Living Lessons from Corpse Bride
by Dr. Marc T. Newman
September 30, 2005
(AgapePress) - Stories resonate most fully with us when they contain timeless truths, or when they convey a sense of the world as it should be. Despite the fantastic circumstances present in Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, Burton manages to infuse his comically gruesome story with just the kind of moral arc that can move an audience. You'll know you're hooked when you start rooting for Emily, the slightly decomposed Corpse Bride. Fair warning -- this analysis contains significant spoilers, so if you have not yet seen Corpse Bride but intend to, print this article and put it away until you have viewed the film. Feel free to print and take the discussion card from MovieMinistry.com as well, to guide the after-film discussion.
Some might complain that there is rough treatment of a priest in Corpse Bride, but I would contend that literature is filled with examples of clergy in the Victorian era who were more beholden to their patrons than to executing their office faithfully (Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice comes to mind). Others would argue that there is nothing explicitly Christian in the film -- and that is true. What we are seeing in Corpse Bride is a fairy tale, from which we are to derive principles. It is up to us to discuss them when the lights come up. The truths I found most compelling in Corpse Bride were its attention to the futile nature of human plans, its emphasis on self-sacrifice as a transformative act, its sly sense of justice, and its beautiful depiction of redemption.
Marc Newman's analysis continues below
Publication of this analysis does not constitute endorsement of the film discussed.
Warning: MPAA has given this film a PG rating for some scary images and action, and brief mild language. Plugged In says "while the setting is ghoulish and macabre" it is not "overly gruesome or gory" -- and cites one use of profane language when a "roguish" corpse quotes Rhett Butler's immortal line, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a d--n."
Plans
The Bible reserves some of its harshest words for the sin of pride because it attributes to humans a quality that exists only in God. People are not sovereign. As much as they would like to think that they wield power over their future, ultimately all humans can really do is their best. Many things lie outside our sphere of influence that can intrude and upset even our most well-laid plans. Planning is not pride, but James tells us that there is a kind of prideful planning that boasts of gain, when the end may be death (James 4:13-16).
It is this kind of pride-filled, self-serving planning that begins all of the trouble in Corpse Bride. Victor's parents, the Van Dorts, are wealthy merchants. Victoria's parents, the Everglots, are nobility. Neither is content. The Van Dorts covet status and the Everglots are greedy for wealth. Both sets of parents believe that by arranging a marriage between their children they each can selfishly get what they want. In the song that opens the film, the audience gets a look at the depth of their scheming as both sets of parents see the marriage going forward "according to plan."
And, of course, what gives the film its energy and moral tone is that nothing goes according to plan. It is fitting that the initial crisis begins when Victor cannot properly repeat his marriage vows at the rehearsal -- that final step of planning before the actual wedding. Amid horrid in-laws grousing and an impatient priest yelling, Victor flees to the woods and begins practicing his vows. In a final flourish, he places the wedding ring on what he thinks is a tree branch but is the skeletal hand of Emily, victim of a "murder most foul." She rises from the grave to accept his offer and become his wife. Oops.
Self-Sacrifice
The operational opposite of pride is self-sacrifice. Pride causes people to think that they are the center of the universe. Self-sacrifice places others first. Marriage is the human institution best designed to communicate this truth. The Bible calls upon wives to put their will aside and submit to their husbands, and for men to sacrifice themselves for their wives just as Christ did for the Church. Even outside of the marriage bond, Christians are taught to seek the welfare of others, even if it requires sacrifice to do so.
Initially, all three main characters in Corpse Bride seek what they want for themselves. Emily wants Victor, even if it means his death. Victor wants Victoria, even if he has to engage in subterfuge to get her. Emily wants Victor, even if she must employ supernatural force to bring him back. But what sets Corpse Bride apart from the average silly animated feature is the way storyteller Tim Burton weaves into the film separate turns of self-sacrifice. Victor, given an opportunity to get out of his marriage to Emily, chooses instead to honor his vows -- even make them again under life-threatening circumstances. Victoria, knowing that she could interfere and snatch Victor back, chooses self-sacrifice -- thinking first of Victor's happiness. And Emily, the Corpse Bride, gaining everything she hoped for, first by happenstance, and now by choice, determines to treat others as she would like to have been treated.
Justice
All good fairy stories, G.K. Chesterton tells us, must be based on justice. While mercy may be shown to the penitent, and grace to the seeker, those who persist in wickedness without remorse must pay the price. One of the reasons that fairy stories are so potent (well-written ones still work long into adulthood) is that they embody ideas that we intrinsically know to be true. No one ultimately escapes judgment.
Neither set of earthly parents in Corpse Bride are role models, but every good fairy tale needs a true villain. Lord Barkis is a preening, self-serving, money-grubbing poseur. Opportunistic in the extreme, he is constantly on the prowl for innocents to devour. His comeuppance is not only warranted, but clever -- it requires no intervention, he fittingly finds a way to destroy himself. The Bible tells us of people who appear to prosper even thought they are wicked, but we are assured that such people are snares to themselves. Lord Barkis is ripe for judgment, and Corpse Bride does not disappoint.
Redemption
Ultimately Corpse Bride is not about judgment, but redemption. The Scriptures explain that Jesus provided for our redemption through His death on the cross. Christians mimic redemption every time they die to self to serve others. Therefore it makes sense that Emily's spiritual liberation comes through self-sacrifice.
At the altar, mere moments from having the husband she desires, Emily has an epiphany. Seeing Victoria, Victor's intended, staring tearfully at the impending loss of her man, Emily realizes that if she goes through with the wedding she will have done to Victoria, figuratively, what had been done to her literally. By stepping aside, not choosing to enforce her prerogative, she has released the last thing holding her to earth and is transformed -- ascending to the heavens.
Some might complain about the images in Corpse Bride -- thinking them an inappropriate vehicle for spiritual truths. Fairy tales are not the Gospel -- they are a kind of myth. The purpose of myth is to teach a timeless truth in a simplified (and in this case, entertaining) way. It is up to Christians, who recognize the origins of these truths, to take the next step with viewers to talk about what they found meaningful and explore, "Why?"
Marc T. Newman, PhD (marc@movieministry.com) is the president of MovieMinistry.com -- an organization that provides sermon and teaching illustrations from popular film, and helps the Church use movies to reach out to others and connect with people.
