A Literary Analysis of Zombie Love Play by Earl T. Roske

Earl T. Roske's portrait of a mixed relationship in an unaccepting world is the embodiment of his 2011 short-play Zombie Love. There is a comedic tone to the dialogue that dampens the overall theme of stereotypes and discrimination in today's society. Emily and Walter are a happy couple, and the fact that Walter is a zombie has no bearing on their love for each other. The allusion to people of color while using Walter as an allegory provides a slow realization as to what the main intent of this 10 minute play is truly about.

I found myself entrenched in the scenario as it plays brilliantly on the duality of society. On one hand Roske is using a zombie as his niche since he realizes modern day society has a fascination with the so called 'undead'. The duality comes when something as beloved as the zombie in modern day pop culture is used to analogize racism and xenophobia. The laughs are real with how real the dialogue becomes in accordance to Walter's actions, which are also funnily written out and described. The comedic tone really does soften the blow when the reader realizes more and more that Emily's friend Kathy really does perpetuate hatrid with no quit.

Roske has created a vast gap between the plot of Zombie Love and its theme. The plot literally follows a woman named Emily who is in a relationship with a zombie named Walter. Emily's friend Kathy makes her aware that people are judging the relationship, yet Emily refuses to care what others think. The theme is moreso who these women represent in relationship to society. Katy is the scoffing public and Emily is the self aware individual who has let go of ego, and sees no barriers between anyone in the world. Again, the duality of this play is what makes it so enjoyable. Both the comedy and the tragedy of Zombie Love make it a very enjoyable piece of writing and theatre.