The Existential Joss Whedon: Evil and Human Freedom in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Angel", "Firefly" and "Serenity"

This study examines the major works of contemporary American television and film screenwriter, Joss Whedon. The authors argue that these works are part of an existentialist tradition that stretches back from the French atheistic existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre, through the Danish Christian existentialist, Soren Kierkegaard, to the Russian novelist and existentialist, Fyodor Dostoevsky. Whedon and Dostoevsky, for example, seem preoccupied with the problem of evil and human freedom. Both argue that in each and every one of us ""a demon lies hidden."" Whedon personifies these demons and has them wandering about and causing havoc. Dostoevsky treats the subject only slightly more seriously. Chapters cover such topics as Russian existentialism and vampire slayage; moral choices; ethics; faith and bad faith; constructing reality through existential choice; some limitations of science and technology; love and self-sacrifice; love, witchcraft, and vengeance; soul mates and moral responsibility; love and moral choice; forms of freedom; and Whedon as moral philosopher. Chapters Cover Such Topics As Russian Existentialism And Vampire Slayage; Moral Choices; Ethics; Faith And Bad Faith; Constructing Reality Through Existential Choice; Some Limitations Of Science And Technology; Love And Self-sacrifice; Love, Witchcraft, And Vengeance; Soul Mates And Moral Responsibility; Love And Moral Choice; Forms Of Freedom; And Whedon As Moral Philosopher--provided By Publisher. 1 Russian Existentialism And Vampire Slayage: A Shestovian Key To The Power And Popularity Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer 7 -- 2 Moral Choice In Buffy, Angel And Firefly: Ethics In The Whedonverse 18 -- 3 Buffy, Faith And Bad Faith: Choosing To Be The Chosen One 26 -- 4 Slayer Authenticity: Constructing Reality Through Existential Choice 48 -- 5 Riley And The Initiative: Some Limitations Of Science And Technology 63 -- 6 Darla, Spike, And Xander: Love And Self-sacrifice 75 -- 7 Willow And Tara: Love, Witchcraft, And Vengeance 90 -- 8 Angel And Spike: Soul Mates And Moral Responsibility 106 -- 9 Angel In Hell: Love And Moral Choice 122 -- 10 Firefly And Serenity: Two Forms Of Freedom 137 -- 11 Myth, Metaphor, And Morality: Joss Whedon As Moral Philosopher 150. J. Michael Richardson And J. Douglas Rabb. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 175-191) And Index. Examines the major works of contemporary American television and film screenwriter, Joss Whedon. This book includes chapters that cover topics such as Russian existentialism and vampire slayage; moral choices; ethics; faith and bad faith; constructing reality through existential choice; some limitations of science and technology; and more.