Author : M. Gregory Kendrick
Publisher : McFarland
ISBN 13 : 1476625336
Total Pages : 270 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (766 download)
Book Synopsis Villainy in Western Culture by : M. Gregory Kendrick
Download or read book Villainy in Western Culture written by M. Gregory Kendrick and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2016-03-01 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Every society has its lineup of wicked, unethical characters--real or fictional--who are regarded as villainous. This book explores how Western societies have used villains to sort insiders from outsiders and establish behavioral norms to support harmony and well-being. There are three parts: nature and "barbarians" as sinister "others" bent on destroying Western civilization; tyrants, traitors and "femmes fatales" as challenges to ideals of legitimate governance, patriotism and gender roles; and gangsters, grifters and murderers as models of evil or unprincipled behavior. 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. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.