern monsters are people who cannot and do not want to adapt to the changes that society has made. The people who hold these beliefs are only considered monstrous when they continue to uphold their beliefs that exclude people who are different from them. Unlike what Cohen proposes, modern monsters have the opportunity to change if they enlighten themselves and accept their wrongdoings.