It is difficult to imagine our world without monsters. Their hideous appearance and scary behavior became integrated in our lives and culture. No culture can live without monsters. Children at an early age fear monsters under their beds and adolescents fight against monsters in computer games. We read about them in fictional literature and see them in classic movies as well as new publications. Monsters have always played an important role in culture.
But what are monsters? How do they find their way into our society and where do they come from? Not only are they defined by their deterrent appearance but also by qualities ascribed by the culture they appear in (cf. Murgatroyd 2007, p. 2). The anthropologist Jeffrey Jerome Cohen deals with monsters and their role in society. In his work called “Monster Theory” he proposes a method of understanding cultures through the monsters they invent by giving seven theses explaining the monster´s characterizations (cf. Cohen, Jeffrey Jerome: Monster Culture (Seven Theses). In: Monster Theory. Reading Culture. Minneapolis 1996, p. 3f.). Cohen´s second thesis “The Monster Always Escapes” will be of special interest to us. Also referring to Cohen´s first thesis “The Monster´s Body Is A Cultural Body” we will examine how monsters are born into society and how they keep on living within the frames of cultural, political and social relations. Afterwards we will apply Cohen´s thesis to Richard Matheson´s “I Am Legend”, a Science Fiction and horror novel, which deals with monsters in form of vampires. In Matheson´s fictional work the protagonist Robert Neville, as the only human being, lives in a world of bloodthirsty vampires. Neville, trying to understand the germ which created the disease and to which he himself is immune, does scientific researches. He haunts the vampires and kills them, when ultimately he is captured by a pair of infected survivors. The novel is set in Los Angeles.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. "The Monster Always Escapes" – The return of the undead
- 3. Richard Matheson's I Am Legend
- 3.1 Reappearance of the monstrous
- 3.2 Racial issues and feminine sexuality
- 3.3 Shifting monstrosity
- 4. Francis Lawrence's film adaptation
- 4.1 Reappearance of the monstrous
- 4.2 Terrorism and religion
- 4.3 Shifting monstrosity
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the concept of monstrosity in Richard Matheson's novel "I Am Legend" and its 2007 film adaptation directed by Francis Lawrence, applying Jeffrey Jerome Cohen's "Monster Theory," specifically his thesis "The Monster Always Escapes." The analysis explores how the portrayal of monstrosity reflects the social, political, and cultural anxieties of their respective eras – postwar America and post-9/11 America. The study compares and contrasts the thematic elements and the shifting nature of monstrosity between the two versions.
- The concept of monstrosity as a reflection of societal fears and anxieties.
- The "escape" and reappearance of the monstrous across different cultural contexts.
- A comparative analysis of the portrayal of monstrosity in the novel and its film adaptation.
- The influence of social, political, and cultural factors on the representation of monsters.
- The role of racial issues and feminine sexuality in shaping the monstrous figure.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by establishing the pervasive presence of monsters in human culture and posing fundamental questions about their nature and origins. It introduces Jeffrey Jerome Cohen's "Monster Theory" and his thesis "The Monster Always Escapes" as the central framework for analyzing the representation of monsters in Richard Matheson's "I Am Legend" and its film adaptation. The chapter also briefly summarizes the plot of Matheson's novel and the 2007 film, highlighting the central role of the monstrous and its evolving nature. The introduction emphasizes the connection between monsters and their socio-cultural contexts, paving the way for a comparative analysis of the novel and film.
2. "The Monster Always Escapes" - The return of the undead: This chapter delves into Cohen's "Monster Theory," focusing on his thesis that the monstrous always escapes and reappears in different forms. It explores the historical evolution of monsters as reflections of cultural fears and anxieties, tracing their presence from ancient Greece and Rome to modern times. The chapter particularly emphasizes the concept of the monster as both material and immaterial – leaving behind evidence of its actions while remaining elusive and incomprehensible. This lays the groundwork for analyzing how the monstrous entities in "I Am Legend" and its film adaptation embody these characteristics and reflect the fears of their respective time periods.
