What role does Hills (2004) suggests the fans play in construction of cult TV?
Fans play huge role constructing cult TV. For example, fans of “Buffy the vampire slayer” turns and uses in their daily lives. They collect all the episodes and series for DVD, posters and even toy figures. These clearly show how much the cult TV can influence and impact on the fans. In addition, according to Hills (2004) have stated that, that "cult TV is centrally important to cult fans' 'lifestyles and identities' that such fans are so keen to legitimate, defend and analyse their own consumption of cult TV." Without fans, cult TV cannot grow. Hills also have stated that even if the TV show finishes, fans will still remember it. Big fans still purchase rare items such as DVD, and figures since “Buffy the Vampire slayer” was one of the “quality cult TV shows”
What are the main themes present in “Buffy the vampire slayer?”
I think the main theme in the show is feminism. The main character Buffy is independent who has her own goal, strong idealistic.
Most male have stereotypes about females and how they are supposed to be weak, dependent and that needs to be protected. However this TV show gives different ideas about them. It flips around the idea of stereotype about females. Buffy is a slayer who kills demons to protect the people that she loves. She uses weapons such as guns, mace, swords etc. In addition she fights demons that even males are no match against. She is also an independent woman who makes her own choices to overcome conflicts. This TV show clearly proved that females don’t always need protection over man. They can be strong and independent and even save other males. Female audience will feel more overpowered than man by watching this and also feel more confident.
I like your idea that the main theme is feminism. In the series we do often see strong female characters e.g Anya Jenkens, Codelia Chase. Also the strong male characters are not even in the same league as Buffy ,as we saw in the episodes we watched,was able to defeat multiple Initiative despite them being well trained and medically enhanced.
ReplyDeleteYes! While I was watching Buffy the Vampire slayer, all I could think about was sense of feminism as my main theme
DeleteHow does Buffy deconstruct traditional literary notions of good and evil?
ReplyDeleteInaddional, i think Buffy is all about grey areas. There is very rarely a cut-and-dry idea about what is good and evil in Buffy. It's populated by vampires with souls, and sympathetic demons. It contains such rich and complex mythology that it gives rise to wide academic debate.
Katy Stevens
Cinema Studies, La Trobe University
The major difference between the traditional literary nations of good and evil is stated clearly in the story. Buffy stated herself as the person who migrates in-between. Buffy imply there is no completely good and evil, the hint obliquely at the stereotype heroism. Therefor in “the Buffy the Vampire Slayer “, Buffy is defined as the “Vampire Slayer” not a “heroin”. Wilcox suggests that Buffy is a name of ‘heroine’, who is shaped against the gender stereotype and presented a strong female. In addition, the linguistic deepness of the story is considered a prerequisite. It is shown on: “I need to go find something ‘slutty’ to wear…” “slutty” again brakes the principle of traditional literary.
Reference
Wilcox, R. & Lavery, D. (2002). Introduction, in R. Wilcox & D. Lavery (eds) Fighting the forces: what’s at stake in Buffy the vampire slayer. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.
Three Melbourne experts assess Buffy (2004). Retrieved 25 September, 2006 from: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/30/1088488020260.html
Thank you for adding on to my post. I like how you have defined the character buffy,.
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