Description: Animated Parables delves into the unexpected nature of short international animated films to teach, directly and indirectly, about vice and virtue. Terry Lindvall connects cartoons from a global community of animators to explore their role in displaying the seven deadly sins.
Review Quotes:
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.