History Main / StagesOfMonsterGrief

!!Examples:

* In 1990 Marvel Comics presented an ongoing story of Lifeform, a hideously mutated young man, through annual issues of ''ThePunisher,'' ''{{Daredevil}},'' ''Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk,'' and ''The SilverSurfer.'' George Prufrock was exposed to an artificial virus which quickly mutated him into a man-eating monster. After several battles, Prufrock learns of a scientist named Lamar Kwiat also suffering from the virus and tells Kwiat what is in store for him if he lives. In a combination of acceptance and driven to suicide, Kwiat agrees it would be for the best if Prufrock ate him. Prufrock does so. . . along with everyone else in the hospital.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

* On ''TheXFiles'' episode "Hungry" the MonsterOfTheWeek was a cannibal who viewed his compulsion to eat meat (i.e., human brains) as an addiction, and even went to Overeaters Anonymous. He bonded with another attendee, his downstairs neighbor... but eventually he ate her brain. Goes through 1-3.

* Subverted on ''TrueBlood'': Jessica's immediate reaction to finding out that she's a vampire is a little happy dance and a shout of joy. She doesn't start to think that she's a freak of nature until later.

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[[folder:WebComics]]

* On ''TheXFiles'' the MonsterOfTheWeek was a cannibal who viewed his compulsion to eat meat (i.e., human brains) as an addiction, and even went to Overeaters Anonymous. He bonded with another attendee, his downstairs neighbor... but eventually he ate her brain. Goes through 1-3.

The usual first stage is '''[[ZombieInfectee Denial]]''', the character pretends nothing is different, often harming himself and/or others when their HorrorHunger goes uncontrolled, they ignore their new WeaksauceWeakness, or their human mask slips. If they aren't '''DrivenToSuicide''' by taking a [[SuicideBySunlight sunlit stroll]], they reach '''[[VampireRefugee Defiance]]''', where they take out their anger at no longer being human out on the "[[HunterOfHisOwnKind things that made me this way!]]" This can get metaphorically messy if [[DarkIsNotEvil not all non-humans are evil]], leading to VanHelsingHateCrimes.

[[folder: Anime]]

Speaking of which, try to avoid the loonies who [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope jumped]] at the chance to '''[[TranshumanTreachery Betray]]''' humanity. These types think being a monster is an excuse to act like one. [-(Well yeah, we ''are'' monsters, but there's no need to be a ''monster'' about it.)-] Thankfully, these idiots tend to burn out pretty fast, what with ignoring the {{Masquerade}} and acting all {{Horror}} movie monster. ... but those that don't? Yeah, [[CompleteMonster watch out for those]]. I don't know why, but these bastards seem to actually [[TheDarkSide get stronger]] from all that [[KickTheDog puppy kicking]], though they usually [[EvilMakesYouMonstrous stop even looking remotely human]].

* In the [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic MLP: FIM]] fanfic [[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/36388/My-Roommate-is-a-Vampire "My Roommate is a Vampire"]] Octavia spends much of the second half of the story after being bitten by a [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent Lycan]] progressing through the stages. Fortunately her vampire marefriend is a member of Equestria's MonstersAnonymous and they help her get to Acceptance.

* In the [[WesternAnimationMyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic MLP: FIM]] fanfic [[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/36388/My-Roommate-is-a-Vampire "My Roommate is a Vampire"]] Octavia spends much of the second half of the story after being bitten by a [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent Lycan]] progressing through the stages. Fortunately her vampire marefriend is a member of Equestria's MonstersAnonymous and they help her get to Acceptance.

Speaking of whom, a few manage to hold on to their sense of morality and identity and reach '''[[IAmWhatIAm Acceptance]]'''. These characters range from FriendlyNeighborhoodVampires to {{Fully Embraced Fiend}}s. They don't deny what they are, or bear grudges against their fellows, but in making peace with their non-human nature they may have also distanced themselves from humanity, no longer viewing it as a group they belong to or should give equal consideration to. It is however possible they form a MonstersAnonymous group to try and live among humans peaceably.

Speaking of which, try and avoid the loonies who [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope jumped]] at the chance to '''[[TranshumanTreachery Betray]]''' humanity. These types think being a monster is an excuse to act like one. [-(Well yeah, we ''are'' monsters, but there's no need to be a ''monster'' about it)-] Thankfully, these idiots tend to burn out pretty fast, what with ignoring the {{Masquerade}} and acting all {{Horror}} movie monster. ... but those that don't? Yeah, [[CompleteMonster watch out for those]]. I don't know why, but these bastards seem to actually [[TheDarkSide get stronger]] from all that [[KickTheDog puppy kicking]], though they usually [[EvilMakesYouMonstrous stop even looking remotely human]].

