To what extent is the vampire representative of the context it was created in?

Gothic literature originated in response to a period of rapid societal, cultural, and theological change in nineteenth Europe. Works written in this time focused on the representation of fear in the face of dissolution of traditional structures, gender roles and religion. The resurgence of vampire fiction in the late twentieth century presents a different image of the vampire figure, appropriate to the changing societal values and nature of our world. Bram Stokers novel “Dracula” (1897) is compared to the Catherine Hardwicke’s film “Twilight” (2008) to display the development of conventional archetypes and tropes of the vampire into a more contemporary context. …show more content…
Women who had ambitions beyond marriage, domesticity and child-rearing were portrayed as promiscuous and deluded, and was thought to be represented as a threat to the conservative society. Similarly, men also feared sexual excess and called for moderation. Stoker metaphorically depicts sexuality as a threat to civilised society, the connection of sexual fulfilment and death is a definitive characteristic of Stoker’s use of the vampire archetype. Through the lustful nature of Lucy Westenra, Stoker depicts societies fear of women becoming increasingly familiar with their sexuality. Her death is representative of the consequences when her chastity is shattered and her character was replaced by a creature whose presence emanated a raw, animalistic desire. (quote?). In present day…[what has changed??] Edward says to Bella “you’re like my own personal brand of heroine” suggesting his lustful passion for her blood which pertains to sexual desire. However he trains himself to ignore this thirst and practices abstinence in order to protect her. Her physical safety becomes a symbolic substitute for her virginity and chastity. Edward is able to maintain a satisfying relationship without having a physical or sexual …show more content…
The allure of the unknown was considered exhilarating and terrifying, but many perceived the pursuit of knowledge as dangerous. Count Dracula’s characterization reflects a societies’ emphasis on religion, where it pervaded social and political life. Van Helsing, a scientist and vampire killer in the novel says “We have on our side a power denied to the vampire kind; we have sources of science; we are free to act and think.” This displays the newly emerging idea of science as a means of power, and ultimately leading to the fear of it in the face of people in the Victorian era. As a result of secularisation, the role of religion in modern societies has become restricted. Through modernization and rationalization, religion had lost its authority in all aspects of social life and governance. Instead the rise of technology and rational thinking has undermined faith and religion. In the film, Bella is shown to research the vampire in attempt to find out Edwards true identity, using technology and logical reasoning to arrive at a conclusion. This reflects the modernization and advancement in science that continues to develop in our contemporary society. As the values of society have shifted, the vampire figure has altered in order to reflect notions and attitudes of the