WEEK TEN (ethan)

How does Buffy deconstruct traditional literary notions of good and evil?

In the cult TV show ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘the notions of good and evil is very vague as many of the characters in Buffy are filled with moral ambiguity. “Evil” is often less fixed… with many characters demonstrating both decent and demonic traits and behaviors” where as characters that are classes as “Good” may develop in frighteningly sinister ways: villainous ones may surprisingly reveal complex and even selfless motivations” (Braun, 2000). For example the character Angel is both good and evil in the sense that he has the traits of being a good and righteous person as he often saves Buffy from trouble; however he is still a vicious vampire and very much evil as shown once he breaks his curse after having sex with Buffy. After this encounter Angel starts “emotionally torturing Buffy and preying on her friends” (Braun, 2000). Later in the seasons Angelus was once again transformed, but now back into the “good” Angel after Buffy reverses the curse that turned him “evil”.

This example shows that the line between “good” and “evil” is very fine as characters are constantly crossing between the two opposites. The theme of “Good” vs “Evil” is very common in many other TV shows; however Buffy created it more complex with characters switching between the two sides differentiating it from the traditional “Good” vs “Evil” themes.