Warm Bodies: zombie vs. human

Much of this story revolves around the concept of identity. Zombie stories usually are separated into a protaganist group (the "Living") and the antagonists (the "Dead"). However, in this story, Marion creates a gray area in between these two starkly contrasting beings. The narrator and protagonist, R, is introduced as a zombie, but it is clear from the beginning that he is different from the rest. It is clear that much more goes on his mind than just feeding to keep from becoming corpses. He has very complex thoughts, and desires to understand things. "Lights flash and screens blink, machines jolt into motion. I cherish these moments. The feeling of things coming to life" (p. 5). R has an infatuation and longing for life. "In my mind I am eloquent; I can climb intricate scaffolds of words to reach the highest cathedral ceilings and paint my thoughts. But when I open my mouth, it all collapses" (p. 10). This indicates that perhaps his soul is not so lost as the other zombies. He is not as "dead" as the others, because he still wishes and hopes for life. As the story progresses, some conflict arises as to whether or not R is truly a zombie. When he meets Julie, he begins to display even more signs of life, namely emotions. Emotions are something that are purely characteristic of living humans. "This has become clearer and clearer to me recently, a desire so sharp and focused I can't believe it's mine: I don't want to die. I don't want to disappear. I want to stay" (p. 64). He now feels purpose again, he has a reason for living. This is one of the first blatant indicators that R is changing.