We all know how you're supposed to act as a part of the ruling council, and the defense force, and, of course, as a zombie, but what is your role in the group as a part of the citizenry?
On the first day of class when we were told to choose what role in our community we wanted to be I chose the position in citizenry because a) I'm incredibly indecisive and knew I wouldn't be able to make any decisions for my group and b) I don't particularly like speaking up in class very often. For these reasons I thought to myself, hm well in most zombie shows and films the citizens don't have to make too many decisions or speak up very often, sounds great to me!
In most of the texts that we have read there isn't too much to say about the citizenry because they don't stand out from the rest of the crowd. They're the people that those in the ruling council and defense force tell what to do, and how they should be feeling. For example, in "This Is Not a Test" Harrison seems to be the perfect model of of how those in the citizenry act in a zombie apocalypse. He doesn't make any important choices, doesn't help build the blockades, doesn't really give any input of any kind. He mostly just cries.
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| Citizenry in the background, just going about their daily lives |
The same applies to our discussions in class, when we all go around and discuss the different texts and how we would react to the storyline within the framework of our position in our communities. The people in the citizenry usually have the least amount to say because what really is there to say? You mostly react to those in a higher position of power or just follow along with the group. This herd mentality is present in the newest season of the Walking Dead in the town of Woodsbury. The people that live in that town seem to have no idea what is going on outside of the walls, nor do they seem to care. As a viewer you don't even get to hear anything about the citizens of the town, we only learn about the Governor (Ruling Council) and the members of the Defense Force, which includes Merle. The people of the town are just in the background doing who knows what (considering the camera is hardly ever directly pointed at them). All we know about them is what we see in passing or when they occasionally say something. The citizens of Woodsbury are actually portrayed as being dumb in the Walking Dead because they don't question what the ruling council and defense force is doing and they don't seem to be doing anything particularly helpful to keep the town secure. They are simply living within the confines of the leaders rules. In the most recent episode (for those that saw it), we finally got to see the citizenry question the Governor's authority and start to act up but unfortunately, this only lasted a few minutes before they were shut down. Within the role of citizenry, how should you really act, should you assert yourself or try to blend in with the rest of the crowd?
I strongly agree!
But I also think the citizens of Woodsbury are detached from the zombie crisis because of their mock community.
The Governor and his select few are doing what is necessary, albeit disgusting. The rest of the community is hiding from the reality of a cruel new world that in the end teaches us nothing.
Think hopelessly Darwinian.
I think citizens with a really strong ruler, such as those in Woodbury, are not necessarily dumb, but are actually just very naive and sheltered. In a situation such as the zombie apocalypse where you know that things are very dangerous, it's probably just easy to accept when a leader tells you everything is going to be okay. Especially in the case of Woodbury where they have a sense of community and normal life, it could be easy to turn the other cheek and go about your daily business.
To me, the citizenry are the people who don't have skills(or physical ability) that are directly applicable to survival/combat, and don't have enough assertiveness/desire for authority to be on the ruling council.They don't stand out from the crowd because they are the crowd. However, I consider them to be in many ways the most important part of a post-apocalyptic community; they are the social barometer as well as the repository on non-zombie knowledge.
In shows like walking dead, there is always going to be Shane types and Rick types. People who are survivors for survivals sake and people who fight to hold onto humanity even if it's more dangerous. While in a town with only one strong leader(that we see) like Woodsbury, the citizens may not be important, because anyone who speaks out is attempting to be part of the ruling council. However, the citizens are vital when there is a divide in the ruling council, and can potentially decide whether to rebuild humanity or degenerate into predatory raiders(or if it's a campy/amazing enough story perhaps a 'death cult' of some kind).
As for being a repository of knowledge, the collective "citizens" no doubt have skills that the other forces lack. You certainly may want soldiers manning the walls, but they probably won't do half as well as the aging plumber from New Brunswick at keeping fresh water flowing. You can't have a functioning society without all those little pieces of knowledge.
In addition to the plumber from New Brunswick, let us not forget the scientists, engineers, psychologists (this role may especially important, not that I'm biased - insert emoticon here),and other folk that are more than just background. There is a purpose to every role in the community, and not everyone can shoot guns, or make snap decisions that effect the entire group. The citizenry is responsible for reminding those who are defending the group or leading the group why they are fighting to do so. We need people, and, not to get too President Laura Roslin from Battlestar Galactica - although anyone in a leadership role in one of these communities might want to check out some of her one-liners from the show - we need these people to start making babies. Only if they want to, of course, and only when its safe, relatively speaking, but without the baby-making, there will be no future generations to keep the human race from extinction. So go forth and survive, and procreate, if the mood strikes you.
"We need these people to start making babies."
Love how this thread went from a plumber in New Brunswick to Battlestar Galactica to Rachel's consensual baby making time.
How do you set the mood during the zombie apocalypse? Candles?
I think the citizens play a very important role in any type of zombie apocalypse. They give hope to any group of survivors, hope that normal life is possible. If you only have rulers and a defense force, or an army, you will most likely plunder around without every establishing any means of civilization. The citizens are the ones that bring back the things that make society work. They will be the ones growing food for the group, educating the youth and restoring everyday life and culture. The citizens are the last gateway to reality.
I believe we are misunderstanding the difference between Civilian and Citizen. Although the members of Woodbury as mentioned could technically be considered Citizens, they vivify a character archetype that is purely Civilian in nature. A citizen is someone who is engaged in their community, and does not sit idly by and "exist".
Let us look at Andrea for an example. She is the ideal CITIZEN: At first she fulfills the civilian role but quickly becomes engaged with the zombie problem and avidly wants to help out. She chooses to do something about the zombie situation. She learns how to shoot, how to clean her gun. Although she is sometimes overzealous, she means well. She understands very quickly that idly "existing" while there is a problem in the world is the same as waiting to die.
Everyone has to earn their place.
Ain't no civilian-citizen gonna lay around all damn day and then expect food from the group. Duh!
I think your points on being a citizen are very valid. Being a civilian as well in our class subdivisions definitely takes on an interesting role. I like your point on how civilians so often just become group oriented and lack individuality when it comes to decision making. Playing on the basketball team, I understand the importance of working together. At the same time though, I feel during a zombie Apocalypse its extremely important to take ownership and be proactive in survival for yourself (and family). One of the main things we talked about in class is how in the novel,their is a lack of urgency upon the people in the school to keep themselves in a position to succeed against them. Not to say i would turn my back on the other people I am with but I would make sure that I am looking out for my safety and doing what I need to do in order to protect myself. So far I have really enjoyed taking on the role of the citizen as it easy to put yourself in the "shoes" of someone who is trying to fight for their survival. I very often ask myself different question and possibilities that could potentially help or hurt me in my survival.
After Mickey's post, I can't resist-
"The difference lies in the field of civic virtue. A citizen accepts personal responsibility for the safety of the body politic, of which he is a member, defending it, if need be, with his life. The civilian does not."-Johnny Rico
Yo Rachel, GREAT BattleStar reference. If the citizens don't start making babies, well... they might as well start making a countdown to extinction. And talk about the bottleneck effect....fewer humans means greater chance of genetic inbreeding and homogeneity. We can kiss genetic variability goodbye.