Ren Girard, Theology, and Pop Culture

(Hardback)

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In Ren Girard, Theology, and Popular Culture, fifteen contributors consider how Girards mimetic theory can be used to uncover and probe the theological depths of popular culture. Creative and critical engagement with Girards theory enables the contributors to offer fresh and exciting interpretations of movies (The Devil Wears Prada, Mean Girls, Star Wars), television (Hoarders, Cobra Kai), classical literature and graphic novels, and issues ranging from anorexia to social media. The result is a volume that establishes Girard as an innovative interpreter of culture and shows him as an invaluable guide for theologically reflecting on desire, violence, redemption, and forgiveness. Written in fresh and lively prose, the contributors demonstrate not only that Girard provides a powerful lens through which to view culture but alsoand more provocativelychallenge readers to consider what popular culture reveals about them. Readers looking for an accessible introduction to mimetic theory and exploring its theological application will find this a welcome resource.

Reviews

What a class act! These established and emerging Girard scholars demonstrate how mimetic theory, which cut its teeth on nineteenth-century novels, also illuminates contemporary film, television, and graphic novelsnow that viewing has supplanted reading, as Girard acknowledges. And if these new genres dont interest you, there are chapters on the weaponizing of Twitter, hoarding, anorexia, and the Church. Fr Duns introduction, explicating mimetic theory via The Devil Wears Prada, is a master class. A must for Girardians, an upskilling for theologians, a resource for preachers, and an education for pop culture junkies.

Ren Girard and Pop Culture makes the case for what so many intrigued by mimetic theory intuit: it is everywhere. The editors have collected a range of impressive chapters covering blockbuster movies, graphic novels, the silver screen, and social media. Most delightful of all is an introduction that walks the reader through the stages of mimetic theory by recalling The Devil Wears Prada. This book is a great contribution to an important series and to scholars of religion interested in showing a theory at work.

Author Bio

Ryan G. Duns is a Jesuit priest and assistant professor of theology at Marquette University.

T. Derrick Witherington is the director of liturgy for Gesu Parish and adjunct lecturer of theology at Marquette University.