Analysing the zombie culture, past to present

CG Arts & Animation Time Machine Essay (2012) UCA Rochester

David John Vandepeer (Stitch)

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INTRODUCTION
This essay is an analysis of the zombie culture to establish its origin & how that projection has changed from past to present. This study will particularly focus on George A. Romeros Night of the living dead (1968) & Frank Darabonts The Walking Dead (2010), two forms of media which contrast the era of their cultures clearly showing their potency in past & present media. This essay will begin by establishing the zombies origin from its ties to Greek Mythology using material from Carol Doughertys book Prometheus (2006). This study will briefly move on to establish Mary Shelleys fictional novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus to provide further context into forbidden science & the un-dead origin. Evidence for this topic will be informed from Christa Knellwolfs book Frankenstein's science: experimentation and discovery in Romantic culture, 1780-1830 (2008). Having identified the un-dead origin this study will continue to identify George A. Romeros cult classic Night of the living dead (1968) to distinguish its culture pertaining particularly to American capitalism & the civil rights movement. Evidence for this will be provided from the Talking Pictures website by author Steven Russell on his analysis entitled The Development of Racism within Night of the Living Dead and Jackie Brown (1991). This study will then establish Frank Darabonts The Walking Dead (2010) to contrast its culture of morality & isolated depression. A narrative inspired by Viktor Frankl's concentration camp tale entitled Man's Search for Meaning (1946). Evidence for this topic will be provided via an article by Atlantic contributor Scott Meslow entitled The Post-Apocalyptic Morality of the Walking Dead (2012). To conclude this essay will contrast the sentimental post apocalyptic themes of Night of the living dead & the Walking Dead paying particular attention to mankinds cultural need to believe in a higher power when in a predicament. This will be supported by Amos Nur & Dawn Burgesss book Apocalypse: earthquakes, archaeology, and the wrath of God (2008).

KEY IDEAS
On the topic of Prometheus who stole fire from Zeus & gave it to mortals Throughout the centuries since the Prometheus myth first captured the popular imagination, the fire that he steals for mortals has come to represent the spirit of technology, forbidden knowledge, the conscious intellect, political power, and artistic inspiration. As a god whose name means forethought, Prometheus signals mortals repeated attempts to overcome the limitations of their knowledge about the future... (Dougherty, 2006: 02) On the topic of Science - Forbidden Knowledge (i.e. Frankenstein) Man has been held out as independent of his power who made him, or as a lawless planet darting from its orbit to steal the celestial fire of reason; and the vengeance of Heaven lurking in the subtle flame, like Pandoras pent up mischiefs, sufficiently punished his temerity, by introducing evil into the world. Shelley made a man rather than a woman responsible for the consequences of human presumption. Initially Frankenstein succeeds in usurping the female gift of procreation, but his audacity unleashes a new Reign of Terror across the earth when he unclasps Pandoras Box of evil consequences. (Knellwolf, 2008: 28) On the topic of Night of the living dead & Racism (Capitalism & Civil rights) Despite the fact that Ben is the only member of the house that survives the night and in spite of his success against white zombies, he is killed quickly and cleanly by the living white, the zombie lynch mob, as he emerges into daylight. We see the uprising instigated by Ben against the mass of white zombies to be supported by incompetent, selfish and stupid white characters and doomed to failure. Despite Ben being brave and intelligent, he is ultimately subdued and killed by the living white that we see represents not only rigidity but death' and against whom Ben stands no chance of survival. (Russell: 1991) On the topic of the Walking Dead & Depression (Morality & Dehumanization) It's a real-life version of the despairing process that's beginning to happen to the protagonists on The Walking Dead, who have begun to confront how best to survive in a world of utter hopelessness. For the dearly departed, becoming a zombie is dehumanization in the most literal sense of the word. But The Walking Dead's subtler; more insidious dehumanization is what's happening to the still-human survivors. (Meslow: 2012) On the topic of Religion in a Crisis (Apocalyptic/Sin/Forgiveness) There were so many people killed in the collapsed churches that many believed the punishment of God was upon them. They appealed to their religious establishment and the religious fringe was widely varied. Some said that God was appalled by the wickedness of the people of Lisbon and was punishing them for everything from materialism to idolatry. Another response was that god was angry with the world in general, and that the people of Lisbon had been singled out as a warning, not because they were particularly wicked but because God especially loved them and was concerned that they repent for the sake of their souls. (Nur & Burgess, 2008: 253)