* Hakkai, of 'Manga/{{Saiyuki}}'' is unfortunately unable to kill all those who made him this way, as killing them was the process that made him that way. He does almost turn to suicide, before being convinced otherwise. Then he goes into a stage of denial, when he turned down Sanzo's job in hope of living a peaceful life. His defiance stage is arguably when Banri attempts yokai solidarity and he shoots him down hard, putting forth his own opinion on the matter, and he only accepts his nature when he removes his limiters to save Gojyo. Note that since he killed a thousand demons while human, and has since only been forced to remove his limiters in much more dangerous circumstances, it wasn't that he needed to remove them to save Gojyo. It was an acceptance thing.

* One now deleted crossover of ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' and ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' featured Naruto, after death, being transformed into a Hollow. At first he attempted to communicate with other Hollows as though they were rational humans and learn what had happened to him and how to undo it(Denial). When it became clear a fellow Hollow planned to eat a human, he lashed out and killed the offending party before fleeing back to Hueco Mundo(Defiance). Faced with the reality of his situation, Naruto descended into a typical Hollow mindset within that world, killing other Hollows in a mindless rage(borderline-Betrayal). Finally, he regained his senses and chose to deny his base urges and seek companionship among shinigami(Acceptance).

* Michael goes through this in the ''Film/{{Underworld}}'' movies, completely disbelieving what he's seeing, forcing himself to eat normal food and then deciding ah screw it; living forever with KateBeckinsale, it could be a lot worse.

* ''Literature/DiarioDeUnZombi'' has Erico, who goes from denial to acceptance and finally to defiance. Notable since his version of acceptance is self centered apathy, while defiance meant reconnecting with humanity and defying his HorrorHunger to the last.

* On ''TheXFiles'' the MonsterOfTheWeek was a cannibal who viewed his compulsion to eat meat (i.e., human brains) as an addiction, and even went to Overeaters Anonymous. He bonded with another attendee, his downstairs neighbor...but eventually he ate her brain. Goes through 1-3.

The usual first stage is '''[[ZombieInfectee Denial]]''', the character pretends nothing is different, often harming himself and/or others when their HorrorHunger goes uncontrolled, they ignore their new WeaksauceWeakness, or their human mask slips. If they aren't '''DrivenToSuicide''', they reach '''[[VampireRefugee Defiance]]''', where they take out their anger at no longer being human out on the "[[HunterOfHisOwnKind things that made me this way!]]" This can get metaphorically messy if [[DarkIsNotEvil not all non-humans are evil]], leading to VanHelsingHateCrimes.

* Hakkai, of {{Saiyuki}} is unfortunately unable to kill all those who made him this way, as killing them was the process that made him that way. He does almost turn to suicide, before being convinced otherwise. Then he goes into a stage of denial, when he turned down Sanzo's job in hope of living a peaceful life. His defiance stage is arguably when Banri attempts yokai solidarity and he shoots him down hard, putting forth his own opinion on the matter, and he only accepts his nature when he removes his limiters to save Gojyo. Note that since he killed a thousand demons while human, and has since only been forced to remove his limiters in much more dangerous circumstances, it wasn't that he needed to remove them to save Gojyo. It was an acceptance thing.

* In[[FanFic/{{TheNotSoShortSecondLifeOfBreeTanner}} The (Not So) Short Second Life of Bree Tanner]] by Oy! Angelina, Bree struggles to adopt the Cullens' human-friendly diet and explores the emotional repercussions of living up to that decision, the temptation to abandon it and [[spoiler:some really compelling arguments by Alec on why the Cullens aren't role-models]].
* Many JakAndDaxter fanfics tend to focus on this, due to Jak's SuperPoweredEvilSide.

* One now deleted crossover of ''{{Naruto}}'' and ''{{Bleach}}'' featured Naruto, after death, being transformed into a Hollow. At first he attempted to communicate with other Hollows as though they were rational humans and learn what had happened to him and how to undo it(Denial). When it became clear a fellow Hollow planned to eat a human, he lashed out and killed the offending party before fleeing back to Hueco Mundo(Defiance). Faced with the reality of his situation, Naruto descended into a typical Hollow mindset within that world, killing other Hollows in a mindless rage(borderline-Betrayal). Finally, he regained his senses and chose to deny his base urges and seek companionship among shinigami(Acceptance).

