Resurrection Through the Ages: From Gothic Literature to Modern Interpretations

In the Victorian era, there were tales of the supernatural and macabre that touched on the theme of resurrection, but they didn't feature the flesh-eating, reanimated corpses commonly associated with zombies in contemporary popular culture.

While the concept of zombies as we know them today wasn't prevalent in classic Gaslmap Horror literature, some stories explored themes of reanimation, resurrection, and the undead. However, these narratives often took different forms and weren't necessarily focused on the modern zombie archetype. 

The resurrection of Thomas Weems is a real-life incident that occurred in 1803 in Fauquier County, Virginia, United States. Thomas Weems was a local farmer who was believed to have died and was buried in a cemetery. However, several days after his burial, there were reports that Weems had been seen alive.

The community was astonished by the news, and many people went to the cemetery to witness the purported resurrection. When Weems' grave was opened, it was discovered that the coffin had been disturbed and the body was lying on its side. Additionally, there were signs of a struggle inside the coffin, suggesting that Weems had been buried alive and had attempted to free himself.

The incident caused a sensation in the local area and garnered attention from newspapers across the country. It sparked widespread fear and speculation about the possibility of premature burial, leading to a renewed interest in safety measures to prevent such occurrences.

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Similarly, the case of Russell Colvin, an incident that occurred in Manchester, Vermont, in 1812, delves into the idea of returning from the dead. Russell Colvin disappeared under mysterious circumstances. His absence sparked rumours and speculation among the local community, leading to suspicions of foul play. Two brothers-in-law, Jesse and Stephen Boorn, were eventually accused of his murder based on circumstantial evidence and testimony from witnesses who claimed to have seen them with Colvin before his disappearance.

Both brothers were arrested, tried, and convicted of Colvin's murder. Stephen Boorn was sentenced to death, while Jesse Boorn received a life sentence. However, the case took a dramatic turn when Russell Colvin unexpectedly returned to Manchester alive and well in 1819.

Colvin's return shocked the community and raised questions about the convictions of the Boorn brothers. It became clear that Colvin had not been murdered and had instead wandered off and lived in neighbouring states for several years, unaware of the suspicions surrounding his disappearance.

The Boorn brothers' convictions were eventually overturned, and they were released from prison. The case of Russell Colvin's disappearance and subsequent return became a famous example of a wrongful conviction based on faulty evidence and testimony.

Tales of Resurrection

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1818) is a seminal work in Gothic literature and can be considered an early precursor to zombie fiction. It deals with the creation of a sentient being from reanimated body parts and explores the theme of reanimation in profound ways. The novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who becomes obsessed with the idea of creating life from non-living matter.

Driven by his ambition and thirst for knowledge, Frankenstein succeeds in constructing a creature from various body parts. Using a mysterious scientific process, he brings this creature to life. However, upon witnessing the grotesque appearance of his creation, Frankenstein is horrified and immediately rejects it.

The creature, abandoned and shunned by its creator and society at large, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and seeks revenge against Frankenstein for his abandonment. Throughout the novel, the creature grapples with its own existence, longing for acceptance and companionship but facing only rejection and isolation.

Shelley's exploration of reanimation in Frankenstein raises profound questions about the ethical and moral implications of scientific experimentation. The novel delves into themes of hubris, responsibility, and the consequences of playing god. By giving life to his creature, Frankenstein disrupts the natural order and unleashes forces that he cannot control, ultimately leading to tragedy for himself and those around him.

Frankenstein remains a classic of literature and a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of scientific knowledge at any cost. The theme of reanimation in the novel continues to resonate with readers, prompting reflection on the boundaries of science, the nature of humanity, and the moral dilemmas inherent in the quest for immortality.

In Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897), the character of Lucy Westenra plays a significant role in the theme of resurrection. Lucy's story revolves around her transformation from a virtuous young woman into a vampire after being bitten by Count Dracula.

Initially portrayed as innocent and pure, Lucy becomes the target of Dracula's predation. After being bitten multiple times, she begins to exhibit symptoms of anaemia and mysterious illnesses. Despite efforts to save her through conventional medical treatments, Lucy's condition worsens, and she eventually dies.