CULTURAL CONTEXT
Mary Shelley Prometheus (Greek for Forethinker) The theme of the living dead dates back to a Novel written by Mary Shelley entitled Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus in which a scientist takes his curiosity too far and reanimates a corpse which uses its strength to terrorise Dr. Frankenstein and his town. The novel personifies the advancement of science as an inherent evil for the uneducated, blissfully blind to the ramifications of forbidden knowledge. Mans ability to procreate is also a signifier of Shelleys early distaste for the dominance of man; it is quite possible that the statement she was trying to make was to say that any child man brings into this world alone will be without compassion without a mothers love, for it is in mans nature to destroy themselves. Shelley was a feminist in her early years (for which she was 19 when having written Frankenstein), science was a field that women were exempt from, from that it is quite fair to say that most women were not aware of what ungodly atrocities happened in scientific pursuits, Shelly was curious. Having studied the god Prometheus Shelley isolated his gifts to man advancing their wealth of knowledge unearned, but through her distaste of male and female rights felt the need to curse the riches to which she was not obliged & rightly so. This is not to say that Shelley despised man, one could argue that she just did not understand what man got to do in a lab & why women were exempt from knowing it. This is possibly why the idea of a monster felt fundamental, through playing god. As much is told in the story of Prometheus who stole fire and gave it to man, only to be punished for disobeying Zeus.

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KEY INDIVIDUALS
Mary Shelley (1797 - 1851) Figure 3 Her mother Percy Shelley died when Mary was 11 days old, her father (& Philosopher) William Godwin gave Mary a charmed education. Mary was the Author of the original Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus novel which is highly acclaimed being the first true science fiction story. James Whale (1889 - 1957) Figure 4

Was a soldier in the First World War, he was captured by the Germans as a prisoner of war which is where he established his love for drama. James directed the original 1931 film Frankenstein which established the iconic visual look & demeanour of Frankensteins monster. Boris Karloff (1887 - 1969) Figure 5

The youngest of nine children, English originally a stage actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Frankenstein in: Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935) & Son of Frankenstein (1939). He had to sleep between two books not to ruin his makeup for shooting his character Frankenstein. George A. Romero (1940 - present) Figure 6

Born in New York City, he began his career shooting short films & commercials. Directed cult classic Night of the living dead in 1968 & has since built his career on the zombie icon. He is nicknamed Godfather of all Zombies. Frank Darabont (1959 - present) Figure 7

Born in a refugee camp in 1959 became involved in film at 20, Directed the Shawshank redemption (1994) & co-wrote the 1994 rendition of Frankenstein for which he won a Saturn award for best writing. In 2010 he wrote and directed the pilot for AMCs hit post apocalyptic drama The Walking Dead.

HISTORICAL EXAMPLES OF ZOMBIE CULTURE

PROMETHEUS FRANKENSTEINS MONSTER THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

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Champion of mankind, he stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals. Zeus then punished him for his crime by having him bound to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver every day only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day.

A scientific monster created by man theoretically using the unearned power given to them by Prometheus. Frankensteins monster is the embodiment of the uncultured scientist treading into realms where one has no place being.

Night of the living dead was created in a time of racial prejudice. Mob mentality was introduced having been identified in the original Frankenstein. The undead Zombie became an uneducated flesh starved replacement for Frankensteins monster.

CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES OF ZOMBIE CULTURE

RESIDENT EVIL 28 Days Later THE WALKING DEAD

Figure 13 Figure 11 Figure 12

A game created by games developer Capcom in 1996 saw the grizzly return of horror with uneducated flesh starved monsters and other undead incarnations (flesh eating birds being directly related to Prometheus). Has sold 46 million units worldwide as of 09/2011

A 2002 British horror film set in an almost isolated London. The outbreak is the result of a contagion that was seemingly released during central character Jims coma. The film saw great success gaining $82.7 million worldwide.

A television show inspired by a comic book series of the same name. The show would see the conflict of characters as they try to survive throughout a world of apocalypse. The show saw a great success gaining a record of 7.3 million viewers at the season 2 premiere.

HISTORICAL & CONTEMPORARY COMPARISON

While it is an understatement to say that the genre has climbed far beyond the traditions felt throughout, the zombies culture has still been adopted and continues to be. Let us consider the civil rights movement mob mentality which one could argue inspired the zombies need to attack in groups, it could be accurate to suggest that crows eating people is modern medias way of trying to identify the origin of Prometheus. Let us establish their relationship to Frankensteins monster, in some cases slow but most defiantly powerful, strong enough to rip skin from bone in nothing more than a grab. Even Frankensteins monsters primal need to hurt can be compared to the zombies primal need to feed. With the above considered it is fair to say that zombies have evolved as much as they have kept their original conventions. Let us consider Frankensteins monsters movement to that of the zombies in 28 days later, zombies who look human but run like crazy possessed demons. The zombies conventions can twist and turn but at the heart they are the same idea, as much can be identified in the walking dead with zombies ruling and attacking in groups a psychotic form of mob mentality. The bottom line is zombies were & still are a popular form of entertainment which can now adhere to numerous sub genres of the original survival premise.

