Predominant Themes

Let us take a break from the novels and movies and examine some of the prevailing themes within Vampire literature.

There are many to choose from the two of the most predominant are: Blood and Mortality.

Blood

I'm sure we all know that blood is the essence of life and a cherished substance. Within Vampire literature, it is no different. Blood is what keeps the Vampire alive and human, despite the fact that they have no soul and that they're you know....dead.

Vampire have always drank the blood of pure and virtuous women. By why? What is it about these pure women that appeals so much to these vampires? The answer is simple: their innocence. Once the vampire sucks her blood, not only has she lost blood, but in the figurative sense, she has fallen from innocence.

Mortality

Mortality is a major issue in vampire literature and movies. It is known that a vampire cannot be killed by any ordinary means. They must get a stake to the heart and their head's cut off. However, one Vampire, thus far has yet to receive punishment. This character is none other than John Polidori's Lord Ruthven. Bram Stoker's Dracula, on the other hand, does meet his end. It is said that the soul of the Vampire cannot be freed unless they are killed and given a chance to 'redeem' their sins.

Dracula's true colours

Last week, I talked about the Dracula sequel. This week, I'm re-examining the original Dracula...once again on the big screen. 'Bram stoker's Dracula' directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is yet another adaption of the original story. However, it is by far the most accurate.

Within this movie, Dracula is known as Prince Vlad the Impaler. When Dracula first appears in present time, he is a very ancient looking gentlemen. His rather interesting hair gives him the appearance of medieval times, making him stand out a little in the current time period.

Dracula's shadow is one of the more interesting features about Coppola's Vampire. It has a mind of its own, moving on its own accord and makes itself known before the actual man himself. In one scene of movie, it even tries to strangle Johnathan Harker without any success since Dracula's physical body isn't preforming the action.

The Vampire figure within the film harbors a hatred for Christian icons. His movements are almost ghost-like in natures as the film progresses and he still has the ability to scale the walls like a lizard. However, one difference is that this vampire can still walk around during the day rather than sleeping in a coffin and rising only in the night.

His transformation into his true form is a hideous one. No words can describe his physical appearance, other than down right scary. Perhaps I should show you instead:

Lovely thing, isn't he? Although the movie was decent, I personally don't think it does justice to the novel.

 What are your thoughts? I'm eager to hear. Check out the trailer: 

The Original Dracula

Now let's take a different spin on things and hit the books. One of the classical pieces of Vampire novels is none other than Bram Stoker's Dracula. Published in 1897, it was one of the few Vampire stories at the time. Despite not being the first (that honor is given to John Polidori), it is certainly the most influential of the Vampire genre. Stoker's Count is, in my personal opinion, an incredibly brilliant character. His charming demeanor takes a turn for the worse, warping into something similar to a conniving and disdainful nature. Johnathan Harker, who is at first soothed by the Count's presence quickly realizes just how wrong he had been in his judgement. Dracula's appearance also has a voice of its own. Stoker describes him as having “a strong aquiline face, with high bridge of the thin nose and particularly arched nostrils; with lofty domed forehead, and hair growing scantily around the temples, but profusely elsewhere” (pg 22). I don't know about you, but I picture this:

Photo Credit: Mobcsene on Devianart

Perhaps not with the rather...interesting hair poof but, you get the general picture. Stoker's Dracula seems a little different with a full mouth of pointed teeth and red eyes. Upon closer examination, he does bear very close similarities to Murnau's Nosferatu. Appearance aside, Dracula has the strength of twenty men and has the ability to appear at will (with some limitations) wherever he wishes in a number of different shapes. A truly terrifying fiend, to say the least.

What are your thoughts on the book?