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Alondra Perez
Professor Greg McClure
Writing 39B
24 October 2015
Richard Matheson: I Am Legend
New York Times Bestseller, I am Legend, is written by award-winning author and
accredited screenwriter, Richard Matheson. The novel centers around the popularized notion of
the last man standing on earth, in response to a worldwide apocalyptic tribulation; in which the
protagonist, Robert Neville, finds himself surrounded and trapped by thirsty, blood-sucking
vampires. The novel details the sole immune survivor through his journey of research and
experimentation, to possibly curing the disease. The reader though, is given the impression that
the main character, unlike the unfortunate infected, is ironically the only one victimized in this
case, by societys deadly misfortune. As the novel progresses, the divergence between good and
evil slowly becomes highly ambiguous and less of an apparent conviction, as Neville is seen to
objectify and invasively disrespect the vampires; depicting them as nothing more than savage,
pitiless monstrosities. In respect to the establishment of Nevilles discriminatory actions,
Matheson is able to use I Am Legend, to further argue and convince the audience of societys
inevitable and reoccurring negation to accept the differences among races. Passages throughout
the novel, including the extensive use of metaphors, obscure tone, and invidious diction, further
hint and give the impression that Neville in reality is the true monster. The reoccurring theme of
hostility that is observed through Nevilles rejection to acknowledge his own violent crimes
against the other race, allows for Matheson to challenge the reader to criticize their own
discriminatory behavior. By exploring these assertions and applying the historical context of the

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novel, it is evident that Matheson intended to bring to light this societal issue that persists as a
relevant topic to this day.
In a world surrounded by monsters, Neville is observed as the biggest monster of them
all, with his antagonistic and undermining perception towards the infected; serving as a metaphor
to mirror the preconceived mentality of the racist community. Matheson says, His concept of
the society had become ironbound. It was almost impossible for him to believe that there were
others like him. And, after the first shock had diminished, all the dogma of his long years alone
had asserted itself (115). In Nevilles eyes, the vampires are despicable and impossible to be
considered human like him. Neville ignores the indisputable fact that all the vampires were at
one point, exactly like him. Nevilles negation to admit that they are helpless, contaminated
beings, allows Matheson to further establish the distinction and tension for the reader between
the two so-called races in the novel, as the play on words argues that it is impossible to classify
the two to belong in the same breed. Referring to the vampires as others, as well further allows
for the audience to pick up on Nevilles intolerance and lack of accordance with them. The
orderly tone the statement is written in, can serve as juxtaposition between Nevilles poise and
sophistication in comparison to the infected humans naivet. The distinction is clear through the
usage of a calm, voice of reason. It allows for the audience to pick up on the hinted imitation of
the unjust demeanor or faade society has when justifying their apprehension towards people of
color. Given the difference in superiority Matheson has established between Neville and the
vampires, it is unmistakably clear that his intention is to play on the very sensitive topic of racial
tension that has been rooted and implemented in American culture and history.
Applying Nevilles hostile actions in the historical lens or context, allows to illustrate the
discriminatory values Matheson attempts to exhibit through the text. Coincidentally enough, the

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injustices society faces with today and has faced for years, mirrors the degrading Neville so
instinctively practices. Neville justifies all his actions and violent crimes as necessary as,
Instead he had been forced to tug and cajole and argue and scold while she held backhed
been compelled to take her in the bedroom and lock her in (115). The use of the word
compelled delivers that same notion that the action was necessary, leaving him with no choice.
The use of the word compelled, serves as justification for the discrimination. Matheson cleverly
ignores the use of commas and repetitively uses the word and, to build the overall suspense
and tension that comes about when Neville comes into contact with another individual, more
specifically a woman. The tension keeps growing when Matheson fails to include any sign of
remorse, compassion, or kindness the moment Neville is seen to forcefully lock up the woman
like an animal. It is in seen that Nevilles nature is to act quick, instinctively, and with no
conscience. The predatory tone that is present, frames the conclusion for the reader, that Neville
is indeed the true monster.
Nevilles inability to have the least amount of sympathy when coming into contact with
what could be the only hope for survival and mankind, is fundamental to this overall conclusion.
It is possible to believe that Matheson intentionally included the vampires to challenge readers to
stray away from the obvious and really scrutinize the idea of who is the intended monster for the
purpose of realization. Subtly portraying and hinting the idea that Neville is the true monster,
further strengthens Mathesons claim that as society we tend to ignore and fail to realize how
humanly wrong and unjust as a whole we can be towards one another. We tend to ignore that that
disrespect is like any other monster in a novel or film. It is the same uncompassionate, and
threatening ethics and morals that put racist individuals at the same level of monsters.

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