Buffy the Vampire Slayer and ReligionRELI 2850

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

• Introduction to the Slayer

• Apocalyptic Literature

• Buffy as Christ-Figure

• Portrayals of the Supernatural

Introduction to the Slayer

Horror Film Formula

1. Killer

2. Victims

3. The Final Girl

4. The Male Gaze

5. Violence

Introduction to the Slayer

Joss Whedon writer/director of BtVS

• Wanted to reverse horror film conventions

• Subvert the idea of the little blonde girl that gets killed

• Created a film Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) and then a TV Series (1997-2003)

Introduction to the Slayer

BtVS reverses Horror Film Formula– Emphasis on feminine – Buffy holds the power – Female Gaze• Objectification of Women absent

Introduction to the Slayer

• Anti-patriarchal• Focus on this world – Friends and family important– Focus on individual and community

• The vampires follow traditional religious traditions

• Anti-myth

APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE

Apocalyptic Literature

• Apocalyptic Eschatology• Apocalyptic and Millennialism• Apocalypse• Apocalyptic Imagery• Key Component: Oracle / Prophecy

Apocalyptic Literature

• Slayer is chosen • Cosmic Battle• Slayer has prophetic dream• Connection to the dead• Theme of tribulation

BUFFY AS CHRIST-FIGURE

Buffy as Christ-Figure

• Prophecy: Buffy’s coming was prophesized as well as her death.

• Chosen: Buffy the only one able to save us - “she alone can stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness.”

• Destiny - her selection as Slayer, her role, not an accident.

• Suffering, death are prices Buffy pays to fulfill her destiny.

Buffy as Christ-Figure

• Casts out demons: Buffy destroys demons with wooden stakes (Christ uses exorcisms)

• Sacrifice: Buffy’s Gethsemane moment in “Prophesy Girl” - like Christ, sacrifices self anyway.

• Love of friends, family, humanity motivates self sacrifice

• Sacrifice of others, also - Angel’s death• Others also willing to die - not exclusive to Buffy -

Dawn’s death would also serve purpose• Buffy’s plan, not divine plan

Buffy as Christ-Figure

• Death: Buffy dies twice – each time prevents “an apocalypse.”

• Buffy’s death necessary - prophesied, needed to stop evil of The Master from taking over the world.

• Returns stronger than ever - evil defeats itself through death of Buffy.

Buffy as Christ-Figure

• Buffy’s second death – closes portal to Hell, saves the world.

• Told, “death is her gift” - giving her life is her gift to humankind.

• Heaven must be attained via own actions, if at all - Buffy is not gateway to heaven - she is gateway to life in the world - this-worldly focus.

• “The hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave. Live.”

Buffy as Christ-Figure

• Buffy - sacrifices the love of her life - Angel - flees her “life” by running away to LA

• Descends into emotional hell• She leads homeless, runaway

teenagers, the abused, the exploited from “Hell” in “Anne”

Buffy as Christ-Figure

• Buffy’s Resurrection(s): Buffy’s first resurrection - love, loyalty of friend (Xander) – mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (no divine interference)

• Buffy’s second resurrection Willow’s magic spell.

• Died, went to heaven, pulled back to Earth - Musical episode: “I live in Hell / ‘cause I’ve been expelled/ from Heaven.

Buffy as Christ-Figure

• Buffy as a feminist Christ: Final sacrifice = her “chosen” stature - she shares her power with women all over the world

• Shared power = multiplied power• Women’s power breaks male exploitation pattern (first

slayer chained by men; power shared through women’s magic)

• Women’s power defeats First Evil = this-worldly salvation.

• Saves all women to be strong• Salvation through empowerment, social engagement,

community.

Buffy as Christ-Figure

Tangible Cheerleader, Lives with Mother, Arrives at new school

Service to Lesser, sometimes ungrateful

Not liked by Cordillia

Central Central character A Willing Sacrifice Kills herself twice

Outsiders Not part of the popular group Innocent ?

Divinely Sourced and Tasked Chosen One A Cruciform Pose ?

Alter Egos High School Student/Slayer Cross Associations Use of Crucifixes throughout

Special Normal Special Powers Miracles and Signs Dreams/vision, exorcism (?)

Twelve Associates Scooby Gang Simplicity ?

The Holy Age Overcomes many apocalypses Poverty Middle class, episode “Anne”

A Betrayer Associate Spike tries to rape Buffy Jesus’ Garb: Physical and Spiritual

? (White Sheet)

A Sexually Identified Woman

(Reversal) Angel Blue Eyes Green eyes

A Pointing Prophet or Baptism

Prophecy of Chosen One Holy Exclamations ?

Decisive Death and Resurrection

Dies and Resurrected Season One and Five

Initials No

Triumphalism Death stops apocalypse

PORTRAYALS OF THE SUPERNATURAL

Portrayals of the Supernatural

• The Mayor• Glory• The First– Caleb