How do you think Buffy has influenced the contempor
ary vampire drama “True Blood” and the “Twilight” series of novels and films?
The message of Buffy is essentially a hopeful one, as is the underlying ethic of romanticism itself. Romantic ideology suggests that answers lie within the self. We must reach inside, listen and learn what our ‘true’ nature is. Buffy demonstrates the combined power of community/unity can defeat evil. It emphasizes the importance if values like community, cooperation, and openness is ever more vital and urgent. (Rose 2000) A strong feature in which novels/film series such as true blood, vampire diaries and true blood have adopted.
Rose (2002) the creators of Buffy used a popular imaginative genre to address complex philosophical and ethical questions.
In relation to the romantic gothic genre and narratives of good and evil. Braum (2000) talks about the relationship between Buffy and angel, and how clearly demonstrated the tension between love and aggression that is often present in intimate relationships. Also adapted in shows like vampire diaries with characters Elaina and Stefan. Buffy portrays the psychoanalytically charged themes so effectively through the use of supernatural mythology. Just at any moment characters are constantly faced with the challenge of moral ambiguity. A theme that series Vampire Diaries, True blood and Twilight all posses.
References:
Braum, B. (2000) The X-files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The ambiguity of evil in supernatural representations. Retrieved 18 October, 2005 from: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0 412/is_2_28/ai_64688900
Rose, A (2002) Of creatures and creators: Buffy does Frankenstein, in R. Wilcox & D. Lavery (eds) Fighting the forces: what’s at stake in Buffy the vampire slayer. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.
I'm not a big fan of Buffy or the rest of the vampire shows coming out these days, but as much as I hate to admit it, this question and its analysis force me to accept that Buffy has pushed the genre in a more realistic and relevant direction. I still hold that Twilight took vampire stories two steps back in terms of quality if not popularity.
ReplyDeleteA thoughtful response Sheldon (esp the focus on the way that moral ambiguity connects these genres) You have obviously impressed Travis.
ReplyDeleteyou have a valid point there travis. I myself wasnt a big buffy fan up until we began studying it and realized how much of an influence it was not only on other vampire cult TV spin-offs but even other modern day soaps.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Travis, Twilight has ruined the whole Vampire genre for everyone in our household over the age of 15. If Vincent Price were alive today, he'd wish he wasn't. But again, Buffy comes to the rescue and offers a small glimmer of hope that when Buffy meets Edward or Bella there's going to be some serious A%$ kicking!
ReplyDeleteElena & Stefan are what Buffy is to Angel. Then we have Damon, who like Spike want what they can't have.