With Dracula, Bram Stoker has created one of the biggest icons of modern literature. The ground-breaking novel has never been out of print since its release in 1897, and it introduced the figure of the vampire into the literary canon and also to millions of readers. From the beginning, the evil Count was read — by scholars as well as the ordinary audience — not only as a frightening monster but as a metaphor for the deeply conservative, moralistic and patriarchal Western and Victorian society of nineteenth century Britain. After a while of tranquility in terms of the vampire being a social phenomenon, it has regained its relevance since the end of the twentieth century by reaching a new peak of popularity, that lasts until today: books such as The Historian and The Twilight saga, movies such as the different film adaptations of Dracula and Interview with a Vampire and TV-shows such as The Vampire Diaries and the more mature True Blood show that the notion of the villain with the fangs enjoys much resonance amongst almost all age groups. This brings up the question whether the vampire and its central characteristics still are a suitable metaphor and embodiment for repressed desires, passions and issues of today’s globalized and secular Western society, as it was the case with the original Count Dracula from 1897. This essay aims at giving an answer to the question whether the traditional role, idea and utilization of the vampire character established as an expression of the latent social problems, fears and developments are still applicable today, and how the depiction of the vampire and especially the issues which it indicates have changed in today’s world. This will be done by by comparing Bram Stoker’s Dracula with Alan Ball’s show True Blood. Due to the limited extent of this essay, the focus will be concentrated on two aspects that are, nevertheless, significant and ostensive: one the one hand, the origin of the vampire and the particular setting of the plot; on the other hand, the vampire’s depiction, its powers and the crucial role of the blood. By that, this essays hopes to show — with a focus on Dracula — that the vampire is still an important metaphor, valve and symbol for contemporary ambitions, disputes and affairs just as it was over a hundred years ago for Victorian society.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Analysis and Comparison: Dracula and True Blood
- Origin of the Vampire and the Setting of the Plot
- The Vampire's Depiction, Powers and the Role of Blood
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines the enduring relevance of the vampire as a metaphor for societal anxieties, comparing Bram Stoker's Dracula with Alan Ball's True Blood. It investigates whether the vampire's traditional role in reflecting repressed desires and social issues remains applicable in contemporary society. The analysis focuses on two key aspects: the vampire's origin and setting, and the vampire's depiction, powers, and the significance of blood.
- The evolution of the vampire as a metaphor for societal anxieties across different historical contexts.
- A comparison of the portrayal of vampires and their symbolism in Dracula and True Blood.
- The role of setting and cultural context in shaping the vampire's representation.
- The significance of blood as a central element in the vampire mythos and its connection to themes of power and social dynamics.
- The exploration of anxieties surrounding cultural invasion, racial prejudice, and the fear of the "other".
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central question of the essay: whether the vampire, as a symbol of repressed desires and social anxieties, remains relevant in contemporary society. It introduces Bram Stoker's Dracula as a foundational text in the vampire genre and notes the resurgence of vampire-themed works in recent decades, highlighting the enduring appeal of this figure. The essay proposes to compare Dracula with True Blood to explore how the vampire's depiction and the associated social issues have evolved. The limited scope of the essay focuses specifically on the vampire's origin and setting, as well as its depiction, powers, and the role of blood.
Analysis and Comparison: Dracula and True Blood: This chapter delves into a comparative analysis of Dracula and True Blood. It explores how the socio-political context of late 19th-century Britain shaped Stoker's depiction of Dracula, emphasizing the anxieties surrounding national decline, racial "othering," and anti-Semitism. The chapter highlights how Transylvania is portrayed as a contrasting backdrop to London, representing the wild, superstitious "other" threatening civilized society. In contrast, the setting of True Blood in Bon Temps, Louisiana, is examined as a reflection of contemporary issues surrounding racial integration and discrimination in the American South. The chapter argues that the vampires in True Blood function as a metaphor for marginalized groups struggling for equal rights, drawing parallels to the Civil Rights Movement. This section links the vampire's struggle for acceptance to the broader themes of cultural integration and xenophobia.
Keywords
Vampire, Dracula, True Blood, Gothic literature, social commentary, cultural anxieties, racial prejudice, xenophobia, integration, marginalization, blood, power, societal metaphor, Victorian era, Southern Gothic.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Dracula and True Blood
What is the main focus of this essay?
This essay examines the enduring relevance of the vampire as a metaphor for societal anxieties, comparing Bram Stoker's Dracula with Alan Ball's True Blood. It investigates whether the vampire's traditional role in reflecting repressed desires and social issues remains applicable in contemporary society.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The key themes include the evolution of the vampire as a metaphor across historical contexts; a comparison of vampire portrayal and symbolism in Dracula and True Blood; the role of setting and cultural context in shaping the vampire's representation; the significance of blood as a central element and its connection to power and social dynamics; and the exploration of anxieties surrounding cultural invasion, racial prejudice, and the fear of the "other".
Which aspects of the vampire mythos are analyzed in detail?
The analysis focuses on two key aspects: the vampire's origin and setting, and the vampire's depiction, powers, and the significance of blood. These elements are compared and contrasted between Dracula and True Blood to highlight their evolving symbolic meaning.
How does the essay compare Dracula and True Blood?
The essay compares the socio-political context of late 19th-century Britain (in Dracula) with contemporary American society (in True Blood) to understand how these contexts shape the vampire's representation. It explores how Transylvania in Dracula represents the "other" threatening civilized society, while Bon Temps, Louisiana in True Blood reflects issues surrounding racial integration and discrimination. The comparison highlights how the vampire functions as a metaphor for marginalized groups in both contexts.
What is the significance of blood in the context of the essay?
Blood is analyzed as a central element in the vampire mythos, symbolizing power and social dynamics. The essay explores how the significance of blood and its connection to themes of power and social dynamics has evolved between Dracula and True Blood.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The introduction establishes the central question and introduces the two texts. The main analysis chapter delves into the comparative analysis of Dracula and True Blood, exploring the socio-political contexts shaping the vampire's depiction and its symbolic meaning in each work.
What are the keywords associated with this essay?
Vampire, Dracula, True Blood, Gothic literature, social commentary, cultural anxieties, racial prejudice, xenophobia, integration, marginalization, blood, power, societal metaphor, Victorian era, Southern Gothic.
What is the overall conclusion of the essay (implied)?
The implied conclusion suggests that the vampire, as a potent symbol, continues to reflect and illuminate contemporary societal anxieties, though the specific anxieties and their representation have evolved over time.
- Quote paper
- Jan Hurta (Author), 2017, The Vampire as a Metaphor for Social Desires, Anxieties and Problems in Fin-de-Siècle and the 21st Century. Comparing Bram Stoker’s "Dracula" and Alan Ball’s "True Blood", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/444919
