How does Buffy deconstruct traditional literary notions of good and evil?
It is becoming increasingly common for modern television shows, especially those marketed as 'edgy' to the demographic of 20 to 35 year olds, to have an 'unambiguous morality' bent as a theme. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of this literary device; especially when shows 'jump on the bandwagon' to create controversy, and when a sudden change in motivation in characters appears to contradict all their past plot arc, but when done well, I think it can be quite amazing.
Braun (2000) talks of how Buffy subverts traditional views of good and evil by having characters, both 'good' and 'bad' make choices that are ambiguous or contradictory to their past. An example of this is in the storyline between Buffy and Angel (Angelus). Angel was a former demonic vampire who had his human soul restored to his body by a curse. Upon meeting Buffy, he vowed to fight demons with her, and he soon became a romantic interest. After they slept together for the first time, his soul reverted back to the demonic one it once was, and Buffy was forced into a position of agression torwards someone she had once loved. Buffy, over the course of a season, comes to terms with the fact that "her perfect lover also embodied great hostility and rage targeted toward her" (Braun, 2000). During the season, the characters of Buffy and Angel come to terms with both the love and accompaning rage that is inside of both of them. This plot device can be seen as symptomatic of an increasingly modern world which embraces shades of grey.
References
Braum, B. (2000) The X-files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The ambiguity of evil in supernatural representations. Retrieved 18 October, 2005 from: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0412/is_2_28/ai_64688900
Hi Sara,
ReplyDeleteI have chosen the same question as yours and read the very first article which is Rose (2002)’s ‘Of creatures and creators: Buffy does Frankenstein’ P.29-34. I feel like the reading material that you read is suitable for answering the question ;/ Can you read mine and let me know what you think? (mine is 'wk12_LoveKim_Cult TV2). Thanks in advance :)
So, in your reading from Braun, some characters in Buffy have both a ‘good’ and ‘evil’ mind. And Angel was a demonic vampire and turned to be good and then reverted back to a demon as his soul mixed with Buffy as a result of sleeping together? Anyway well written Sara.
Hay Sara, really good post. I think you outlined the point quite well. I think the way that Buffy depicts the complexity of good and evil in each character is really great because it reflects human nature. Each of us have the potential of being good and also being evil.
ReplyDeleteYour response in the first paragraph is great. How could you discuss your arguments with regards to the BtVS screenings in PGs?
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