{"product_id":"9781476625331","title":"Villainy in Western Culture: Historical Archetypes of Danger, Disorder and Death","description":"\u003cp\u003e   Every society has its lineup of wicked, unethical characters--real or fictional--who are regarded as villainous. This book explores how Western societies have used villains to sort insiders from outsiders and establish behavioral norms to support harmony and well-being. There are three parts: nature and \"barbarians\" as sinister \"others\" bent on destroying Western civilization; tyrants, traitors and \"femmes fatales\" as challenges to ideals of legitimate governance, patriotism and gender roles; and gangsters, grifters and murderers as models of evil or unprincipled behavior. The author also discusses two related phenomena: the dramatic paring down of what is considered villainous in the West, and the proliferation of over-the-top villains in pop culture and mass media.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e   Instructors considering this book for use in a course may  request an examination copy here.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"McFarland \u0026 Company, Inc., Publishers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46556681994481,"sku":"9781476625331","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0674\/5433\/7265\/files\/9781476625331_p0.jpg?v=1765457003","url":"https:\/\/shop.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781476625331","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble","version":"1.0","type":"link"}