Vader, Voldemort and Other Villains

What is evil? How do we understand it in our culture? the thirteen essays in this critical volume explore the different ways in which evil is portrayed in popular culture, particularly through film and novels. Iconic figures of evil are explored, As is the repeated use of classic themes within our intellectual tradition. Topics covered include serial killers in film, The Twilight series, The Harry Potter series, Star Wars, and more. Collectively, these essays suggest how vital the notion of evil is to our culture, which in turn suggest a need to reflect on what it means to value what is good.

Jamey Heit is now completing his doctorate at Glasgow University's Centre for Literature, Theology and the Arts. He is the author of a previous book about religious themes in The Simpsons.