| dc.contributor.author | Wolf, Carissa Noel | |
| dc.description.abstract | In 2003, Battlestar Galactica (BSG) was re-invented from its 1978 roots to a post-apocalyptic narrative steeped in religious rhetoric and Machiavellian politics. This combination of political and religious rhetoric is especially evident in how BSG cultivates multiple messianic characters – namely by transforming President Laura Roslin and scientist Gaius Baltar into a space-age Moses and Christ, respectively. In creating this messianic multiplicity, BSG suggests that a single individual cannot address all of the needs of a desperate people – a messiah can function either in the political realm (serving as an agent of physical salvation) or on a spiritual level (delivering emotional redemption), but not both. Much of this messianic dualism emerges in the characters’ rhetorical strategies – relying on classical Aristotelian forms vs. Judeo-Christian sermonic oratory, how they address underlying needs to appeal to the people, and in the ultimate ‘scope’ of their messianic influence on their societal and cultural history. | en_US |
| dc.publisher | North Dakota State University | en_US |
| dc.rights | NDSU Policy 190.6.2 | |
| dc.title | Time to Play the Religion Card: Messiah Complexes in Battlestar Galactica | en_US |
| dc.type | Master's paper | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2014-07-03T16:01:05Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2014-07-03T16:01:05Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2011 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10365/23231 | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Religion and Sociology--United States | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Battlestar Galactica (Television program : 2003) | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Battlestar Galactica (Television program : 2004-2009) | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Science fiction television programs -- History and criticism | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Criticism, interpretation, etc | en_US |
| dc.rights.uri | https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf | en_US |
| ndsu.degree | Master of Arts (MA) | en_US |
| ndsu.college | Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences | en_US |
| ndsu.department | English | en_US |
| ndsu.program | English | en_US |
| ndsu.advisor | Mara, Miriam | |
