Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction: The Themes of the Current Zombie Movie Genre
Night of the Living Dead (1968): Romero's First Look at Hell, Sin, and Human Nature
Dawn of the Dead (1978: Consumerism, Materialism, and the Fourth Circle of Hell
Day of the Dead (1985): Violence, Perverted Reason, and the Lower Circles of Hell
Dawn of the Dead (2004): Limbo and the Partial Victory of Reason and Virtue
Land of the Dead (2005): The Deepest Abyss of Hell and the Final Hope
Conclusion: The Meaning and Future of Zombie Movies
Notes
Bibliography
Index
"Gospel of the Living Dead" is a new book written by by Dr. Kim Paffenroth, Ph.D, a professor of religious studies at Ionia College, New York.
It is a critical analysis of the social and moral messages behind the enormously popular "zombie" films of director George A. Romero, encompassing "Night of the Living Dead," "Dawn of the Dead," "Day of the Dead," and "Land of the Dead." In addition to these four films, Paffenroth also offers his analysis of the 2004 remake of "Dawn of the Dead," directed by Zack Snyder.
Although the idea of a religious scholar offering a case for the moral and spiritual value of zombie movies might seem a bit off-putting to some readers - both those holding secular and spiritual values - Paffenroth has written a highly accessible, entertaining and thought-provoking read that will be of immense value to both the ardent Romero fan and the casual student of popular culture.
Each of Romero's movies are individually examined, with Paffenroth offering a summary of the plot, followed by quality, thought-provoking analysis. Romero's movies, according to Paffenroth, offer scathing criticism of society's greatest ills, particularly in the context of the era that each movie was made.
The religious aspect of Paffenroth's book is subtle, and populist in nature; the sins he rails against are secular in nature, and regrettably universal in their manifestation: racism, sexism, hate, greed and violence.
In this context, Paffenroth's Romero is a kind of voice in the wilderness, damning a society that chooses to be vapid, selfish and violent, yet has the freedom to be so much more.
Paffenroth maintains that Romero's movies serve a role to society similar to that once served by the traveling passion plays of the Middle Ages. By providing a vivid example of damnation (manifested in Romero's zombies, who are now beyond the salvation of being able to choose to live differently), the living (both the characters in the movies and the movie's viewers) may be spurred toward actively choosing a more equitable way of life.
Paffenroth refrains from suggesting that a Christian way of life, or religious one at all, is the only way or correct way to address such social ills and individual perfidy. Largely, he leaves the reader to make those decisions him or herself.
In closing, I found "Gospel" to be a very satisfying, thought-provoking read. My only objections were (a) that the book itself was a bit too short, clocking in at less than 200 pages for a book that is almost $20.00, and (b) Paffenroth provided little in the way of quotes from Romero himself. This might have added a bit more substance to his analyses. For these reasons, I rated the book an 8/10.