Bram Stocker’s Dracula is a movie based on novel which is based on an illusion of existing creatures. Hughes points out that, the movie creates an illusion that vampires and humans can live together taking into consideration the fact that vampires can transform to humans (12). The creation of the movie is aimed at making the audience creating a mental picture of non existing creatures and the relations to the human life. Additionally, the vampire abilities in the film are imaginative creations aimed at depicting the extra ordinary abilities of the creatures. In an argument by Hughes the film also bring out the assumption that vampires have greater abilities compared to the normal human (15). The author further argues that the abilities and characteristics given to the vampire figure depict success, authority and victory.
However, at the climax of the film the film highlights the success ability of the human race. At the end of the film human s are able to kill the Dracula which is an extraordinary creature. The death of the Dracula was followed by the end of its curse and reign in the existence. Scott points out that the climax is directed at putting into perspective the resistant abilities of the human race regardless of their shortcoming and disabilities (23). The same argument is supported by Hughes who points out that human victory at the end of the novel signifies the real dwellers and inhabitants of the earth (29). The author connects the victory to the human ability to invent and replace weaknesses. However, comparing the two races under the same abilities should not be considered and the illusion of the comparison is only created in films and books but not in real life.
In the film human are weary about the vampire and how they would protect themselves in case of an attack. The same fear is easily transferred to the audience. The creation of the vampire personality in the film creates the illusion of vampire personalities in the real world. Regardless of the fact that vampires do not exist in the real world people still have a fear of the illusion. In thoughts by Hughes the film Dracula is entirely based on depicting the abilities of the vampire over humans (56). This makes humans feel inferior and insignificant in case of a vampire attack. The author also points out that the imagery display of the vampire figure further instills strange nonexistent fear in humans. The physical representation of the vampire figure is scary and with a lot presence in terms of confidence and strength. With such an image it is an obvious assumption that xenophobia will be created in the mind of humans.
Guido defines xenophobia as a feeling of being replaced or invaded by a foreign culture or race (22). He further describes the fear as one related to the loss of identity and habitation to stronger and foreign creatures or persons. In the film Bram Stocker’s Dracula the vampire figure has all the qualities needed to replace the human race in case of an invasion. The feeling is further instilled by the fact that the vampire figure does not age which makes its existence eternal. For this reason, the inferior human has all the reason to fear vampires and the illusion that that they could be invade. Scott points out that in case of an invasion by vampires in regards to the abilities of the vampire in the film, the human race could offer little resistance to counter the invasion (65). For this reason, xenophobia is inevitable in humans if the belief and illusion of being replaced by a greater power is instilled in them. According to Guido in this case xenophobia is greater since humans believe vampires have much greater strength and abilities as compared to humans with the illusion created by this film (75).
In analyzing the vampire figure from the film, the creature effectively fits the two forms of xenophobia. The first from of xenophobia is one based against an existing population or race that is not considered part of the society. In most cases, the cast out race or population is usually a later inclusion in the society. Vampires can be easily regarded and branded as outcast of the society. This is because of the extra and extraordinary abilities they have. According to ( ) vampire abilities and way of life in the film Bram Stocker’s Dracula are strange and not in line with the societies expectations. They are viewed as intruders and from an underworld society. Additionally, they have an agenda that has to be harmful to the human race. From this description, it is an obvious assumption that the vampire figure is viewed as foreigner to the human society. Since the birth of the human society, vampires have not been part of the society and their invasion to the human society cannot be well received.
The second form of xenophobia is based on culture preferences and acquaintances. This form is also wary about foreign cultural elements. Guido argues that cultural elements in a society should be one accepted and embraced by all the society dwellers (67). Regardless of the little differences based on personal beliefs cultural preferences are widely accepted as recognized by all people in a specific society. In case of foreign culture elements there is discomfort or forming forces of aggression. This form of xenophobia is aimed at protecting and safe guarding the cultural walls and beliefs of a particular society.
The vampire figure in the Bram Stocker’s Dracula defies the cultural belief of the human society. The vampire figure is viewed as guest from an underworld society which automatically disqualifies its cultural preferences in the human perception of suitable cultures. In the film, the deeds of the vampire figure such as murder and terrorizing innocent people is viewed as unacceptable and an inhumane culture. For this reason, there is a zero probability of the vampire figure to be welcomed into the human society. The acceptance of the vampire culture into the society is viewed as an opportunity to lead humanity to extinction (Hughes 96). In order to safeguard the human culture and society, it is an obvious assumption that the invasion by vampires will create aggression and disunity between the two races. This can be defined as xenophobia based on culture indifference and great diversity (Guido 45). The author also points out that human vampire relationship based of culture indifference is one illusion that human can create or believe it would exist.
Works cited
Guido, Bolaffi. Dictionary of race, ethnicity and culture. Boston: SAGE Publications Ltd. 2003. Print.
Hughes, William. Bram Stoker's Dracula: A Reader's Guide. New York: Continuum. 2009. Print.
Scott, Poole. Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting. Waco, Texas: Baylor. 2011. Print.
