The Body as Evidence

This flow traces how physical bodies move from objects of grief to experimental evidence and finally political symbols.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Bodies of the Dead

Physical Remains Practical Objects Robert Neville handles infected bodies as hazards requiring transport and disposal. Emotional Distortion The bodies occasionally resemble Kathy Neville or Virginia Neville, collapsing scientific distance. Social Meaning Each corpse carries the unresolved question of whether death is final.

Microscopic Body

Blood Under Glass Reduction Robert Neville turns the vampire body into blood, cells, bacteria, and tissue systems. Knowledge The microscope allows him to understand infection without relying on myth. Cost The reduction also makes it easier to ignore the persons attached to the specimens.

Political Body

The Body as Proof Public Evidence The new society points to the bloodless bodies left by Robert Neville as proof of his monstrosity. Reversal His victims’ remains become historical testimony against him. Final Symbol His own wounded body becomes the last evidence of an obsolete humanity.

January 1976

1976年4月7日

January 1979