It's my question after I having read a long discussion about vampires and the interest they evoke in (young) women. There is a graduate student, in Sweden, preparing her dissertation about vampires and the view of them through history (and of course the sexual innuendo in regards to the biting, blood and the Hunger). And the Twilight books and "True Blood" by Charlene Harris and their popularity among teenage girls. And then they filled in with the newer series "Vampire Diaries" with a nice, good vampire and his evil, dark brother*... (I think it is a sad thing they didn't mention Angel from Buffy the vampire slayer, not to mention the World of Darkness (WoD by White Wolf) vampires - although in this they don't necessary fit the "nice man who refrains from biting the innocent".) Of course, the story about the vampires, and especially these newer ones, are about young looking men who refrain from hurting the young woman who is interested in him.... he is not interested in "violating" her, nor that she should "give herself up too easily" since he is truly and more truly in love with her. (I could go on and on about this subject since I find some of the newer stories - yes Twilight - a bit too simplistic... )
Clearly, there was no mentioning of Anita Blake (by K. Hamilton) nor the WoD vamps.... where some of them might be more or less chivalrous but never forget; they're only in it for themselves and if you are in the way, you're soon gone.
Anyhow, that was a slightly sidetracked comment. I was trying to state that I, maybe since I am a girl?, have read a tonne of different teenage books with vampires, Heathcliffs and other romantic figures you can dream about as a young (or not so young) woman. My experience of "male teenage books" would be old school Hardy Boys books, Biggles and some comics and role playing game books... although here is where I start wondering. What do boys (young male teenagers) read when they dream about sexual encounters and/or romance? Since I don't really remember too much girls in the Hardy boys (but there was two sisters, right?) I am really drawing a blank at the moment... Somehow I don't know if Buffy is the poster girl for "dream girl"... or the moping teenage girl Bella in Twilight? Can anyone help a poor thinking post PhD woman here? What is it boys dream about? What stereotypical girl/dream exist for them?** Is it porn all along? Or is it something more male figure with a girl side kick?
*evil brother is older and has, imho, a more mature look and therefore might be more attractive to the "already lost girls who are looking for the bad boys". This of course, my home crafted explanation and nothing with any research behind ;) I haven't mentioned the Ann Rice books since none of the articles I have read so far talk about them. I don't know if they forgot that Louis is a nice, kind vampire and Lestat is the evil one... then again, they are slightly more mature and slightly homoerotic at times and therefore not really a young teenage woman lure (nevertheless, I know girls drawling over both Louis and Lestat when reading the books).
**I also wonder a bit about the whole thing in general. If the "romantic dreaming" for girls is a trying to prepare for the complicated life of mixing romance and sex? If the whole thing is just a gender-bender-get-the-girl-to-dream-about-true-love-and-not-think-too-much-about-sex-for-fun-or-being-used ? Or maybe just the dream about the everlasting love and the man who will sweep the woman off her feet and marry her and live happily ever after? Do boys dream about that too? Or is it an age issue and it is different in the late twenties?
10 comments:
chall,
Okay, it's late and my brain is too fried to think through the philosophical/social implications of pop-culture vampire romance now... But I just wanted to say--Hey, someone else who has read the Anita Blake books! (Disclaimer: I've only read one, and it was mostly skimmed).
I've read the Ann Rice, too, and loved the first few in that series. I found Twilight to be maddeningly compelling--couldn't put it down--but even as I was madly flipping the pages I HATED Edward. Stalking controlling patronizing boyfriend. Not my idea of a dream guy at all. I just don't get the Edward frenzy.
I have read more than one of the Blake books... and I have to say that after a few (say 4?) they have a bit more sex and little less intrigue ;)
Your comment about Edward, yup... that would be my beef with it too. As it is more ok for him to super demand things and conditions since he is a vamp? Not to mention that I have a tendency to over react to the whole "young girl who hasn't seen much of the world and world traveller older man". It reminds me of Eliza and I never really was a fan of my fair lady... (boring me) nope, not a fan... what would he be if he was poor and didn't have the cool cars?
Over all, I think that is part of the reason I like buffy and Angel. Sure, he is worried about her and "watches over her" but she is in part very independent and can manage on her own (most of the times apart from fighting the Master etc...).
I'm pretty sure boys mostly like swimsuit models, victoria's secret, and porn. :p
huh... and here I wondered if I was only being stereotypical. No romantic dreams about strong women and family or talking about emotions?
I don't think boys typically include all the subtext that many girls prefer. Like EGF, I think when it comes to dreams or the like, it's whatever leaves the least to the imagination. Of course, I'm sure there are a few out there that would disagree.
MXX: ah... this is partly why I was curious... since all us girls have our "stereotype",m then again - maybe it is the truth. Nothing intricate but dreams of naked girls with boobs...
Posting as the token male then.
generally men are visually aroused, and sex is an externalisation. Hence, porn. And leaving the lights on and watching when you...well, somethings we can leave to imagination because we're all adults here.
In general, because of this men don't recourse to literature (or art, per se) for eroticism and arousal because eroticism is a means to sexual release, not romantic love. And we get a boner if the bus hits a pothole for crying out loud!
well, I guess it will be "men & porn" and little do we real woman have to gain?! or something. I dunno. I just really thought that it wasn't as uniform/stereotypical as men = looking at all women and getting aroused, no feelings necessary;
women= reading, thinking and fantasing about sex and/or feelings
I guess I need to go more biological in my view at life and society. And maybe look at some more porn to see what men like to "see"... or something...
not sure about all the sex talk. the last dream I remember i beat the ever living dog shit out of Fozzy Bear. it was very sad, and I woke up feeling a right bastard.
huh. fozzy bear... and kicking and fighting... sounds like an interesting dream.
Maybe something about those furries? or what they are called?! ;)
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