Dr. J. D. Rabb

Philosophy

Lakehead University

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Canada

doug.rabb@lakeheadu.ca

 

Dr. J. M. Richardson

English

Lakehead University

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Canada

mike.richardson@lakeheadu.ca

 

Russian Existentialism and Vampire Slayage: A Shestovian Key to the Power and Popularity of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

[Click on the link above to see this paper's placement in the SCBtVS Program.]

 

Russian Existentialist Lev Shestov provides the key to understanding not only Buffy’s power to vanquish vampires, but also the popularity of the Buffyverse. This profound narrative for our time cannot be dismissed, as in Levine and Schneider’s "Feeling for Buffy: The Girl Next Door." Taking our cue from episode 6012, "Doublemeat Palace," where Buffy, having been fired, perplexingly requests, "I'd really like to not be fired anymore," we argue that although it is logically impossible both to be fired and not fired, such difficulties do not faze the Slayer. According to Shestov, creative freedom gives one the power to overcome the law of non-contradiction by choosing unreason over reason. Like Buffy and her circle, Shestov seeks guidance through the interpretation of ancient texts. He sees the story of the Fall recounted in Genesis as the loss of existential freedom through partaking of the tree of knowledge (reason). Shestov argues we should use reason as a tool rather than falling victim to the necessity of its laws. Buffy’s wooden stake is such a tool, which she uses most effectively to confront the logical impossibility of vampires, the undead. This explains why vampires simply go poof when the point of their own logical absurdity is driven home. Thus, having the law of non-contradiction in hand accounts for the Slayer’s power. The popularity of the series itself is found in the paradoxical ways it embodies existential choice and privileges ancient texts over contemporary science and technology.