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CONCLUSION
The origin of the zombie culture was the story of Prometheus who was tortured for his attempt to play god. Mankind would continue to desire further knowledge and expand into the field of science. Mankind would create a monster (Embodied as Frankensteins Monster) to become god of creation & birth a pure motherless offspring. Mans monster would attempt to destroy him (Harking to Mans nature to destroy himself). Man would be dead only to return as a monster themselves (the embodiment of sin unholy), eternal punishment for playing god. Man would then turn on his family & his familys family to make them monsters also (zombie infection/contagion). The plague of sin would spread (in Mass mobs) & pollute the world through mans uneducated knowledge of science. Man successfully destroys life & replaces it with death.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Carol, Dougherty. (2006) Prometheus, Taylor & Francis Group, 1st Edition (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Christa, Knellwolf. (2008) Frankenstein's science: experimentation and discovery in Romantic culture, 1780-1830, Ashgate Publishing Limited, 3rd Edition (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Russell, Steven. (1991) the Development of Racism within Night of the Living Dead and Jackie Brown. At: http://www.talkingpix.co.uk/ArticleNightoflivingdead.html (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Meslow, Scott. (2012) The Post-Apocalyptic Morality of 'The Walking Dead'. At: http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/03/the-post-apocalyptic-morality-of-thewalking-dead/253986/ (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Nur, Amos & Burgess, Dawn (2008) Apocalypse: earthquakes, archaeology, and the wrath of God, Princeton University Press, 3rd Edition (Accessed on: 13/03/12)

ILLUSTRATION LIST
Figure 1. Zombie Charcoal by Jordan Gyoury. (com) [Online image]. At: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Tiv-9ASGXQ8/TLhBeZnSUOI/AAAAAAAAAUo/ncykJ_CCEYM/s1600/zombie2.jpg (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Figure 2. The Monster created by Frankenstein. (com) [Online image]. At: http://www.frankensteinshop.com/images/Frankenstein%201831%20edition.jpg (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Figure 3. Author Mary Shelley. (com) [Online image]. At: http://www.english-e-corner.com/britishliterature/contents/workshop1/Shelley.jpg (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Figure 4. Director James Whale. (com) [Online image]. At: http://theronneel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/James-Whale.jpg (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Figure 5. Actor Boris Karloff. (com) [Online image]. At: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/Frankenstein's_monster_(Boris_Karloff).jpg/220pxFrankenstein's_monster_(Boris_Karloff).jpg (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Figure 6. George A Romero. (com) [Online image]. At: http://www.thatfilmguy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/George-A.-Romero.jpg (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Figure 7. Frank Darabont. (com) [Online image]. At: http://theflickcast.com/wp-content/uploads//Frank_Darabont_1.jpg (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Figure 8. Greek Myth Prometheus. (com) [Online image]. At: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Koeln_wrm_1044.jpg/200px-Koeln_wrm_1044.jpg (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Figure 9. Frankensteins Monster. (com) [Online image]. At: http://static.wix.com/media/11b70d3fc4bfb6d05a1c678b2bac7261.wix_mp (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Figure 10. Civil Rights Movement. (com) [Online image]. At: http://congresslink.org/civilrights/images/bg_left_index1.gif (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Figure 11. Resident Evil Undead Zombie. (com) [Online image]. At: http://congresslink.org/civilrights/images/bg_left_index1.gif (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Figure 12. 28 Days Later Zombie Comic. (com) [Online image]. At: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_39dWDkiIPSw/TNrPNLh8BXI/AAAAAAAACbA/k_TrG6-wV9A/s1600/28promo.jpg (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Figure 13. The Walking Dead Television show. (com) [Online image]. At: http://th06.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2011/061/b/9/the_walking_dead_by_malevolentnate-d3aqv6r.jpg (Accessed on: 13/03/12) Figure 14. The Walking Dead Mob Attack. (com) [Online image]. At: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Media/Pix/pictures/2010/11/5/1288984210314/The-Walking-Deadepisode--006.jpg (Accessed on: 13/03/12)