Cowboys, Angels, and Demons:rnAmerican Exceptionalism and the Frontier Myth in the CW’s Supernatural

摘要

The CW network series Supernatural (2005–) draws its text from the horror and fantasyrngenres as well as religious mythology. Concurrently, it transmits a core ‘‘American’’rnmythos. As its protagonists keep watch along a supernatural frontier and eradicaternthreats to the American way of life, this program both reinforces and alters aspects ofrnthe frontier myth and the myth of American exceptionalism by depicting its main charactersrnas representations of America writ large whose mission has grown from anrnappointment by God to being equals to God. In this manner, Supernatural forwards arnnew American exceptionalism through the notion that America is exceptional becausernit is not just divinely appointed by God, but is divine itself.