J. M. Richardson, J. Douglas Rabb

791.4302/33092 B

22

Trade Paperback

0786427817

9780786427819

Yes

Scholarly & Professional

0.4 in

9 in

10.3 Oz

6 in

PN1992.4.W49R53 2007

2006-034777

English

204 Pages

1 vol.

Existential Joss Whedon : Evil and Human Freedom in Buffy the Vampire Slayer , Angel , Firefly and Serenity

2006

Mcfarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers

Television / General

Performing Arts

This study examines the major works of contemporary American television and film screenwriter Joss Whedon. The authors argue that these works are part of an existentialist tradition that stretches back from the French atheistic existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre, through the Danish Christian existentialist Soren Kierkegaard, to the Russian novelist and existentialist Fyodor Dostoevsky. Whedon and Dostoevsky, for example, seem preoccupied with the problem of evil and human freedom. Both argue that in each and every one of us "a demon lies hidden." Whedon personifies these demons and has them wandering about and causing havoc. Dostoevsky treats the subject only slightly more seriously. Chapters cover such topics as Russian existentialism and vampire slayage; moral choices; ethics; Faith and bad faith; constructing reality through existential choice; some limitations of science and technology; love and self-sacrifice; love, witchcraft, and vengeance; soul mates and moral responsibility; love and moral choice; forms of freedom; and Whedon as moral philosopher., This study examines the major works of contemporary American television and film screenwriter Joss Whedon. The authors argue that these works are part of an existentialist tradition that stretches back from the French atheistic existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre, through the Danish Christian existentialist S'ren Kierkegaard, to the Russian novelist and existentialist Fyodor Dostoevsky. Whedon and Dostoevsky, for example, seem preoccupied with the problem of evil and human freedom. Both argue that in each and every one of us ?a demon lies hidden.' Chapters cover such topics as Russian existentialism and vampire slayage; moral choices; ethics; Faith and bad faith; constructing reality through existential choice; some limitations of science and technology; love and self-sacrifice; love, witchcraft, and vengeance; soul mates and moral responsibility; love and moral choice; forms of freedom; and Whedon as moral philosopher., Examines the major works of contemporary American television and film screenwriter, Joss Whedon. This book includes chapters that cover topics such as Russian existentialism and vampire slayage; moral choices; ethics; faith and bad faith; constructing reality through existential choice; some limitations of science and technology; and more.

Table of Contents Introduction 1. Russian Existentialism and Vampire Slayage: A Shestovian Key to the Power and Popularity of Buffy the Vampire Slayer 2. Moral Choice in Buffy, Angel and Firefly : Ethics in the Whedonverse 3. Buffy, Faith and Bad Faith: Choosing to Be the Chosen One 4. Slayer Authenticity: Constructing Reality Through Existential Choice 5. Riley and the Initiative: Some Limitations of Science and Technology 6. Darla, Spike, and Xander: Love and Self-Sacrifice 7. Willow and Tara: Love, Witchcraft, and Vengeance 8. Angel and Spike: Soul Mates and Moral Responsibility 9. Angel in Hell: Love and Moral Choice 10. Firefly and Serenity : Two Forms of Freedom 11. Myth, Metaphor, and Morality: Joss Whedon as Moral Philosopher Bibliography Index

The

Textbook

Mcfarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers

9780786427819