In this conversation, Greg Garrett, an English professor at Baylor University and author, dives into his works, including "Living with the Living Dead." He discusses how zombie narratives reflect societal fears and ethics, especially post-9/11. Garrett explores the significance of community in facing existential challenges and connects themes of trust and betrayal to The Walking Dead's finale. He argues for the importance of authentic relationships and spiritual growth amidst chaos, emphasizing how fiction can enrich our understanding of faith and morality.
The podcast emphasizes the necessity for diversity in American Christianity, paralleling it to a bar with varied craft beer options that enhance spiritual growth.
Zombie narratives are discussed as reflections of societal fears and ethical dilemmas, encouraging audiences to confront complex questions about existence and morality.
The conversation highlights how the events of September 11 reshaped the zombie genre, symbolizing societal grappling with vulnerability and chaos in storytelling.
Deep dives
Diverse Ingredients for Faith
The conversation emphasizes the need for diversity within American Christianity, akin to a bar offering various craft beers instead of just light options. It argues that spiritual growth should come from exposure to different theological perspectives and ideas, allowing individuals to explore and brew their own faith. The host expresses his desire to provide engaging and substantial content that inspires beauty, love, and justice, rather than settling for bland or simplistic notions of belief. This approach aims to create a vibrant community where believers can interact meaningfully with one another.
Insights from the Zombie Apocalypse
The discussion revolves around how zombies, often dismissed as mere entertainment, reflect deeper societal fears and ethical dilemmas. The guest's book, 'Living with the Living Dead', explores how zombie narratives serve as a canvas to interrogate human existence, morality, and the fragile nature of society, particularly in a post-9/11 context. By examining the cultural significance of zombies, the conversation reveals that these stories invite audiences to confront complex questions about life and death, community and isolation. The podcast positions zombies not just as monsters, but as mirrors reflecting humanity's fears and struggles.
Cultural Reflection Post-9/11
The events of September 11, 2001, are framed as a pivotal moment that reshaped American culture, igniting a surge in zombie films and narratives. This cultural shift symbolizes the newfound awareness of vulnerability and chaos present in the world, fundamentally altering how stories of apocalypse are told. The guest notes that a significant number of zombie films have emerged since 9/11, signifying a societal grappling with fears of terrorism, economic collapse, and political instability. This revival of the zombie genre offers a framework for individuals to process collective trauma while drawing comparisons to historical instances where societies faced overwhelming chaos.
Ethics in Times of Crisis
The podcast also dives into the ethical dimensions that arise in zombie narratives, particularly regarding the choices characters make in the face of danger. Such stories encourage audiences to ponder moral dilemmas, such as whom to trust and when to exercise self-sacrifice for others. The discussion highlights that, in a landscape devoid of societal structure, the preservation of humanity often requires difficult decisions that challenge personal ethics. Ultimately, these narratives underscore the importance of community, love, and hospitality, suggesting that our responses to crisis reveal our true character.
Community and Redemption
The podcast argues that, like characters in zombie narratives, individuals often confront their darkest fears while searching for community and hope. The experiences recounted by the guests illustrate how human beings thrive and find meaning in togetherness, even amid the chaos of life. It underscores the significance of supportive relationships in fostering resilience and recovery from personal crises, asserting that authentic connections provide solace and strength. The conversation concludes on a hopeful note, reflecting the idea that even in dire circumstances, love and sacrifice can lead to redemption and transformation.
Greg Garrett, English professor at Baylor University, is a professional writer who teaches creative writing, film, literature, and theology classes at Baylor University. As a fiction writer, he has published forty short stories and critically-acclaimed novels. He is perhaps best known, however, as a critic and theologian exploring the intersections of literature, culture, religion, and politics. Greg is on to talk with Tripp about his book Living with the Living Dead: The Wisdom of the Zombie Apocalypse, and his spiritual memoir Crossing Myself: A Story of Spiritual Rebirth.
Tripp and Greg talk about the Walking Dead (spoiler alert), the history of zombie literature and movies and their existential signification, what makes for a compelling story, the Christian response to a dangerous world, what it means to be fully alive, and how the zombie apocalypse intersects with reality.
