Commercialising Ghosts: A Study of Various Illustrations in Entertainment Industries

Abstract

Ghosts very frequently feature in media but it has been commonly observed that in different entertainment industries, their depictions greatly vary depending on the culture of the particular geographical location. This dissertation will aim to explore the significance of their appearances in different contexts and each of their connotations. Even their nature and their acceptance in the society seem to be quite different. In Bengali culture, while there are designated categories of ghosts having unique traits and roles and thereby are known by various names accordingly, in western culture there is not much relevance of this. Not all ghosts are fearsome, often in films and television shows, there appear ghosts who protect and safeguard the interest of the characters around or their own successors from unwanted circumstances. Likewise, we also find very similar contexts in the Western media presentations, where there are different mentions of household gods who function in a very similar manner, preserving the members of the houses along with the assets of the families.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.65525/SVUP.9788196793241.2025.140-147