How The Slayer Grew in Strength. A Study on the Representations of Posttraumatic Growth in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Abstract

This study aims to explore the representations of posttraumatic growth in the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It argues that it is through trauma that the main protagonist, Buffy, gains renewed strength and resilience which enables her to challenge oppressive institutions and to alter the role of The Slayer for herself and future generations. The purpose of this is to provide a new methodology in which to interoperate the show. Whilst previous scholarship has looked at representations of trauma in Buffy, it has tended not to comment upon how traumatic experience can lead to forced growth. As Buffy is saturated with trauma in a show that lasts for seven seasons, it allows for a chronological reading of a character who experiences many forms of trauma from childhood, into adolescence and then adulthood. This study uses a case study methodology, using a fictional character. The show is unique in its humorous approach to the gothic, slasher and science fiction genres, and in Joss Whedon’s approach to the main protagonist. Subverting the typical role of the male hero, Whedon instead gives the audience a female heroine who “takes back the night”. It also allows for a reading of a character who is a hybrid of human and supernatural, so it can therefore explore Buffy’s human and “natural” trauma alongside representations of supernatural trauma.
Through the application of trauma theory and looking at representations of traumatic experience of a fictional character, this study demonstrates how the main character transitions through many traumas to experience posttraumatic growth. Previous and current approaches have predominately viewed representations of trauma in Buffy through the lens of feminist theory, gender studies and disability. This study offers a new approach through the lens of trauma and posttraumatic growth, which is something that has been missing from the literature. It questions whether subjecting the character to repeated trauma results in purely negative experiences, or whether the character can grow from these traumas and become more resilient and efficient as both The Slayer and as a strong woman. Ultimately it seeks to demonstrate that it is the latter that dominates the narrative, thus, evidencing representations of posttraumatic growth in the character. The merits of this methodology can also be utilized for reading and interpreting other TV shows in which the main protagonist is subjected to repeated trauma, as it provides the opportunity to explore how the character utilizes that trauma for positive growth.

Date of Award	15 Jul 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Edge Hill University
Supervisor	MATTHEW PATEMAN (Director of Studies) & JENNIFER WOODWARD (Supervisor)