Zombies in Western Culture
Book Description
In an age where zombie narratives dominate screens and bookshelves, three scholars invite us to look deeper into what these undead figures reveal about our collective spiritual condition. Christopher Mastropietro, alongside John Vervaeke and Filip Miscevic, presents a profound examination of how zombies mirror the existential crisis facing modern Western civilization.
This thoughtful analysis explores how the zombie's defining characteristics—its mindless state, grotesque appearance, and rootless wandering—serve as unsettling reflections of contemporary society's struggles with meaning, connection, and belonging. The authors trace how these creatures represent a dark inversion of Christian resurrection themes, symbolizing a culture that has lost its spiritual compass and can no longer provide clear guidance for authentic living.
Central to their exploration is the concept of "domicide," the destruction of home and belonging that characterizes our modern predicament. Through compelling case studies, including the displacement of Indigenous communities and historical population upheavals, the book illuminates how the loss of sacred place and meaningful community creates the spiritual wasteland that zombies embody.
Drawing upon the apocalyptic imagery of the four horsemen, the authors frame contemporary cultural collapse in ways that help readers understand the deeper horror these fictional monsters represent. This interdisciplinary work offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand how popular culture reflects our deepest spiritual anxieties and the urgent need for renewed meaning in an increasingly disconnected world.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~3 hours)
📄 Length: 104 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Understand psychological principles
- ✓ Explore Cultural studies
- ✓ Explore Ojibwa Indians
- ✓ Explore Folklore & Mythology
- ✓ Explore Zombies dans la culture populaire
- ✓ Explore Aspect social
- ✓ Explore Social conditions
- ✓ Explore Society and social sciences Society and social sciences
