Last night while watching the episode of “The Walking Dead”
that we were asked to watch for class, there were many things that struck me to
say about the episode. However, it was hard for me to stick with ideas from
only this episode because I watch the show myself and can’t wait for it to come
back on in February. One idea that struck me though is the symbolism of
corruption of the innocent. We have inevitable corruption and forced
corruption. There are two scenes in the show that depict this. One is the very beginning
with Rick having to shoot the little girl, and the other is where we see Rick,
Morgan, and his son, Duane retrieving guns from the police station. The first
scene represents the inevitable corruption. The child is not unable to become a
zombie just because she is an innocent child. Just like in our own world habits
are formed that are followed out of habit, not out of want. An example of this
could be what Amanda was saying in class about children who grow up in homes
with parents who may have a certain view on a topic, idea, or people and the
kids are taught to believe it. This is inevitable corruption. On the other hand
we have forced corruption, where the young are forced to become less innocent because
of things going on in their society. Duane is a child and shouldn't be old enough to shoot a gun especially when it gives him the ability to take the life of a person, even if the person is technically already dead. An example of this, that kind of goes
along with this episode, is children in other countries who are forced to put
their lives on the line for a fight or war within their country. These children
have to kill or be killed, therefore, it is forced corruption.
Matt Roush said in his article, “they’re the human animal reduced to its most primitive and soulless state, compelled by only one need:to feed. All you can do is run.” Zombies in their nature are mindless and
habitual (the need to survive) as we have discussed in class and on the blog.
Do you think that instead of death zombies could represent all the people who
are lost in the world not knowing who they are because they simply follow what
society deems right? Could they be the wanderers stuck in what some call limbo/
or purgatory? Could the survivors be stuck in hell, while the zombies represent
the demons that want to tear away their flesh?
This post is amazing crystal, I completely agree with your views as well. I watched the first episode last night also, and I began to make connections of the same things. I believe "zombies" truly are a symbol for just corruption in general, whether its innocent things, like girls wearing pink, or if it is more on a harsher genre like children having guns.
ReplyDeleteI see your point, and I acknowledge.
ReplyDeleteI however disagree. I think its a play on humans and how we as a species react to adversity. It questions human morality. What Rick did would be considered a capital crime if it was not for the fact of circumstances. It makes us as viewers ask ourselves, at what point in time is this going to far?
When does the need to survive conflict with the morals in us all? I think it was horrible that he killed her, but he did what he had to do. Essentially, we will have to face our internal stuggle of keeping our humanity or surviving our circumstances. I think the actions Rick serve as an example of having to make the hard choice, and living with the consequences.
I believe Rick shooting the little girl is an example of the loss of innocence, but I disagree about Duane getting a gun. I do not think he is too young to use a gun, but I grew up walking around hunting grounds with my bright orange jacket. I believe Duane getting a gun to shoot something that is in the form of a human is an example of the loss of morality. Human morals are questioned and loosened throughout the series. I think they try to keep their humanity, but at some points they don't have much of a choice and have to pick the lesser of two evils, such as shoot the zombie or become a zombie.
ReplyDelete