vampires

[noplacebo]

i don't know if anyone's came up with this before, anyhow here's my take. i think that bram stokers dracula, and the multitude of re-telling's, most recently culminating in the twilight series, seem to resonate within people a deeper understanding of the hardships of life. in the original the count stood for the aristocracy, living off the lifeblood of the lower classes, where our lives are cut short due to the whims of the elite, and our wealth is siphoned off and devoured by the chosen, not only do they think themselves to be different to us weaklings, but are drunk on the power of our prostrate subjugation, and we feel helpless in the clutches of their imagined superiority.

[Continuity]

Hmm - could be, could be.

In that case, what do you think might explain the symbology of the crucifixes and garlic etc.?

[Peter]

One of the early interpretations of "Nosferatu" was "children of the night".

Fear of the dark (the unknown) was a hallmark of the middle ages. What creatures there might be beyond our sight and knowledge was encouraged so that the peasantry could be kept in thrall. Relating this paradigm to a "foreigner" was typical of the Anglo disdain for the "Wogs".

When you can combine two stereotypes AND have them embody absolute evil as well as being vanquished by men of good faith, what better propaganda for the continuance of British imperialism? The Balkans were not just a powderkeg, they were tinder for European intrigues and even in modern times, a source of profitable conflict for the PTB.

As allegory for good versus evil, clearly having to invite it into your domain is classic. Also, their weakness being the light of day (garlic and holy water notwithstanding) just solidifies the metaphor.

Everything can be described in terms of universal principles but the intricacies of our humanity are always revealed by the nature of our hopes and fears.