For example in industrialized England, women were divided into to moral classes. (1) The virginal angel, hoisted onto a pedestal of untouchable perfection or (2) the whore, discarded and thrust down into the ditch. There were no other options for women.
When I taught Anthropology classes in university there was one lecture in which we would talk about zombies and vampires as cultural references. I always brought up classic novel Dracula, a novel full of commentary about women and their place in society. (All you Twilight Fans- Go read it!!!) In this embodiment, vampires symbolized foreign infection, a real concern of this burgeoning industrial age.
Much of the vampire myth in our western industrialized culture can be traced back to this first dramatization of Dracula, the father of all vampires.
When I taught Anthropology classes in university there was one lecture in which we would talk about zombies and vampires as cultural references. I always brought up classic novel Dracula, a novel full of commentary about women and their place in society. (All you Twilight Fans- Go read it!!!) In this embodiment, vampires symbolized foreign infection, a real concern of this burgeoning industrial age.
Much of the vampire myth in our western industrialized culture can be traced back to this first dramatization of Dracula, the father of all vampires.
Bella, the victim
I hate to even mention this deplorable assault on womanhood here, but in the "Twilight" series, the heroine is a girl named Bella. Bella is a teenage girl who dramatically becomes emotionally attached to a vampire whose name is Edward. Bella spends the entire series passively letting the people around her make decisions, letting others save her. Her entire defining characteristic is her complete and utter devotion to Edward (who stalks her, filled with potential violence).
Interestingly, these books were written by a member of my church. I think that it is very revealing that this is the type of relationship that a woman in my church would idealize.
Interestingly, these books were written by a member of my church. I think that it is very revealing that this is the type of relationship that a woman in my church would idealize.
Buffy, the hero
An alternative to the concept of women as a victim, is the empowered female hero, for example in the television drama "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Buffy is a girl who initially fits all of the stereotypical traits of an idealized high school girl. But when she is given the responsibility to protecting humankind from evil, she rises to the challenge becoming physically and emotionally strong, selfless, and powerful. She too falls in love with a vampire, but when humanity is threatened she puts aside her feelings and does her duty.
Buffy was created and written by Joss Wedon, one of my favorite people I've never met. Mr. Wedon has continually pushed boundaries by creating female characters who are multifaceted and powerful. His characters are of course not completely realistic, but in comparison to most portrayals of women he is light years ahead of the staus quo.
So if, Industrial England was worried about foreigners and changes in woman's place in society, as evidenced by the novel Dracula, what do the stories of Bella and Buffy say about twenty-first century America?
Buffy was created and written by Joss Wedon, one of my favorite people I've never met. Mr. Wedon has continually pushed boundaries by creating female characters who are multifaceted and powerful. His characters are of course not completely realistic, but in comparison to most portrayals of women he is light years ahead of the staus quo.
So if, Industrial England was worried about foreigners and changes in woman's place in society, as evidenced by the novel Dracula, what do the stories of Bella and Buffy say about twenty-first century America?
