I Am Legend as American Myth: Race and Masculinity in the Novel and Its Film Adaptations

Richard Matheson's 1954 novel I Am Legend has spawned a series of iconic horror and science fiction films, including The Last Man on Earth (1964), The Omega Man (1971) and I Am Legend (2007). The compelling narrative of the last man on earth, struggling to survive a pandemic that has transformed the rest of humanity into monsters, has become an American myth. While the core story remains intact, filmmakers have transformed the details over time, reflecting changing attitudes about race and masculinity. This reexamination of Matheson's novel situates the tale of one man's conflicted attitude about killing racialized ""others"" within its original post-World War II context, engaging the question of post-traumatic stress disorder. The author analyzes the several film adaptations, with a focus on the casting and interpretations of protagonist Robert Neville.

Author: Amy J. Ransom
Publisher: McFarland and Company, Inc.
Published: 08/19/2018
Pages: 231
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.80h x 5.90w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781476668338

About the Author
Amy J. Ransom is a professor of French at Central Michigan University. She earned the Science Fiction Research Association's Pioneer Award in 2007 for her work on French-language Canadian science fiction.