Upload
jacki-cone-auslender
View
6.463
Download
7
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
A Semiotic Analysis of…
By: Jacki Cone-Auslender
When The Vampire Diaries first came on the scene in 2009 there was initially a lot of scrutiny stating that it was simply Twilight in a television series....
Is The Vampire Diaries merely Twilight in disguise?
Let’s figure this all out…
•Shy, clumsy girl loves Vampire. •Also loves Werewolf •But, loves Vampire more. •Wants to become a Vampire.
•Attractive Vampire loves girl more than anything. •Hates who he is…a monster •Doesn’t want girl to become a Vampire.
•Werewolf loves girl. •Werewolf LOATHES Vampire. •Werewolf doesn’t want girl to become a Vampire.
Jacki’s Twilight Spark Notes:
Elena Gilbert
Stefan Salvatore
Damon Salvatore
Bella Swan
Edward Cullen
Jacob Black
Spotlight on… Elena Gilbert (Signifier)
Popular Desire to Stay Human Family Oriented
Doppelganger Unselfish
Selfless Protective
Spotlight on… Bella Swan (Signifier)
Socially Awkward
Desire to Become a Vampire Only Child Determined
Slightly Torn
Completely Torn
Clumsy
Cheerleader
Human
Spotlight on… Stefan Salvatore (Signifier) Attractive
Only Eats Animals Family Issues Hidden Dark Side Vampire
In Love Protective
Spotlight on… Edward Cullen (Signifier)
Pure of Heart
Hates who he is (Vampire) Family Oriented In Love
Pure of Heart GOOD
Only Eats Animals
GOOD
Attractive
Spotlight on… Damon Salvatore (Signifier) Attractive
Killer Family Issues
Loose Cannon Vampire
In Love Protective
Spotlight on… Jacob Black (Signifier)
Pure of Heart
Hatred of Vampires Loyal In Love
Impulsive Dark
WEREWOLF
GOOD
Attractive
Odd one out
Odd one out
Elena Gilbert
Stefan Salvatore
Damon Salvatore
Bella Swan
Edward Cullen
Jacob Black
Therefore…
(Close but not quite!)
Semiotic Concept: Metaphor
Semiotic Concept: Paradigmatic Analysis - Oppositions
Humanity VS Loss of Humanity Natural VS Supernatural
Loyalty VS Forced Following Good VS Evil
Semiotic Concept: Icons
Picture of Katherine that Stefan holds on to remind him of the pain she inflicted upon him and Damon.
Journals of Jonathon Gilbert reveal truths from the past and also predict what is doomed to be repeated in the future.
Semiotic Concept: Symbols
Elena’s Necklace: symbolic of her power over vampires. She can not be compelled by a vampire while wearing her Vervaine filled necklace.
Vampire Ring: symbolic of vampire’s enslavement to the sun. Without it they will burn in the sun.
White Oak Tree: symbolic of the end of the entire vampire species.
Semiotic Concept: Intertextuality
Twilight: In the third episode of The Vampire Diaries Damon lies in Caroline’s bed reading Twilight (perfect for this analysis!) He makes a comment about Edward being “whipped” which is ironic because the character of Edward and Damon’s brother Stefan are both vampires who are “whipped” by a human.
Semiotic Concept: Codes
KILL OR BE KILLED In order to save the ones you love sometimes innocent people must die.
Family doesn’t always mean you share DNA
BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER
All is fair in love and war…
Vampires Love Triangle Werewolves
Human girl in love with a vampire Attractive Cast Evil Vampires
Something “special” about female lead
Witches Hybrids
Ghosts Doppelganger
No desire to become a vampire
Brother love triangle Vampires burn in sun
Themes: family & humanity
Wants to become a vampire
Love triangle with vampire and werewolf
Vampires sparkle in the sun
Theme: epic love
At first glance, and during the first 10-15 minutes of the first episode of The Vampire Diaries, yes, the two seem similar. But as you can see merely from the character outlines. The main characters are far from similar and the plot lines go in opposite directions almost immediately. The Vampire Diaries is a more raw portrayal of a vampire love story whereas Twilight is much more a glamorized portrayal. Of a somewhat seemingly similar story.
Sources Dahl, J. (Director) (2009). Friday night bites [Television series episode]. In Levy, B. (Executive Producer), The Vampire Diaries. Los Angeles: CWTV. Hardwicke, C. (Director) (2008). Twilight [DVD]. Somerholder, I. (2010, January 26). Interview by ITN News [Video Tape Recording]. Vampire diaries vs twilight. , Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uwK3laCY20