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The Anatomy of the Zombie

The Anatomy of the Zombie. The structure of the Zombie Genre and its cultural significance By: Ryan McBrearty Warning! May contain content unsuitable for some viewers. Contents:. A Brief History of Zombies The Zombie in Modern Culture How the Modern Zombie Fits

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The Anatomy of the Zombie

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  1. The Anatomy of the Zombie The structure of the Zombie Genre and its cultural significance By: Ryan McBrearty Warning! May contain content unsuitable for some viewers

  2. Contents: • A Brief History of Zombies • The Zombie in Modern Culture • How the Modern Zombie Fits • Archetypal Elements of the Zombie Genre • “Dawn of the Dead” 2004 • “Shaun of the Dead” 2004 • “Dead Rising” 2006 • Conclusion

  3. A Brief History of Zombies • Word Etymology • Multiple possible origins • Entered English from Haitian Creole • Zonbi • Appearances in Literature and Mythology • Epic of Gilgamesh • Biblical Rising of the Dead • French Reverent • Norse Draugr

  4. A Brief History of Zombies (Cont.) • Haitian Voodoo Zombie • Raised undead slave • “White Zombie” 1935 • Oscar Romero • “Night of the Living Dead”

  5. The Zombie in Modern Culture • Movies • Books • Video Games • Board Games • Music Videos • Halloween Attractions • Pornography

  6. How Zombies fit into Modern Culture • Fit into other media Genres • Social Satire • Consumerism • Greed • Gluttony • Reliance on media • Reliance on medicine • Consequences of Contemporary Issues • Bioengineering • Nuclear war • Perversion of Religion • Reflection of society

  7. Archetypal Elements of the Modern Zombie Genre • Zombies • Plot Structure • “The Outbreak” • “The ‘Safer’ Haven” • “The Quest” • Character Archetypes • “The Unlikely Hero” • Others • “Dawn of the Dead” • “Shaun of the Dead” • “Dead Rising”

  8. Zombies • Standard characteristics • Undead Cannibals • Possess only human abilities • Move in packs • Lack intelligence • Do not eat other Zombies • Need to remove the head or destroy the brain • Common People • Not abstract monster

  9. Plot Structure: “The Outbreak” • Begin with life as normal • Warning signs ignored • Collapse of Society • Survivors left to fend

  10. Plot Structure: “The ‘Safer’ Haven” • Survivors find refuge • Mall • Bar • Deal with complications • Lack of supplies • Infection • Stress • Boredom • Eventually…

  11. Plot Structure: “The Quest” • Survivors must leave • Somewhere safer? • Best laid plans are dangerous

  12. Character Archetype: “The Unlikely Hero” • Protagonist becomes unexpected hero • Anna • Frank • Shaun • Saves self- helps others

  13. Other Character Archetypes • “The Jerk” • Conflict starter • “The Needy” • People who need to be rescued/ helped • “The Psychopath” • Snaps under stress • “The Loveable Loser” • Outbreak gives a fresh start

  14. Conclusion • Recap • A Brief History of Zombies • The Zombie in Modern Culture • How the Modern Zombie Fits • Archetypal Elements of the Zombie Genre • “Dawn of the Dead” 2004 • “Shaun of the Dead” 2004 • “Dead Rising” 2006

  15. References http://www.allthingszombie.com/ http://consc.net/zombies.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie

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