I'd heard about the books and the film here, but I'd read or seen it, heck I'd never heard of it.
I realise that a writer will give the vampires the good and bad points they want. I'd like to see them as nasty 'little' sods, I'd go for killing them with a wooden stake to the heart, cutting their heads off, the religious things like a cross and holy water. I'd even accept Bram Stokers Nosferatu [a name he used for a film 'cos he couldn't get copyright permission to use the name Dracula].
So given that I'm a bit of a traditionalist [if that's the right word] to see a preview of twilight where a vampire has sunlight on them with no effect to them. That sort of thing will deter me from going to see the film.
Oh, and if you want to see it, don't let my views put you off.
(7) The old ones of past to here did wander,
I, too, would have called myself a traditionalist...before Twilight. I'm not done yet, I'm only half way through Breaking Dawn....BUT....
I know I was TICKED at Moonlight for all the "weird" rules they seemed to have come up with. Stakes just freezing them, sunlight just making them sick, etc.
Although, in reading these stories, I gotta say, they not only work, but make a HECK of a lot more sense.
I'm not sure I ever really "got" why stakes or sunlight would turn a vampire to "dust". Or, for that matter, why so many vampires seem to think that California seem to be the place to "hang out".
Without making too many spoilers (and I AM trying to not do spoilers) the general "scheme" seems to make a LOT more sense.
They seem to have taken stakes totally out of the equation. And since they don't dwell on it, it's easier to work with.
But, the general idea seems to be that vampires are an "advanced" killing machine. Strong, virtual indestructable to your basic human....that makes sense. Plus, naturally beautiful in an "natural" attempt to attract their prey TO them. Which is where I think the sparkling in the sunlight comes in. Kind of a natural, evolutionary way (so to speak) to lure people TO them. Dazzle them with the general "prettiness" so they instictively walk TOWARD them.
The only draw back being the general "laws" that they're to stay hidden. But, laws aren't the same as a natural tactic of luring prey.
I guess what I'm saying is, that, these new rules make a LOT more sense for a predator, like a vampire, to have "mystical" ways to attract people to them. Being "uber-humans" as they're supposed to be. It doesn't really make a lot of sense for vampires to be "hiding in the shadows".
Although, with the "rules" put in place to hide and not draw attention, it also makes sense for them to AVOID the sunlight so as not to shine a giant spotlight on them saying "LOOK AT ME! I'm WAY different than YOU!"
All in all, I think the theory makes TONS more sense in a believable story type way.
But, maybe that's because the normal things wooden stakes, garlic, holy water, crosses, sunlight.....they don't really make SENSE that they'd hurt something that is technically a more evolved killing machine than we are.
I guess the religious stuff makes a BIT of sense, just in the sense that they're supposed to be "evil" and religion is supposed to be "good". But, it still falls short of making sense of vampires in the "real world". Or the general question as to "WHY?". Why would a sharp stick to a non-working organ kill them? WHY would sunlight turn them to dust? As far as Buffy is concerned why is one inch in the shaded California sun okay, but one inch into direct sunlight a killer? What happens if when Spike falls asleep with his hand in the sun and it catches fire and burns before he can move it? Does his hand disappear? Would it heal? Would all of him catch fire if he didn't act fast enough?
It's just not totally logical.
I'd call myself a traditionalist, but given a situation that is more logical to my brain, I gotta admit, it's comforting.
NOW, onto the OTHER issue.
I think most of us are more like Bella than we'd like to admit. Outwardly, and most of the time, I'm pretty darn tough. But, since most of her wishy washiness is shown in through her thoughts, I know that many times, inwardly, I feel awkward and like everyone is staring at all my flaws. I can talk myself out of it, sometimes, but it's there.
I had to laugh my BUTT off at all her excuses to not get married because she was sure the town would look at her like she was "trash". That IS exactly why I wouldn't want to do it! No matter how much "in love" I thought I was.
It's one of the things I LIKE about stories like this that hit so big. I don't think Bella is a bad role model. Granted, she may have wanted to flit off an become immortal far earlier than I'd have wanted to. BUT, being a teenager STINKS. At least in the sense that almost everything you do makes you feel like a freak. Like the "cool" people don't feel the way you do or think the way you do or have the same issues as you.
Having a lead character with so many "normal" flaws, especially when they're exaggerated can be quite comforting. It's always nice to know that what you're feeling doesn't make you a total FREAK.
I can't say I'm a JUST like her. But, I can say, I can totally understand many of her feelings. Most of all, feeling comfortable and happy with a small group of people and feeling TOTALLY like a fish out of water with a larger group....even a larger group that I KNOW likes me. And CERTAINLY when part of the people know one part of my life and the other side knows the rest of my life. It's annoying and I'm always sure I'm gonna screw up and mix things in a way I will HATE later.
Just my thoughts for the day.
Carry on.
