Vampires of the Victorian Era

           Chapter 3. Nice to Eat You: Acts of Vampires
In this chapter, Foster edifies the reader on the usage of vampires in literature, moreover their symbolic value. In literature, the vampire is a symbolic reference for something or someone that puts their needs in front of the needs of those surrounding them. A vampire manipulates the other characters in the story as a method of getting what their (undead) heart desires; draining those around them of the very thing they live for, and ultimately leaving the character empty of what's vital to them.
         Foster denotes many literary examples in which vampires can be found, but the one I plan to focus on is: "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" by Thomas Hardy (Foster 21). Knowing that a vampire is a symbolic reference for someone that "destroys" the character, it seems evident to point out that in Hardy's novel, Alec d'Urberville fits that role almost perfectly. Alec is the nemesis of the story's protagonist, Tess Durbeyfield, and also the catalyst that sparks her "destruction." His full name, Alexander, which one could connect to the conqueror-as in Alexander the Great- who appropriates anything he desires without any regard to moral propriety. The duplicitous character of Alec is evident towards the end of the novel when he abandons his newly adopted Christian faith upon meeting Tess. Alec's vampire-like associations also become known when he seduces Tess such as the serpent seduces Eve in the book of Genesis, thus taking away her "value" and leaving her worthless to most men in Victorian society. Additionally, like a common vampire, Alec makes no attempt to hide his malevolent nature. In Chapter Twelve of Hardy's novel, Alec tells Tess, "I suppose I am a bad fellow-a damn bad fellow." Like a vampire, Alec d'Urberville symbolizes the evil that steers characters away from their achievement of moral perfection.

"Count Alec", an original by Dylan Asher

           Historically speaking, the number of vampires found outside of literature and in the real world is rapidly increasing; as people grow more and more selfish and devoid of virtues. This phenomena is considered to have started as a "side-effect" of the creation of The "Me" Generation.  The "Me" Generation is a term given to the Baby Boomer generation and the self-involved qualities associated with it. Americans born during 1946 to 1964 were dubbed the Me generation by author Tom Wolfe during the 1970's; Christopher Lasch was another one of the many historical writers that commented on the rise of narcissism in the younger generation. This quality of narcissism appears to be worsening as time goes by. In today's society we seem to overlook the shockingly high population of vampires surrounding us, due to the idea that almost everybody we encounter has some sort of vampire-like quality. From an early age we are told that, "It's a dog eat dog world.", and that we must do or say whatever it takes to not only survive, but to also fight our way to the top. While this lesson is helpful in preparing us for what's to come, it also instills a sense of competition that we must "take down" those around us that could potentially be better than we are. Thus creating a society replete with vampires that are ready and willing to manipulate, attack, and drain you of your life force.
Better hold on to the garlic.