Apocalypse and Heroism in Popular Culture: Allegories of White Masculinity in Crisis

Stories of world-ending catastrophe, such as zombie apocalypses, climate disasters, alien invasions, global pandemics, and dystopian world orders, are popular with audiences because they reflect contemporary anxieties and offer a sense of hope and empowerment. The hero is often a white man who overcomes personal struggles and obstacles to lead humanity toward a restored future, but this trope is being challenged in recent films to tell new and fascinating stories about race, gender, society, and the power of individuals to change the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2022
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

Stories of world-ending catastrophe have captivated audiences in film and television, with a wide range of scenarios such as zombie apocalypses, climate disasters, alien invasions, global pandemics, and dystopian world orders taking center stage. These narratives often feature a singular figure or a tenacious group of individuals tasked with saving or salvaging the world from impending doom.

Why are stories of End Times crisis so appealing to audiences? One reason is that they tap into our deepest fears and anxieties about the future, providing a sense of escapism and hope in a world that often feels uncertain and unstable. These stories also offer a way to explore complex social and political issues, such as race, gender, and society, in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

The hero in these stories is often a white man who overcomes personal struggles and major obstacles to lead humanity toward a restored future. This trope has been prevalent in Western cultural traditions for centuries, and while it may reflect certain biases and assumptions, it also allows for the exploration of complex characters and the power of individuals to change the world.

This book examines the familiar trope of the hero and the recasting of contemporary anxieties in films like "The Walking Dead," "Snowpiercer," and "Mad Max: Fury Road." These films challenge popular assumptions about heroes and heroism by exploring new and fascinating stories about race, gender, and society. They also highlight the power of individuals to make a difference in the face of adversity, even in the most dire circumstances.

In conclusion, stories of world-ending catastrophe have a powerful hold on audiences because they tap into our deepest fears and anxieties, offer a sense of escapism and hope, and provide a way to explore complex social and political issues. The trope of the hero, particularly the white man who overcomes personal struggles and leads humanity toward a restored future, has been prevalent in Western cultural traditions for centuries, but these films challenge these assumptions and offer new and fascinating stories about race, gender, and society.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476667850