However, this is not the end of Lucy's story. Following her death, she rises from the grave as an undead creature, now a vampire under Dracula's control. This resurrection of Lucy as a vampire embodies the theme of the undead and the perversion of life after death.

The resurrection of Lucy Westenra as a vampire serves multiple purposes in the narrative. It heightens the sense of horror and suspense in the novel, as Lucy's loved ones must confront the horrifying reality of her transformation. Additionally, Lucy's resurrection underscores the power and malevolence of Count Dracula, highlighting his ability to manipulate and corrupt the innocent.

Moreover, Lucy's transformation into a vampire reflects broader themes of sexuality and desire in Dracula. As a vampire, Lucy becomes a seductive and predatory figure, preying on the blood of the living. Her resurrection as a vampire symbolises the unleashed passions and forbidden desires that lurk beneath the surface of Victorian society.

Ultimately, Lucy Westenra's story of resurrection in Dracula contributes to the novel's exploration of fear, desire, and the boundaries between life and death. Her transformation into a vampire serves as a chilling reminder of the consequences of encountering the supernatural forces embodied by Count Dracula.

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The theme of Reanimation and resurrection continued to thrive and develop following the Victorian era. Herbert West – Reanimator is a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, first published in 1922. It follows the protagonist, Herbert West, a medical student with a morbid fascination for reanimating the dead.

West's obsession with conquering death leads him to develop a serum that can revive the deceased, albeit with unintended consequences. As West and his narrator colleague experiment with the reanimation process, they encounter increasingly grotesque and horrifying results.

The story explores themes of hubris, scientific ambition, and the ethical implications of tampering with life and death. Lovecraft delves into the moral and psychological consequences of West's experiments, depicting the chilling consequences of his relentless pursuit of knowledge.

Herbert West – Reanimator is notable for its blend of horror and science fiction elements, as well as its exploration of the boundary between life and death. It remains a seminal work in Lovecraft's body of fiction.

The Resurrected, published in 1923, is a short story written by E.F. Benson, an English author known for his contributions to the horror and supernatural fiction genres.

The story follows the protagonist, Dr. Emery, who becomes obsessed with the idea of bringing the dead back to life. Dr. Emery discovers a method for resurrection through the use of a special serum, and he conducts experiments in secret. He succeeds in reviving a recently deceased man named James Starkie, but the consequences of his actions are chilling and disturbing.

As James Starkie returns to life, he exhibits strange and unsettling behaviour. He appears detached from the world and experiences periods of confusion and disorientation. Dr. Emery soon realises that his experiment has unleashed forces beyond his control, and he grapples with the ethical and moral implications of his actions.

The Resurrected explores themes of mortality, science, and the unknown. It delves into the human desire to defy death and the consequences of tampering with the natural order. 

The Next Generation of Resurrection

Many authors of well-known stories since the 1920s had the theme of returning from the dead, resurrection and reanimation top of mind.

I Am Legend (1954) by Richard Matheson is a popular work that explores the theme of returning from the dead, reanimation, and resurrection in a post-apocalyptic setting. In the novel, Robert Neville, the protagonist, finds himself as seemingly the last surviving human in a world overrun by vampires. These vampires, once humans themselves, have been transformed into undead creatures who rise from their graves at night to hunt for blood.

The theme of returning from the dead is central to the novel's exploration of loneliness, survival, and the nature of humanity. Neville grapples with the loss of his wife and daughter, both of whom succumbed to the vampire plague and were transformed into creatures of the night. His encounters with the vampires, who were once his neighbours and friends, force him to confront the eerie phenomenon of reanimation and the blurring of the line between life and death.

Neville's attempts to understand the scientific basis of the vampire plague led him to experiment with methods of reanimation and resurrection. He hopes to find a cure for the vampirism virus and restore the infected humans to their former selves. However, his efforts are met with failure and frustration, as he struggles to reconcile his desire to save humanity with the grim reality of a world consumed by death and despair.

