Villainy in western culture : historical archetypes of danger, disorder and death / M. Gregory Kendrick.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kendrick, M. Gregory, 1953- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Villains in popular culture.

Villains in mass media.

West (U.S.)--In popular culture.

West (U.S.).

Physical Description:

vii, 261 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, North Carolina : McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, [2016]

Summary:

"This book explores how western societies have used villains to sort insiders from outsiders and establish behavioral norms to support harmony and well-being. The author also discusses two related phenomena: the dramatic paring down of what is considered villainous in the West, and the proliferation of over-the-top villains in pop culture and mass media"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Drawing lines in the sand: the villain as "other"

"Red in tooth and claw": the villain as nature

Sybarites and savages : the villain as barbarian

Tyrants, traitors and tramps : the villain as agent of discord and disorder

"One who rules without law" : the villain as tyrant

"Et tu, brute?" : the villain as traitor

"Her arms are wicked and her legs are long" : the villain as femme fatale

The bad seed : the villain as pathology

Gangsters and grifters : the villain as sociopath

Rippers and rapists : the villain as psychopathic murderer

Epilogue: Marplots and madmen : the villain as metaphor.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780786498680

0786498684

OCLC:

933590602