Week 10: How does Buffy deconstruct traditional literary notions of good and evil?

Comparing to Frankenstein written by Mary Shelly, Rose (2002) points out some of the features of good and evil that differ Buffy the Vampire slayer from the traditional Romantic notions.In Frankenstein, Victor (the creator) is solely noble in his intention is to defy nature forces and create life although his creation, Frankenstein (who failed to seek acceptance), went on rampage because of Victor’s lack of guidance (Rose, 2002). In Buffy, the situation is adapted in season 4, where Adam also show his malevolent side in his attempt to ‘follow his mother’s goal (which is wrong)’ to exterminate both human and demons. The difference is Adam, equipped with high technology, killed his creator first hand and tries to know about himself and the world on his own. This once again questioned the morality of improving technology. Moreover, unlike Victor, Walsh (Adam’s creator), as seen in the show isn’t all for noble intends. The mood set after she failed to kill Buffy, brooding beside Adam not knowing he’s awoken would make one feel she is almost evil.This means Buffy, in a sense, deconstruct Frankenstein as Adam and Walsh unconsciously used technology in the evil way. The path is darker than Frankenstein and Victor where the intentions are originated from good but end up turned bad. In the end, Rose (2002) raises the questionaddressing Shelly’s fear of the effect of technology and industrialisation to humanity moral: “Just because technology makes something possible, is it right to do it?”

Reference:

Rose, A (2002). Of creatures andcreators: Buffy does Frankenstein, in R.Wilcox & D. Lavery (eds) Fighting theforces: what’s at stake in Buffy thevampire slayer. Lanham: Rowman andLittlefield.