Throughout the novel, Matheson raises thought-provoking questions about what it means to be alive, the nature of consciousness, and the ethical implications of tampering with life and death. The vampires, once living beings, are now trapped in a state of undead existence, neither fully alive nor completely dead. Their resurrection is a twisted mockery of life, a haunting reminder of the fragility of human existence and the inevitability of death.

In I Am Legend, Matheson masterfully blends elements of horror, science fiction, and existential philosophy to create a chilling and thought-provoking meditation on the theme of returning from the dead. Through the character of Robert Neville and his desperate struggle for survival in a world overrun by the undead, Matheson invites readers to ponder the mysteries of life, death, and what lies beyond.

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Pet Sematary (1983) by Stephen King is a horror novel that delves into the theme of returning from the dead, resurrection, and reanimation with chilling effect. The story follows the Creed family, who move to a rural town in Maine and discover a burial ground in the nearby woods with mysterious powers.

The titular Pet Sematary is a misspelt cemetery where local children bury their beloved pets. However, beyond this cemetery lies an ancient burial ground with supernatural properties. Anything buried there comes back to life, but not quite as it was before. Instead, they return with a malevolent and unnatural aura, devoid of the innocence or humanity they once possessed.

The theme of resurrection takes centre stage when tragedy strikes the Creed family. After their cat Church is killed by a passing truck, their neighbour, Jud Crandall, introduces Louis Creed, the protagonist, to the burial ground. In a moment of grief and desperation, Louis decides to bury Church there, hoping to bring him back to life.

However, when Church returns, he is not the same gentle pet they once knew. He becomes aggressive and violent, displaying none of his previous affectionate behaviour. Louis soon learns the dark secret of the burial ground and the consequences of meddling with the natural order of life and death.

As the novel progresses, Louis is faced with increasingly difficult decisions as he grapples with the temptation to resurrect his deceased son, Gage, in the same manner as Church. His inner turmoil and the moral ambiguity of his actions drive much of the narrative tension, as he struggles to resist the allure of the forbidden power of resurrection.

Pet Sematary serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of playing god and the irreversible consequences of tampering with death. Through its exploration of the theme of returning from the dead, King creates a sense of dread and unease that lingers long after the final page is turned. The novel forces readers to confront their own fears and anxieties about mortality and the unknown, making it a haunting and unforgettable story in the realm of horror literature.

The End, The Beginning

Omm Sety, whose real name was Dorothy Eady, was an English woman who claimed to be the reincarnation of an ancient Egyptian priestess. Her story is fascinating in its connection to themes of resurrection and reincarnation, albeit in a different context than traditional literary narratives.

Born in England in 1904, Dorothy Eady experienced a traumatic fall as a child, after which she began exhibiting strange behaviour and claiming to have memories of a past life in ancient Egypt. She eventually moved to Egypt as an adult and dedicated her life to studying and preserving ancient Egyptian culture.

Dorothy, now known as Omm Sety, immersed herself in the study of Egyptology and became a respected authority on the subject. She claimed to have vivid memories of her past life as a priestess in the Temple of Seti I in Abydos, Egypt, and even provided detailed descriptions of the temple's layout and rituals that were later found to be accurate.

In the context of themes of resurrection and reanimation, Omm Sety's story offers a real-life example of someone who believed in the continuity of life beyond death. Her conviction that she was the reincarnation of an ancient Egyptian priestess speaks to humanity's enduring fascination with the mysteries of the afterlife and the possibility of returning in some form after death.

The theme of resurrection and reanimation has captivated audiences for centuries, weaving its way through the pages of literature, history, and popular culture. From the chilling accounts of real-life resurrections to the haunting tales penned by literary luminaries like Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker, these narratives continue to inspire reflection on the mysteries of life, death, and what lies beyond. As society evolves, so too do these stories, finding new life in the realms of film and television. Through adaptation, reinterpretation, and innovation, the theme of resurrection remains a timeless and universal motif, offering endless opportunities for exploration and discovery in the ever-changing landscape of storytelling.