I Am Legend as American Myth: Race and Masculinity in the Novel and Its Film Adaptations

Synopsis

Richard Matheson's 1954 Novel I Am Legend Has Spawned A Series Of Horror And Science Fiction Films. This Reexamination Of Matheson's Novel Situates The Tale Of One Man's Attitude About Killing Racialized Others Within Its Orginal Post-world War Ii Context. The Author Analyzes Several Film Adaptations, With A Focus On The Casting And Interpretations Protagonist Robert Neville-- Introduction: I Am Legends: Adapting Richard Matheson's Last Man Novel To The Screen -- Richard Matheson's I Am Legend: The Trauma Of World War Ii And The Decline Of Western Right -- Visualizing Apocalypse Through Compromised Masculinity: Vincent Price As The Last Man On Earth -- The Last White Man On Earth: Charlton Heston In The Omega Man -- The Color Of The New Hero: Will Smith In I Am Legend -- Conclusion: I Am Legend As American Myth. Amy J. Ransom. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.