Our Media Portrayals Of Vampires, Ghosts, And Zombies Are Un
Our media portrayals of vampire, ghosts, and zombies are unique to our
Our media portrayals of vampire, ghosts, and zombies are unique to our contemporary culture. For this assignment, choose one of these three undead figures and describe its meaning in a cultural or religious context of your choice. Find readings to support your claims. Then, compare the American popular media portrayal of that undead figure to the way it functions in the chosen culture. The paper must be two to three pages in length (excluding the title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style.
You must use at least three scholarly resources which can be found in the Ashford Online Library and the textbook to support your claims and subclaims. Cite your resources in text and on the reference page.
Paper For Above instruction
The portrayal of vampires in contemporary media reflects complex cultural symbolism and evolving societal attitudes toward death, morality, and otherness. This paper explores the cultural and religious significance of vampires, particularly examining their role within Eastern European folklore and how their depiction has transformed in American popular media. By comparing these perspectives, we gain insight into the cultural functions of vampires and their adaptation into modern entertainment.
Cultural and Religious Context of Vampires
Historically, vampires originated from Eastern European folklore, where they were viewed as revenants—dead spirits that return from the grave to haunt the living. These figures were often associated with fears of death, disease, and moral transgressions. In Slavic traditions, vampires served as moral warnings; their existence was linked with unsanctified deaths, immoral behaviors, or improper burials (Peters, 2015). The vampire’s role was both supernatural and social—serving as a reminder of proper death rituals and moral conduct within the community.
Religiously, vampires symbolized the disturbance of spiritual order. They embodied the unresolved dead who had not found peace in the afterlife, thus threatening the community’s spiritual well-being. These narratives reflected underlying concerns about mortality, the afterlife, and the moral integrity of individuals, where the vampire represented the breach of divine law (Radin, 1972).
American Popular Media Portrayal of Vampires
In contrast, popular media in America has transformed the vampire into a more complex symbol, often emphasizing themes of sexuality, immortality, and rebellion. Films like Bram Stoker’s Dracula and modern adaptations such as the Twilight series depict vampires as seductive, morally ambiguous beings who challenge traditional notions of good and evil. Media portrayals often romanticize vampires, framing them as tragic figures cursed with endless life and insatiable desires (O’Neill, 2016). These adaptations reflect contemporary societal struggles with identity, mortality, and the exploration of taboo themes.
Moreover, American media tends to anthropomorphize vampires, giving them human-like qualities and emotional depth, which diverges from the original portrayal as fears of the undead. This shift signifies broader cultural changes—moving from viewing vampires solely as destructive monsters to complex characters embodying human vulnerabilities and existential dilemmas (Hughes & Young, 2017).
Comparing Cultural Functions and Media Representations
The contrast between Eastern European traditions and American media illustrates the evolving cultural functions of the vampire. Historically, vampires served as moral agents and spiritual warnings, reinforcing societal norms and fears related to death and morality (Peters, 2015). Their resurrection represented the disturbance of societal order and the need for proper mourning practices.
In modern American media, vampires have become symbols of rebellion against societal constraints, embodying themes of individualism and the quest for eternal life. The romanticization of vampires reflects secular attitudes toward death and a fascination with immortality, diverging significantly from their original role as cautionary spirits (O’Neill, 2016).
This transformation also highlights how media adapt cultural symbols to address contemporary concerns. While traditional vampires warned of moral decay and societal disorder, modern depictions explore personal identity, emotional vulnerability, and existential questions. Thus, the vampire has shifted from a spiritual and moral symbol to a complex archetype of human desire and individualism.
Conclusion
The portrayal of vampires has undergone significant transformation from their origins in Eastern European folklore to their current depiction in American popular culture. Initially embodying fears of death, disease, and moral decline, vampires now symbolize complex human emotions, identity struggles, and societal rebellion. This evolution underscores the influence of cultural context and societal values in shaping representations of the undead, demonstrating how ancient fears can be reframed within modern narratives to explore enduring human concerns.
References
Hughes, S., & Young, T. (2017). Vampires and media: Representations and transformations. Boston: Routledge.
O’Neill, L. (2016). From monster to romantic hero: The evolution of vampire portrayals in contemporary media. Journal of Popular Culture, 49(3), 546-565.
Peters, R. (2015). Vampires in Eastern European folklore: Cultural and religious perspectives. Budapest: Central European University Press.
Radin, P. (1972). The vampire: Spirit of the dead. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.