Animated Parables

Terry Lindvall is C. S. Lewis Chair of Communication and Christian Thought at Virginia Wesleyan University.

• Introduction: A Brief Pedagogy of ParablesPart I: Aesthetic RootsChapter One: Parables and FablesChapter Two: Emergence of the Visual ParablePart II: Dead BranchesChapter Three: Sin, Judgment, and BlindnessChapter Four: Pride (Superbia of the Peacock)Chapter Five: Envy (Invidia or the Wolf)Chapter Six: Wrath (Ira or the Lion)Chapter Seven: Sloth (Acedia or the Ass)Chapter Eight: Avarice (Avaricia or the Camel)Chapter Nine: Gluttony (Gula or the Swine)Chapter Ten: Lust (Luxuria or the Goat)Part III: Spiritual Fruit Chapter Eleven: Virtues and Redemption

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.