Supernatural, Humanity, and the Soul: On the Highway to Hell and Back

Throughout its run the television show Supernatural has delved into social, philosophical, literary, and theological themes - as well as issues related to gender, family, capitalism and post-modernism - that not only contextualize and add depth to the show's ongoing plot, but also reflect our era's intellectual concerns. The contributors in this collection analyze the ways in which the series represents humanity, the human soul, and will. The show constantly plays with the line between human and monster, between justice and vigilantism, reflecting post-9/11 America's simultaneous acceptance of and unease with issues such as torture and pre-emptive violence. This book both contextualizes Supernatural within the current pop cultural fascination/renaissance of the fantastic and traces its roots in folklore and Biblical narrative, in particular the overarching apocalyptic narrative based in (but also challenging) Judeo-Christian scripture.

"For years, Supernatural has been one of television's most engaging and provocative series. By analyzing the show's proficiency at deconstructing and reconstructing traditional concepts of theology, mythology, and gender within the context of postmodern popular culture, George and Hansen's critical anthology goes a long way toward explaining the series' resilience - making this volume a must read for any serious watcher of the Winchesters." - Mary Pharr, co-editor of Of Bread, Blood and The Hunger Games: Critical Essays on the Suzanne Collins Trilogy (2012)

"Supernatural, Humanity, and the Soul is an essential collection of important new pieces on Supernatural. Together they deliver a nuanced theological, philosophical, and gender-based analysis that revels in the series' multi-layered complexity. At once engaging, illuminating, and thought-provoking, this book offers valuable new approaches to, and insights into, this popular series. It is a must for all seekers of knowledge about the weird and wonderful world of the Winchesters." - Simon Brown, Television and Film Scholar, Kingston University, UK

"Hansen and George take the readers on an illuminating journey through the social and political intricacies that underpin the success and longevity of Supernatural. Offering fresh insight, the authors included in this anthology examine the show's preoccupation with what it means to be human in the twenty-first century. Written with the passion of a hunter and the scholarly rigor of the Men of Letters, this book is a must-read for enthusiasts, students, researchers, and future hunters." - Stacey Abbott, author of Angel: TV Milestone (2009) and co-editor of TV Goes to Hell: An Unofficial Road Map of Supernatural (2011)

Through nine seasons the TV show Supernatural has delved into social, philosophical, literary, and theological themes that not only add depth to the show, but reflect our era's intellectual concerns. This book contextualizes Supernatural within the renaissance of the fantastic in pop culture and traces its roots in folklore and Biblical narrative.

Susan A. George is Lecturer in the Merritt Writing Program at the University of California, Merced, USA.

 

Regina Hansen is Senior Lecturer in the College of General Studies at Boston University, USA.

Introduction: On the Highway to Hell and Back; Susan A. George and Regina Hansen
PART I: RELIGION, THEOLOGY, AND PHILOSOPHY THROUGH A SUPERNATURAL LENS
2. Deconstructing the Apocalypse?: Supernatural's Appropriation of Angelic Hierarchies; Regina M. Hansen
3. The Greatest of These: The Theological Virtues and the Problem of an Absent God in Supernatural; Elisabeth G. Wolfe
4. Suffering Nuclear Reactors: Depictions of the Soul from Plato to Supernatural; Patricia Grosse 5. "We're Just . . . Food and Perverse Entertainment": Supernatural's New Gods and the Narrative Objectification of Sam and Dean; KT Torrey
PART II: "KILLING EVIL THINGS" OR NOT--SUPERNATURAL'S COMPLEX CONSIDERATIONS OF MONSTROSITY
6. All Dogs Come From Hell: Supernatural's Canine Connection; Sharon D. King
7. "This Isn't Wall Street, This Is Hell!": Corporate America as the Biggest Supernatural Bad of All
8. The Hunter Hunted: The Portrayal of the Fan as Predator in Supernatural; Cait Coker and Candace Benefiel
9. "A Shot On The Devil": Women Hunters and the Identification of Evil in Supernatural; Ralph Beliveau and Laura Bolf-Beliveau
10. All that Glitters: The Winchester Boys and Fairy Tales; Rebecca-Anne C. Do Rozario PART III: MEN, WOMEN, AND SUPERNATURAL
11. A Man and His 1967 Impala: Supernatural, U.S. Car Culture, and the Masculinity of Dean Winchester; Susan A. George
12. "How is that not rape-y?": Dean as the Anti-Bella and Feminism without Women in Supernatural; Rhonda Nicol
13. God, the Devil, and John Winchester: Failed Patriarchal Families in Supernatural; Charlotte E. Howell
14. Who's Your Daddy?: Father Trumps Fate in Supernatural; Lugene Rosen
15. Metal and Rust: Postindustrial White Masculinity and Supernatural's Classic Rock Canon; Gregory J. Robinson