Animated Parables: A Pedagogy of Seven Deadly Sins and a Few Virtues

by Terry Lindvall

Overview

Generally neglected for their rhetorical power, animated cartoons provide a treasure chest of provocative and comic gems that teach about the seven deadly sins. After a brief history of parables and fables, icons and visual communication, this book explores each of the seven deadly sins as represented in short animated films from Disney, Pixar, the Warner Brothers, and international animators. Terry Lindvall argues that attending to the tropes of the cartoons leads to exemplary and revelatory discoveries, to seeing more of what pride, envy, wrath, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust mean across cultures and historical eras.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781978715035
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	12/28/2022
Series:	Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture
Pages:	284
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.88(d)

About the Author

Terry Lindvall is C. S. Lewis Chair of Communication and Christian Thought at Virginia Wesleyan University.

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Brief Pedagogy of Parables

Part I: Aesthetic Roots

Chapter One: Parables and Fables

Chapter Two: Emergence of the Visual Parable

Part II: Dead Branches

Chapter Three: Sin, Judgment, and Blindness

Chapter Four: Pride (Superbia of the Peacock)

Chapter Five: Envy (Invidia or the Wolf)

Chapter Six: Wrath (Ira or the Lion)

Chapter Seven: Sloth (Acedia or the Ass)

Chapter Eight: Avarice (Avaricia or the Camel)

Chapter Nine: Gluttony (Gula or the Swine)

Chapter Ten: Lust (Luxuria or the Goat)

Part III: Spiritual Fruit

Chapter Eleven: Virtues and Redemption

Editorial Reviews

Lindvall took a topic usually of little interest to most popular culture researchers—i.e., religion/theology—“relevantized” it with much supporting theory drawn from many fields, polished it with interesting anecdotal snippets and entertaining synopses of animation shorts, and wove all of this into a book offering diverse cultural, historical, and international contexts. Lindvall's aim was to show how the seven deadly sins—pride, envy, anger, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust—have been interpreted by theologians, literary authors, philosophers, artists, animators, painters, filmmakers, religious figures (e.g., the apostles, Buddha, Christ, etc.). Each deadly sin is given a chapter, impeccably researched and amusingly presented, with bits of theory, poetry, song lyrics, illustrations, story plots, informational notes, and plentiful references. Cleverly organized, rich in information, and written with an infectious sense of humor, Animated Parables is a wonderful resource. Never were the seven deadly sins presented with such precision, wit, and verve. Bravo, Lindvall! Essential. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.

Choice Reviews

What do Kierkegaard, The Three Little Pigs, Betty Boop, The Big Snit and Dante, all have in common? More than you might think, suggests Terry Lindvall in his book, Animated Parables. Lindvall, a leading historian of culture/film and religion, has crafted a compelling and witty argument focusing on the parabolic value of short, animated films and cartoons. These small visual stories teach their viewers— disorienting preconceptions, arousing curiosity, and provoking fresh meanings and actions. I laughed and learned as story after story about vice and virtue were recounted.

Robert K. Johnston

Terry Lindvall's research is impeccable—and a delight to read. Who wouldn't want to spend an afternoon chuckling about animation and the Seven Deadly Sins? Not just a book for specialists, its examples are placed in a broad cultural and historical context. The links that Dr. Lindvall forges provide valuable connections for the field of animation studies as a whole. Put this one on your reading list!

Maureen Furniss

[I] ultimately found the book to be stimulating and delightful. Animated Parables introduced me to a number of excellent animated films I had never heard of (let alone seen), many of which I will be now including in the classroom when teaching Christian theology. Moreover, Lindvall’s breadth of knowledge cannot be overstated—his humble self-deprecating humor on display throughout the book does not diminish what is obviously a rich understanding and appreciation of global animated cinema. I enjoyed the book thoroughly.

Journal of Religion and Film