* Because Seth Brundle's painful and humiliating metamorphosis into the titular creature of ''TheFly'' was a ''slow'' one, he transists from horror, denial, fascination with his newfound abilities and finally acceptance in its one month period. Somewhat subverted, however, in that he ''still'' wants to be human again.
* '''Mic'''hael goes through this in the ''Film/{{Underworld}}'' movies, completely disbelieving what he's seeing, forcing himself to eat normal food and then deciding ah screw it; living forever with KateBeckinsale, it could be a lot worse.

* Stage One perfectly played on TheVampireDiaries by [[spoiler: Caroline Forbes]] in Season two, episode two, "Brave New World."

* {{The Kingfisher}}: The young vampires in this comic are shown adjusting to their new unlife. Only one doesn't have moral issues, having been a killer in breathing days, but Nick the Cutter has other problems.

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* In 1990 Marvel Comics presented an ongoing story of Lifeform, a hideously mutated young man, through annual issues of ''ThePunisher,'' ''{{Daredevil}},'' ''Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk,'' and ''The SilverSurfer.'' George Prufrock was exposed to an artificial virus which quickly mutated him into a man-eating monster. After several battles, Prufrock learns of a scientist named Lamar Kwiat also suffering from the virus and tells Kwiat what is in store for him if he lives. In a combination of acceptance and driven to suicide, Kwiat agrees it would be for the best if Prufrock ate him. Prufrock does so. . . along with everyone else in the hospital.
[[/folder]]

* '''Mic'''hael goes through this in the ''{{Underworld}}'' movies, completely disbelieving what he's seeing, forcing himself to eat normal food and then deciding ah screw it; living forever with KateBeckinsale, it could be a lot worse.

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Compare [[SheepInWolfsClothing Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]], when a human who's been infected uses their "new allegiance" to betray the monsters in favor of their human friends.

Speaking of whom, a few manage to hold on to their sense of morality and identity and reach '''[[IAmWhatIAm Acceptance]]'''. These characters range from FriendlyNeighborhoodVampires to {{Fully Embraced Fiend}}s. They don't deny what they are, or bear grudges against their fellows, but in making peace with their non-human nature they may have also distanced themselves from humanity, no longer viewing it as a group they belong to or should give equal consideration to.

The usual first stage is '''[[ZombieInfectee Denial]]''', the character pretends nothing is different, often harming himself and/or others when their HorrorHunger goes uncontrolled, they ignore their new WeaksauceWeakness, or their human mask slips. If they aren't DrivenToSuicide, they reach '''[[VampireRefugee Defiance]]''', where they take out their anger at no longer being human out on the "[[HunterOfHisOwnKind things that made me this way!]]" This can get metaphorically messy if [[DarkIsNotEvil not all non-humans are evil]], leading to VanHelsingHateCrimes.

If they don't [[DrivenToSuicide take a walk]] in [[WeakenedByTheLight the sun]] or hide in the woods, they'll get angry. And I mean ''[[RoaringRampageOfRevenge really]]'' angry, [[IHateYouVampireDad cut out your sire's heart with a rusty wooden spoon]] and [[KillItWithFire burn his castle down]] angry. These '''[[VampireRefugee Defiant]]''' SOB's usually can't keep it in their pants, either; before long they'll [[HunterOfHisOwnKind start gunning for the rest of us]], as if dying once wasn't hard enough.

* Subverted on TrueBlood: Jessica's immediate reaction to finding out that she's a vampire is a little happy dance and a shout of joy. She doesn't start to think that she's a freak of nature until later.
* An episode of ''ForeverKnight'' featured a vampire girl with multiple personalities. In two of her three personalities she was so strongly Stage One that she could go out in the daylight. The third personality was Stage Four, of course.

* ''ChangelingTheLost'' uses this trope as a metaphor in the Courts. The courts represent everything from Acceptance, Denial and Defiance, while loyalists and Clarity Zero changelings have chosen Betrayal.

Which leads to potentially the most dangerous stage of Monster Grief... ''for humanity''. When the former human reaches '''[[TranshumanTreachery Betrayal]]''', they consider themselves [[MugglePower above base humanity]] and view it as toys, food, or insignificant specs. If they uphold a masquerade, it's only because humans have sheer numbers on their side and it's more fun to pull the strings from behind the curtain and prey on humanity from the shadows.

* ''BeingHuman'' has the title characters transition throught these stages as they attempt to stabilize in the Acceptance stage. No easy task for a setting on the mid to low levels of SlidingScaleOfVampireFriendliness. Horrifyingly, [[spoiler:Mitchell]] actually goes to the Betrayal stage in the season 2 finale.