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rfmcdonaldAlthough the vampire has always been an erotic figure, its difficult for a character who kills people for their blood to be a sympathetic hero. The Buffyverse's Angel got around this minor problem by drinking slaughterhouse blood, prefiguring the idea of "vegetarian vampires" that have manifested in Twilight and True Blood.
The idea of the "vegetarian vampire" might neuter the danger inherent in the idea of the vampire, but it does allow for the possibility that individual vampires could be sympathetic characters, not serial killers.
But still, I wonder whether there's a third outcome, apart from murder or vegetarianism. Earlier this month I had my annual checkup from my family doctor, a very competent and very thorough sort who made sure that I was sent to an adjoining clinic for blood tests. Everything went fine--in case you're curious, the only thing wrong with me was the sort of Vitamin D deficiency that's easily remedied--but the nurse took out eleven tubes of blood. That made me wonder: What if vampires ran health care systems?
- Nurse, you've taken twenty tubes already. I'm feeling light-headed.
- There's just ten more. Drink the orange juice and eat the cookie.
- But my doctor sent me in for tests for my psoriasis--
- Drink the orange juice and eat the cookie.
Believe it or not, the term “vegetarian vampire” is showing up all over the place — thanks in large part to the popularity of the Twilight book series, upcoming movie of the same name, and new series on HBO called True Blood.
Written by author Stephenie Meyer, Twilight tells the story of a young woman that falls in love with a vampire named Edward Cullen. Thing is, he abstains from drinking human blood, and drinks animal blood instead. Hence, he’s labeled “vegetarian” — which obviously makes no sense according to the true definition but provides a fine analogy.
But seriously — this whole “vegetarian vampire” premise has gotten so big, that there’s even a “how to” for dressing up as one: “Put on gold contacts if you are a “vegetarian” vampire. If you do not want to be vegetarian, put on burgundy contacts. This step is optional.” Now you know.
Regarding True Blood, I guess these guys would be called “Vegan Vampires” since the idea is that an artificial blood source has been created so that vampires do not have to kill at all.
The idea of the "vegetarian vampire" might neuter the danger inherent in the idea of the vampire, but it does allow for the possibility that individual vampires could be sympathetic characters, not serial killers.
But still, I wonder whether there's a third outcome, apart from murder or vegetarianism. Earlier this month I had my annual checkup from my family doctor, a very competent and very thorough sort who made sure that I was sent to an adjoining clinic for blood tests. Everything went fine--in case you're curious, the only thing wrong with me was the sort of Vitamin D deficiency that's easily remedied--but the nurse took out eleven tubes of blood. That made me wonder: What if vampires ran health care systems?
- Nurse, you've taken twenty tubes already. I'm feeling light-headed.
- There's just ten more. Drink the orange juice and eat the cookie.
- But my doctor sent me in for tests for my psoriasis--
- Drink the orange juice and eat the cookie.
