introduction

What is the Gothic?

The gothic has changed with each decade making it harder and harder to define. The gothic is like a new song the lyrics may mean something different to each person, so if everyone has a different interpretation of even things like that it can only be more difficult to define something as complex as the gothic. So the gothic can range from anything such as a supernatural being to the characters and how the gothic changes with each societies different fears, while the gothic can have a certain monster each monster could be something more such as a damsel, or villain.

Each author can put his or her own twist on the gothic as well, making it much more than a dark and gloomy setting. It can range from anything including science experiments (Frankenstein), to the settings (tombs, castles, cities), as well as ghosts or the darkness. The science fiction elements make the science believable as well as very complex and detailed descriptions of what is happening making it almost realistic.

The main focus of this research project is the evolution of the vampire, from where it started with Dracula to where it is now in the 21^st century. Each vampire has evolved a little bit differently in the way that Dracula started out as a tall thin mysterious man, to now in the movies vampires can be very masculine and not as secretive in what they are doing. Once again todays vampire has evolved into a very different monster than where Dracula started.

The original vampire

“Within, stood a tall old man, clean shaven save for a long white moustache, and clad in black from head to foot, without a single speck of colour about him anywhere.” Stoker, Bram, and Leslie S. Klinger. "chapter 2."

This passage is from Jonathon Harker’s journal, which is the scene where he arrives at the castle. His description of Dracula consists of him being an old man, which yes vampires are immortal so him being described as old is understandable. The fact that he is in black from head to toe with no colors does bring about the gothic aspect of the dark and mysterious. There are still some aspects of the original vampire in today’s interpretations of vampires they are still mysterious and have darkness about them.

Today’s vampire

Today’s vampire always seems to be at war with someone whether it is another group of vampires (blade), Lycans (underworld), or society due to the unacceptable nature of vampires. While vampires have evolved into very strong, masculine creatures that now have weapons ranging from swords to guns with special bullets depending on the type of villain they are trying to protect themselves from or take down. Basically vampires are still the monster they once were but are now armed with weapons to defend themselves. The appearance of today’s vampire also allows them to blend in with society to an extent, when compared to the original people could tell there was something off about that character.

Works Cited

Stoker, Bram, and Leslie S. Klinger. "chapter 2." The new annotated Dracula. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2008. . Print.