Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a Christ figure.pptVIP

Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a Christ figure She saved the world, a lot. Buffy as Christ figure Buffy character has parallels to Christ… Spoken of in prophesy Special, chosen nature Casting out demons Sacrifice Death Descent into Hell Resurrection But Buffy story placed in naturalized, non-theological frame Prophesy Like Christ, Buffy’s coming was prophesied. Like Christ, Buffy’s death was prophesied. Also like Christ, prophesy open to multiple interpretations. Episodes: voice over from all episodes; “Prophesy Girl” (1997) Jesus as the Chosen One In Christian teachings, Christ is only one able to save us - no other has the power. Divine plan - his presence, existence, is not an accident. Human salvation comes via his suffering, death. Jesus’ conception - divine power infused in young girl (Mary) - voluntary? Need for Christ = fallen nature of mankind - we can’t redeem ourselves, only divine power can do so. Buffy as the Chosen One Buffy is the only one able to save us - “she alone can stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness.” Destiny - her selection as Slayer, her role, not an accident. Suffering, death are prices Buffy pays to fulfill her destiny. Episodes: “Prophesy Girl” (1997); “Becoming, I II” (1998); “ The Gift” (2001), etc. Buffy as the Chosen One Slayer’s “birth” out of darkness; - demon power infused in young girl against her will by men. Source of power = darkness, exploitation. Non-theological - no divine plan, only human plan Humans not “fallen” (but can be evil) - must redeem themselves. Buffy makes world safe for them to do so. Casting out demons Casting out demons was one of the miracles credited to Jesus. Example, Matthew 8:28-33”…There met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way…. ?And He said to them, Go. So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea