Zombies Are Metaphors for the Group Mentality

One of the aspects that zombie movie fans take for granted (and often never think of) is that zombie movies can display metaphors for group mentality. The average zombie movie will usually have at least a dozen scenes where group mentality is referenced, but few fans ever notice. After you have read this, you will never look at these types of scenes again.

Think for a moment about the times in which you have seen a zombie walk up to a door and realize that there might be someone inside. That zombie begins to scratch at the door. Within a moment or two, another zombie will come by and start doing the same thing. Within a short amount of time, zombies will be tripping over each other in an attempt to get in the door. The only thing that will distract them is another opportunity to eat (as in a person stumbles out another door).

Think about what happens when a group mentality rears its ugly head. One person starts to do something and then is followed by other people. This begins to grow and grow. Like the zombies, each person begins to do ramp up what it is doing. As the zombies begin to break the windows or bang the door a large group might start assaulting people or setting cars on fire.

Note the fact that the lead zombie sometimes does not even need to be right about what might be on the other end of the door. If zombies have a clue that one of their "brethren" might have a lead on some warm flesh, they will follow the lead. This leads to a very interesting scenario that becomes a metaphor within itself.

In one of the issues of "The Walking Dead" comic book, a scenario is brought up about a zombie walking by a house. The zombie's hand brushes a door and another zombie interprets it as an attempt to get in. The second zombie begins banging on the door to get in and is followed by others. Within minutes, dozens, if not hundreds, of zombies are banging down the door in search of food.

Sometimes, one person can interpret what is going on in a group incorrectly. That person then attempts to join what he interprets that the group is doing. The group then slowly gives into his lead and completely changes. Think about a person who witnesses a mosh pit at a concert for the first time. He might think that it is free-for-all fight. After he flies in with fist clenched, the mood of the crowd quickly changes.

Think about these examples the next time that you sit down to watch a horror movie. Also, think about these examples when you see the zombies of reality that are stuck in the middle of a crowd that has given in to group mentality. From time to time, both groups can be out for blood.