3. Richard Matheson's I Am Legend: This chapter offers a detailed analysis of Matheson's novel, examining the reappearance of the monstrous within the narrative. It explores themes such as the shifting nature of monstrosity, racial issues, and feminine sexuality as they are portrayed within the story's context. The chapter explores how Neville's struggle against the vampires reflects the anxieties and uncertainties of the post-war American landscape. By analyzing these themes, the chapter provides a solid foundation for comparing and contrasting the novel with its film adaptation in subsequent chapters.
4. Francis Lawrence's film adaptation: This chapter focuses on the 2007 film adaptation, directed by Francis Lawrence. It examines the reappearance of the monstrous within the film's narrative, specifically focusing on how it differs from the novel's presentation. The chapter pays particular attention to the themes of terrorism and religion, prominent aspects of the post-9/11 cultural context. The analysis considers how the film transforms the representation of monstrosity in relation to the changed cultural landscape, contrasting this with Matheson’s novel.
Keywords
Monstrosity, "I Am Legend," Richard Matheson, Francis Lawrence, film adaptation, cultural anxieties, societal fears, Jeffrey Jerome Cohen, Monster Theory, Postwar America, Post-9/11 America, vampires, the Other, marginalization, terrorism, religion, racial issues, feminine sexuality.
Frequently Asked Questions: I Am Legend - A Comparative Analysis of Novel and Film
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the concept of monstrosity in Richard Matheson's novel "I Am Legend" and its 2007 film adaptation, using Jeffrey Jerome Cohen's "Monster Theory" as a framework. It explores how the portrayal of monstrosity reflects the social, political, and cultural anxieties of both the post-war and post-9/11 eras in America.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the concept of monstrosity as a reflection of societal fears, the "escape" and reappearance of the monstrous across different contexts, a comparative analysis of the novel and film's portrayal of monstrosity, the influence of social and cultural factors on monster representation, and the role of racial issues and feminine sexuality in shaping the monstrous figure.
What is Jeffrey Jerome Cohen's "Monster Theory" and its relevance to this paper?
Cohen's "Monster Theory," particularly his thesis "The Monster Always Escapes," provides the theoretical framework for understanding how monsters reappear in different forms reflecting cultural anxieties. The paper uses this theory to analyze the evolving nature of monstrosity in both the novel and the film.
How does the paper compare and contrast the novel and the film adaptation?
The paper offers a chapter-by-chapter comparison, analyzing how the concept of monstrosity is represented in each version. It highlights the similarities and differences in thematic elements and the shifting nature of the monstrous figure, considering the distinct socio-cultural contexts of their creation (post-war America for the novel and post-9/11 America for the film).
What specific themes are analyzed in Richard Matheson's novel?
The analysis of Matheson's novel explores the reappearance of the monstrous, the shifting nature of monstrosity, racial issues, and feminine sexuality within the context of post-war America. It examines how Neville's struggle against the vampires reflects the anxieties of that era.
What specific themes are analyzed in Francis Lawrence's film adaptation?
The analysis of the film adaptation focuses on the reappearance of the monstrous in the post-9/11 context, emphasizing themes of terrorism and religion. It examines how the film transforms the representation of monstrosity compared to the novel, reflecting the changed cultural landscape.
What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of each chapter: an introduction outlining the framework and summarizing the plot; a chapter on Cohen's "Monster Theory" and the return of the undead; a chapter analyzing Matheson's novel and its themes; and a chapter analyzing Lawrence's film adaptation and its themes.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: monstrosity, "I Am Legend," Richard Matheson, Francis Lawrence, film adaptation, cultural anxieties, societal fears, Jeffrey Jerome Cohen, Monster Theory, Postwar America, Post-9/11 America, vampires, the Other, marginalization, terrorism, religion, racial issues, feminine sexuality.
- Quote paper
- BA Kinga Gmiat (Author), 2013, Monstrosity in Matheson's "I Am Legend" and Lawrence's Film Adaptation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/230739
