Contemporary vampire saga, twilight - Essay Example

tive of the vampire as one that went for what it desired, contrary to the modern vampire who exhibits better reasoning capabilities towards relationships and has human values. The vampire series gives the perception of love and relationships as being indiscriminate and binding in that Bella and Edward fall deep in love despite their different natures. On matters of gender, the contemporary vampire does not portray the woman as inferior and as only a target for vampires; Bella and Edward’s intense love relationship proves this.

The ancient/gothic depiction of the vampire painted it as ruthless, bloodthirsty, and horrific, only driven by its desires, and portraying minute (insignificant) humanity in it. This is most evident in that it was seen mostly attacking women and children after destroying their protectors (men), and has to kill in order to live. However, the contemporary vampire is portrayed as being attractive and reasonable, with few [necessary] killings. Another aspect is that in the new form of the vampire, it possesses emotion and even falls in love with real humans, exhibiting acts of romance and chivalry, all of which are admirable.

This is so unlike the gothic vampire who only perceives of women as targets to kill. Finally, and with regard to social relationships and values, the contemporary vampire constructs, rather than destroy. In the ancient ones’ portrayal, the vampire would invade relationships thus destroy them; however, the contemporary one actually takes part in constructing and maintaining them, as it is seen relating closely with people. All of these support that indeed, what we now have is a reformed-for –the-better vampire, who leans more to their human than animal nature.

In Polidori’s Vampyre, there is the contrary perception of the vampire as a creature that lives underground, only coming into the world to attack its prey, and drag them into the dark ages. In the short narration, the “new” vampire, Lord Ruthven, lives