First of all there will be a general overview of the myth of American exceptionalism. To properly analyze the show then and prove that it is not just another narrative that glorifies American exceptionalism and its perpetuation, but actually depicts a stance which stands in stark contrast to this myth, some of the exposed key elements from the myth of American exceptionalism will be taken and juxtaposed in opposition to some significant scenes from the television series.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
A. The Myth of American Exceptionalism
B. Anti-Exceptionalism in "The Walking Dead"
1 Symbols
2 Western
3 Higher Law
4 Frontier Thesis
II. Conclusion
III. Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to critically examine the AMC television series "The Walking Dead" through the lens of American exceptionalism, arguing that the show presents an "anti-exceptionalist" perspective that contradicts traditional American national myths. The study evaluates how the series deconstructs core ideological concepts such as the American flag, the Western genre, divine guidance, and the frontier myth within a post-apocalyptic narrative.
- Deconstruction of American national symbols and their usage in the series.
- Application of the "Western" genre framework to analyze the show's narrative structure.
- Examination of religious tropes and the concept of "Higher Law" in a godforsaken world.
- Critical analysis of the "Frontier Thesis" in the context of the constant survival and flight scenarios in the series.
Excerpt from the Book
3 Higher Law
As previously stated, what is also striking in the myth of American exceptionalism are the references to God, a higher law and other theological assumptions, as mentioned in the previous chapter. In "The Walking Dead" you can also find references of that kind. Even though they go into a different direction.
In the very first episode of the series Rick Grimes is in search of his wife and son. As he is driving down the road he sees a house which he presumes to be abandoned at first. He looks into a window from outside and discovers two dead bodies on the floor. Both got shot in the head and due to a rifle in one person's hand and a message on the wall it is obvious that they committed suicide (cf. Kirkman, "Days Gone Bye"). The message on the wall reads "God forgive us". In the sixth episode of first season, after the group had to leave the 'Center for Disease Control and Prevention' (CDC) in order to survive, Rick talks to a guy still mission in action via radio. He says: "Our group's smaller now. We lost another. Day before last. It was her choice. I wouldn't say I blame her. She lost faith." (Kirkman, "TS-19"). Both scenes show a very clear momentum of surrender. Here the utter hopelessness in the face of the outbreak very prominently raises a doubt about whether the group's operation is a journey ordained and guided by God or simply a dead-end mission that has nothing to do with the exceptionalist characteristics of divinity and chosenness.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the show's popularity and establishes the theoretical framework regarding American exceptionalism and its subversion in media.
A. The Myth of American Exceptionalism: This section defines the historical and cultural foundations of the myth of American exceptionalism, exploring its connection to identity, manifest destiny, and national icons.
B. Anti-Exceptionalism in "The Walking Dead": This section serves as the analytical core, contrasting the show's events with established American ideologies across four specific themes.
1 Symbols: This section analyzes the depiction of the American flag in the series as a symbol of despair rather than the traditional exceptionalist promise of freedom and progress.
2 Western: This section evaluates how the series utilizes and ultimately subverts the tropes of the Western genre, arguing that the group's journey lacks the classic "democratic leveling" and territorial conquest associated with the genre.
3 Higher Law: This section examines the absence of divine protection in the show's universe, highlighting how the characters struggle in a "godforsaken" world.
4 Frontier Thesis: This section discusses how the characters' constant state of flight and survival contradicts the progress-oriented vision of Frederick Jackson Turner's frontier thesis.
II. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, asserting that "The Walking Dead" acts as an anti-exceptionalist text that challenges the audience to look beyond American-centric narratives.
III. Bibliography: This chapter lists the academic and media sources utilized throughout the research.
Keywords
The Walking Dead, American exceptionalism, anti-exceptionalism, zombie apocalypse, American cultural studies, frontier thesis, manifest destiny, Western genre, national identity, cultural discourse, Rick Grimes, American symbols.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the television series "The Walking Dead" to determine if it upholds or subverts the ideology of American exceptionalism.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The primary themes include the analysis of national symbols, the subversion of the Western genre, the role of divine intervention or "Higher Law," and the critical assessment of the "Frontier Thesis."
What is the ultimate research question?
The study investigates whether the series should be read as an anti-exceptionalist text that rejects the glorification of American exceptionalist values.
Which methodology is applied?
The author uses a cultural studies approach, juxtaposing specific key concepts of American exceptionalism with analytical observations of scenes from the first two seasons of the show.
What is the scope of the analytical part of the paper?
The main part analyzes how characters in "The Walking Dead" experience survival in a way that directly contradicts historical American myths of progress and mission.
Which keywords summarize this work?
Key terms include American exceptionalism, anti-exceptionalism, frontier thesis, cultural identity, and the Western genre.
How does the author interpret the American flag in the show?
The author argues that the flag is consistently depicted in settings of death and despair, serving as a metaphor for the breakdown of the American dream.
What does the "Frontier Thesis" comparison reveal about the show?
It reveals that while the American frontier traditionally symbolized development and progress, the "frontier" in this series is merely a space of constant flight and survival.
How is the concept of "Higher Law" presented in the narrative?
The series depicts a world where religious institutions are infected and characters lose faith, suggesting the world is godforsaken rather than guided by a divine, exceptional mission.
- Quote paper
- Matthias Köbrich (Author), 2012, Anti-Exceptionalism in "The Walking Dead", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/231867
