Monsters vs Vampires

Monsters are usually seen as immoral, disfigured, hideous and ugly creatures. Frankenstein is the biggest and well known monster of the nineteenth century. However some argue that it is hard to define a monster as they have many forms in which all their forms have different characteristics. The diverse forms of monsters are: zombies, trolls, aliens, ware wolves, demonically possessed people,and deformed bodies. Monsters are shape-shifters, this means that we tend to be drawn to the most unusual looking things. However, Max Nordeau argues that these deprived creatures force humans to live in a state a continuous nervous excitement. He also states that is likely to turn their brains into decaying monstrosities.

Stephan King states that all humans in history and now have physical and mental elements, which at some point or the other are considered to be monstrous. For example a person with a widow's peak would have been considered to be a man who once was a sorcerer. Moles on the female body were treats for witches. This is crazy in my opinion as in the 21st century these are just normal problems of the human body and are not seen as such life threatening features. Monsters and Monstrosity fascinates us because it appeals to us and it is something we crave as humans. I do not agree with this point being made. Yes it might be appealing to us as monsters themselves catch our attention. However I don't think that it is something we crave or would want to become.

Today in the 21st century, aliens, zombies, ware wolves and even vampires are seen more than ever before. They have become ever so popular and are seen in films and tv shows quite regularly. Zombies are usually seen as monsters that have very little ability to react to something as they are just dead bodies. However, they are often seen walking around in films, always craving human flesh. As all these monsters are so popular in today's world and the fact that they are always loved by the audience raises a question that could Stephan King be right when he stated that all humans crave to be these monsters?

Moving onto vampires they are usually seen as supernatural, undead blood sucking creatures. Even though Dracula is a vampire Abbott argues that he is in fact seen as a monster due to his various incarnations. This is because Dracula represents the desire for progress that the modern world has. This is in the sense of science and technology. As Dracula was first published towards the late nineteenth century he is seen as being modern as this was the time of the industrial revolution and Dracula wanting to relocate to London. It is almost like self destruction of nature and landscapes.


Ref:
Cavallaro  D, 2002. The Gothic Vision: Three Centuries of Horror, Terror and Fear. Continuum, London
Levina M & Bui, 2013. Monster Culture in the 21st Century: a reader. Bloomsbury Academic, New York