To understand what makes vampires attractive to people nowadays, at first one has to look at the vampire myth and where it comes from. Next this paper will look into the supernatural abilities the vampires in Bram Stoker's "Dracula" and Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire" have. After that it will focuse on the characters and their relationships to each other. In the end, the results will be summarized and brought into relation with today’s society.
The vampires in media nowadays own seductive attributes and superpowers. These are attributes the first vampire in literature, Count Dracula, did not have. Nevertheless, Bram Stoker´s Gothic novel "Dracula", written in 1897, laid the foundations for all vampire genres afterwards. Count Dracula was the first vampire in history who became so famous that everybody still knows him today. He has some superpowers but no romantic or sexual interests and no human soul, whereas, Anne Rice’s vampires from the novel "Interview with the Vampire", written in 1973, have these attributes. Rice’s vampires were the first ones who had a soul and feelings. Hence they were the example for the modern vampires of the 20th and 21th century.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Vampire myth
III. Supernatural abilities
IV. Characters
V. Relationships of characters
VI. Conclusion
VII. Works Cited
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper explores the evolution of the vampire figure in literature, specifically comparing the archetypal representation in Bram Stoker's "Dracula" with the modern, humanized vampires found in Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire." The research investigates how these shifts reflect changing societal values, particularly regarding individuality, morality, and the human desire for eternal life.
- The historical origin and evolution of the vampire myth.
- A comparative analysis of supernatural abilities and character traits.
- The significance of interpersonal relationships and family structures within vampire narratives.
- The influence of modern societal ideals—such as beauty, youth, and morality—on the portrayal of monsters in popular culture.
- The allegory of economic and technological change represented by the vampire figure.
Excerpt from the Book
I. Introduction
The vampires in media nowadays own seductive attributes and superpowers. These are attributes the first vampire in literature, Count Dracula, did not have. Nevertheless, Bram Stoker´s Gothic novel Dracula, written in 1897, laid the foundations for all vampire genres afterwards. Count Dracula was the first vampire in history who became so famous that everybody still knows him today. He has some superpowers but no romantic or sexual interests and no human soul, whereas, Anne Rice’s vampires from the novel Interview with the Vampire, written in 1973, have these attributes. Rice’s vampires were the first ones who had a soul and feelings. Hence they were the example for the modern vampires of the 20th and 21th century.
As Butler detected rightly, not “all vampires inhabit Gothic castles, and they do not uniformly display the powers of sexual seduction that many enthusiasts consider their distinguishing feature” (1). It is obvious that today every vampire has its own personality and is characterized through different features. When Anne Rice published her novel in 1973, she “turned the vampire paradigm on its head. This breakthrough novel focused [...] on the vampires themselves- and what a different breed they were” (Benefiel, 261). From the novel Interview with the Vampire till today vampires have feelings and souls and sometimes they fall in love with humans like in Stephanie Meyer’s famous Twilight- Saga. As one can see the myth Dracula lives on even two centuries later in the new TV series Dracula with Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the main role. In this series, Dracula is a ladies’ man and very sexual.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: This chapter introduces the shift from the traditional, soulless vampire to the modern, sentient vampire, establishing the core comparison between Stoker's Dracula and Rice's characters.
II. Vampire myth: This section details the historical origins of vampire folklore, discussing how early misconceptions regarding corpse decomposition contributed to the undead myth.
III. Supernatural abilities: This chapter examines the specific powers attributed to vampires in both novels, contrasting the traditional monstrous nature with more nuanced, human-like traits.
IV. Characters: This analysis focuses on the character development of the protagonists, contrasting the static, predatory nature of Count Dracula with the dynamic, morally conflicted individuals in Rice's work.
V. Relationships of characters: This chapter explores how vampires interact with others, comparing the isolated, solitary existence of the Count with the complex, family-like groupings found in Rice's narrative.
VI. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes how the evolution of the vampire reflects modern human desires for eternal youth and beauty, while acknowledging the vampire's ongoing adaptability as a cultural allegory.
Keywords
Vampire, Dracula, Interview with the Vampire, Literature, Myth, Supernatural, Sentience, Evolution, Morality, Identity, Society, Modernity, Sexuality, Family, Folklore
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the literary evolution of the vampire figure from a traditional monstrous archetype to a modern, morally complex character who possesses human-like emotions and consciousness.
Which specific literary works are analyzed?
The primary focus is a comparative analysis between Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula" and Anne Rice's 1973 novel "Interview with the Vampire."
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to demonstrate how the changing portrayal of the vampire reflects shifting societal values, such as the human obsession with youth, beauty, and moral ambiguity.
What research methodology is employed?
The paper utilizes a comparative literary analysis, examining character traits, supernatural capabilities, and interpersonal relationship structures within the chosen texts.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body explores the history of vampire myths, specific supernatural abilities, character psychologies, and the significance of family/relational structures within the vampire lore.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Vampire, Literature, Myth, Evolution, Morality, and Modernity.
How does the author characterize the shift in vampire identity?
The author argues that the vampire has shifted from being a "loner" and a "bloodsucking evil" to becoming an individual who struggles with conscience and moral identity, mirroring human development.
What role does the "family" play in Anne Rice's novels?
The paper identifies that Rice portrays the vampire as part of a constructed family unit, which the author links to the influence of the American nuclear family ideal.
Why does the author suggest Count Dracula remains a popular icon?
Beyond being a monster, the Count is analyzed as an allegory for global, economic, and bureaucratic changes in the world, allowing him to stay relevant in contemporary culture.
How do modern vampire narratives relate to beauty standards?
The paper posits that the modern vampire, who is consistently beautiful, young, and immortal, reflects contemporary society's obsession with anti-aging, plastic surgery, and the ideal of eternal youth.
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- Laura Commer (Autor:in), 2014, Vampire fiction then and now. A Comparison of Bram Stoker's “Dracula” and Anne Rice's “Interview with the Vampire”, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/338475
