On The Evolution And Interpretation Of Dracula In The Fiction And Films

Vampire culture plays an important role in the western mass cultural traditions, and has great influence on them.One of the most well-known products is the fiction Dracula written by Ireland author Bram Stoke at the end of 19^th century. There are over 100 adaptations which are based on the fiction. The Chinese domestic academy has not made professional study on the fiction and the movies while some of them have been imported and translated. Using comparison study method, this article attempts to interpret the deep-seated humanity character and social rootstock which contained in horror culture through analyzing the succession, breakthroughs, as well as the vicissitude of times feature which are included in the fiction and films; thereby the evolution of Dracula in the fiction and films can be cognized exactly.This paper emphasizes the horror identity, the evil characters and the implied meaning of the times of Dracula as a vampire. On the basis of analysing ten films from the adaptations, the paper probes into the characteristics on the theme and the character in the two different stages since 1920s.Before 1990's, the adaptions mostly base on the fiction; the scenario and human characteristic are changed a bit, but the theme remaines to be the evil characters based on the antithesis between good and evil and the liberating of the pent-up emotion of the females.After 1990's, the image of Dracula in the film adaptations breaks off the relation to the fiction, the discussion on the origin of Dracula becomes a new open up subject, the fight between Van Helsing and Dracula gradually takes the place of moral admonishment. The horror and the evil caused by Dracula are dissolved by the delight and satisfaction of the audiences.In the end, this paper gives a clear explanation of the Vampire culture on the basis of the analyzing of the key elements in the adaptions. The hundred years' evolution of Dracula indicates: it completes everlasting sense renewal by continuous interpretation, keeps revived in people's heart in different ages, and refracts the will and the desire of each person.