Villainy in Western Culture

Every society has its lineup of wicked unethical characters--real or fictional--who are regarded as villainous. This book explores how Western societies have used villains to sort insiders from outsiders and establish behavioral norms to support harmony and well-being. There are three parts: nature and barbarians as sinister others bent on destroying Western civilization; tyrants traitors and femmes fatales as challenges to ideals of legitimate governance patriotism and gender roles; and gangsters grifters and murderers as models of evil or unprincipled behavior. The author also discusses two related phenomena: the dramatic paring down of what is considered villainous in the West and the proliferation of over-the-top villains in pop culture and mass media. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.