Back in the 1890s, the story of Dracula emphasized the animalistic and horrific elements of Dracula, where it transformed Dracula into a mindless plague-carrying monster. Bram Stoker’s novel portrayed Dracula as a bestial creature; his description of words emphasized his cruel-looking mouth with peculiarly sharp white teeth. His description even identified Dracula as having physical characteristics associated with criminals of that time. He is closer to animal than human. The narrative also underlines that a sophisticated, intelligent group of human beings are waging war on a primitive and animalistic beings (here Dracula would be the latter). The human’s victory over the Dracula would suggest the idea of what it was that people in the 19th century was trying to manifest.
However, in the late 20th century, vampire fiction has been used to subvert the conventions established by Stoker. Dracula does not merely present that ‘evil’ characteristic in the storyline. Coppola’s Dracula (1992) depicts Dracula as both a villain and victim; some of the good features remain, and thus arouse sympathy from the viewers. This transformation in portraying Dracula as less evil in films and other medias are significantly influential in changing our conception towards certain people. We now learn that holding stereotypical thoughts on particular people just based on their appearance may actually end up victimizing them. It is important that we do not view a person based on our own ideology as one may prove to be more victim than villain.
Hello Jane,
I certainly agree with the depiction of Dracula from the 1980s compared to how he is depicted now. There is a much more glamorous air about him now than there was back when the original was written. I think in the film, Coppola needed to make Dracula more for the audience, rather than for the story itself. He needed to make it something that Hollywood would want to show to audiences and he was able to do this by making the character more sympathetic. He almost makes Dracula seem like a victim, as you say. He does have some of those good features that you indicate, and he seems to be remorseful, which does generate some sympathy from the audience.
Thanks,
Kathy