Research Catalog

Title

Faith and choice in the works of Joss Whedon / K. Dale Koontz.

Author

Koontz, K. Dale, 1968-

Publication

Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland, [2008], ©2008.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

x , 231 pages; 23 cm

Summary

"Joss Whedon once identified himself as an "angry, hard-line atheist" who is nevertheless "fascinated by the concept of devotion." While organized religion seems to hold no satisfactory answers for Whedon, his dedication to exploring the meanings of faith and belief can be seen in many of the characters he has created for such works as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Serenity, and Fray. This work examines a variety of Whedon's characters and discusses what can be learned from their struggles and discoveries regarding religion and belief."--BOOK JACKET.

Subjects

• Television broadcasting > Religious aspects
• Whedon, Joss, 1964- > Criticism and interpretation

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 219-225) and index.

Contents

Pt. 1. Purpose: The Road to Damascus -- 1. What's a Key Without a Lock?: Dawn and the Promise of Purpose -- 2. Growing After Death: Angel, Spike and the Evolution of the Soul -- Pt. 2. Family: A Place at the Table -- 3. Coming Apart, but Moving Forward: Magic Twins and Older Sisters in Fray -- 4. A Family of Believers, Just Not in the Same Thing: Faith in the Firefly Family -- Pt. 3. Redemption: The Past Is Not a Prison -- 5. The One That Almost Got Away: Doyle and the Fish Story -- 6. "I Got No Rudder": Navigating the Sea of Faith with Malcolm Reynolds -- 7. The Depth of Shadows: Redemption and Doubt in Shepherd Book -- 8. Prodigal Daughter: Faith and Homecoming -- Pt. 4. Zealotry: Blood and Fire -- 9. Burning River: Witchcraft and the "Other" in Firefly -- 10. No Girls Allowed: Caleb and the Evils of Misogyny -- Conclusion: Buffy Goes (Back) to School -- Primary Sources - Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- Primary Sources - Angel -- Primary Sources - Firefly -- Primary Sources - Other.

ISBN

• 9780786434763 (softcover : alk. paper)
• 0786434767 (softcover : alk. paper)

LCCN

• 2008003188
• 40015233264

OCLC

• ocn182656608
• SCSB-5396531

Owning Institutions

Columbia University Libraries