There are two levels of vampirism: one is the regular vampire, which is just like it has always been; and then there’s the super vampires, which are a new breed we’ve created. –Guillermo del Toro
Vampires have historically been known as ill-mannered, physically assaulting, and malicious. However, recently the vampire figure has adapted into a charming, soft-spoken, and attractive being. Throughout history, many vampires, created in novels and cinema, represent just how much the roles have changed. Through the adaption of physical characteristics, behavior mechanisms, and relationships, the historically villainous vampire, Count Dracula has now become the 21st century heart throb known as Edward Cullen.
Most are familiar with the typical image of a vampire. Long-fanged teeth, blood-thirsty eyes, and ice-cold skin are all associated with its physique. This character was made popular in the 19th century, after the publication of Bram Stoker’s, Dracula. The intended audience was focused primarily towards the middle-aged, victorian Englishmen who were fascinated with the idea of evil and corruption. The Victorian era was a time of refined sensibilities and moral standards, and the readers wanted that small glimpse into the future that represented ideals outside the social norm. Some victorian fans even called it “the sensation of the season” and “the most blood-curdling novel of the paralyzed century”(1). Dracula was known for his deformities like his pointed ears and sharp teeth that went well past his lips. Readers enjoyed this type of disfigurement because it added to the mystery and complexity behind this abominable creature. However, as the audiences demands changed overtime, romance swept the shelves and movie screens around the country. The 21st century vampire figure is quite the contrary of that dark, monstrous being. Author, Stephanie Myers, takes vampirism to a new level of physicality in her saga, Twilight. Take the character, Edward Cullen, for example, who has been quite the “romeo” figure since the publication in 2005. He does not wear long black capes or dingy clothing, but is somewhat humanized appearing very modern. Edward Cullen was supposed to represent this idealistic boyfriend, who had beautiful eye coloration and was noted as extraordinarily handsome. The adaption from the grotesque, austere Dracula to the beautiful, soft Edward Cullen represents the need for character’s features to adapt along with society’s desires of the time.
On the right, Count Dracula has wrinkly skin, and distorted features, while Edward Cullen has flowing-gelled hair and soft, radiant skin. These cinematic photos show the changes in the vampire figures physicality as time and ideals have progressed.
Along with physical appearance, vampires behaviorism has adapted to give the audience just what they want. It was not typical to see a vampire driving down the road in a car in the middle of the day. Most vampires were perceived to stay in during the day and sleep in their coffins. Count Dracula was even rendered powerless in the daytime. Dracula was also unable to go into a victim’s home unless he is invited. On the contrary, Edward Cullen does not sleep and is able to use his superhuman strength and quickness in the daylight. He also is seen sneaking into Bella’s room at night to watch her sleep. The vampire’s ability to take his human girlfriend for rides on his back through the forest during the day and watch her when she sleeps adds to the twisted, romantic plot the audience craves. Another difference is the vampire was historically known to get his energy from sucking the blood from a human, but the 21st century vampires were known to kill only animals for energy. This adaption was made so the vampire figure appeared soft and more appealing to younger audiences, specifically teenage girls. Violence is also a key factor that reflects the adaption from the convulsive vampires to the more passive vampires. In the older vampire story, Dracula was known for gruesome and brutal killings, which is not the same case today. Most of the violence in Twilight saga is simply implied or between two vampires. Also, crosses and holy waters were often used to scare away vampires, because religion was a common topic in the time period that Dracula originated. However, religion is a very sensitive topic in the 21st century and is left out purposely. These behavior differences of the vampires were shaped to appropriately intrigue the different audiences according to customs and ideals of that time.
Relations between vampires and humans has not always been as pleasant as they appear after the start of the new millennium. Vampires have historically been known to be loners, and if they did form groups it would be loosely. The only people in Dracula’s life were those who he held captive or turned into vampires. However, in Twilight’s version, the whole family of vampires unites in protection of each other. The idea that the vampires had families shows compassion, love, and tenderness added to the gravitating connection between the vampires and the readers. The vampires in Twilight often appear celebrating birthdays and even playing baseball together as a family. These common activities really hit home for the audience’s of the 21st century, because baseball and celebrations are things that America has grown to enjoy. Typically, vampires were also known to fright people. In a cinematic version of Dracula, Dracula is seen scaring several humans just be his demeanor and entrance into the room.This is greatly contrasted in the Twilight movie when Belle admits that she is not afraid of Edward after she discovers he is a vampire. Vampires had no true representation of compassion for others in the past, because they were only driven by the will to manipulate and fix their wicked desires. The new vampires revolve around affection, passion, and bliss. Dracula only viewed woman as an object to suck the life out of, but since the targeted audience for this new version of the vampire was for women, the story lines were set around the true love and romance. Relationships impact the audience’s view on a character. If a character is capable of being loved, then the audience will be more prone to accept them and draw connections.
Vampirism is continuously changing to meet the desires of the intended audiences as well as reflect the current time period. Everything from their physical appearance, behaviorism, and relationships have changed. If society longs for the desire to see evil, then the vampire is used as a character of that nature. On the contrary, if society wants to feel the romance of successful relationships that were not meant to be, then the vampire is used as the protagonist. Historically, humans were not supposed to be entangled or hold relations with the evil and corruption that was associated with the vampire figure . Today, we can use vampires as a mirror of our inner mind because they show society’s accepting attitude to touch and live with darkness. Vampires are unable to see their own reflection, but they have and always will be a constantly changing reflection of society’s disguised, sinful desires.
Clips Cited
Bram Stoker’s Dracula – http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-j6b4Cd3OZo#t=177s
Eclipse Clip “Bed Scene”-official – http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=cBE0PTIcIq8#t=64s
Edward – Driving Home – A New Deleted Scene From New Moon ( Special DvD- http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=congoYp4zH0#t=32s
I Know What You Are – http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=HvWx0flvdxw#t=0s
Spider Monkey~ – http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=rsZZzjpi8Xo#t=19s
Twilight baseball scene – http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=JiPeI3U6ffo#t=43s
Twilight: New Moon- The Paper Cut – http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=oMwejMoPWR4#t=1s
Works Cited
1. Richard Dalby “Bram Stoker”, in Jack Sullivan (ed) The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural, 1986, Viking, pp. 404-6, 405.
With Eyes I See 