The Evolution of Zombies in Media

The earliest depictions of zombies can be traced back to Haitian voodoo and Western stereotypes during the early twentieth century. Zombies were portrayed as dead bodies walking and being controlled by the sorcerers, and thus, they represented the people's fear of becoming mere puppets in the hands of others. Research conducted by the National Library of Medicine accredits Haitian folklore regarding zombies as people possessed by bokors while expressing concerns over subjugation and erasure of individuality (Nugent et al., Para 1). Some of these portrayals related to colonization and slavery, which meant the dreadful feeling of becoming mere automatons to the evil powers. These early portrayals set the stage for zombies as epitomes of horror, of the populace losing its individuality or freedom to supernatural forces.

Just as society evolves, so do zombies in media, growing more complex and nuanced as time passes. In a study done by Capital, it is argued that early zombie narratives depicted zombies as a result of societal decay and made critiques towards consumerism (Para 3-6). Contemporary zombie narratives, as derived from articles in the Scientific American, reflect concerns over epidemics and technology threats. While these works portray fast and aggressive zombies, which is a clear contrast to the slow-moving zombies of old, they perfectly capture the spirit of modern concerns. In this context, zombies are not simply monsters but rather reflect the concerns and apprehensions of people in the contemporary, complex world.

However, this perspective must consider how zombies have been recontextualized to fit the emerging social concerns. However, in today's zombie narratives, the idea of the zombies has been taken to a different level, which deals with questions on bioethics, the erosion of civilization, and the effects of isolation and fear on the human mind (Vaishnavi para 1-4). This adaptability guarantees that zombies will always be significant and progressive in media, capable of adapting to today's concerns.

In summary, zombies have come a long way from their humble beginnings in Haitian folklore to a more sinister representation of twenty-first-century anxieties. This shift is due to altering social concerns and innovations, proving that zombies are a versatile and timeless part of horror literature. Critics may argue that the zombie is no longer relevant in today's society. Still, the subtle changes that have been made to this monster in today's media prove that it is, in fact, still relevant and can evolve to fit society's fear of the modern age.

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