Introduction
Compare and contrast essays are taught in school since they help students develop critical thinking skills to approach various topics in daily life. They are also easy, fun, and typically simple to understand. They help students identify the similarities and differences between different topics of interest and later help in argumentative essays refuting the thesis. The piece is about comparing and contrasting a hot topic of discussion. For fans of movies, especially fantasy supernatural movies, one of the biggest debates is about the rankings between the movie Dracula and the Twilight saga.
Vampires, I bet everyone has heard of them, are undead creatures said to feed on the blood of the living and possess extraordinary powers. Their popularity is fueled and fed by the abundance of books, novels, and cinema films about the mythological creature. Dracula is a classic vampire movie based on Bram Stoker’s novel (Stoker, 1897/1995; American Film Institute [AFI], n.d.-a). It is a film released in 1993 based on Bram’s 1897 novel. The book draws the foundation from which other ranges of work draw inspiration. Twilight Saga, produced in 2008, is a fantasy romance series based on four novels by Stephanie Meyer (Meyer, 2005; AFI, n.d.-b). It comprises five films produced by Paramount’s MTV Films. The two pieces of work are remarkably relatable, and I guess, like me, you will notice extreme similarities and differences between the two vampire movies. Legendary vampirism has emerged galore within the fantasy world and is popular in media shows. The creature’s representation has taken various routes, ranging from the 19th-century depiction of Dracula to the current version as expressed by 21st-century movies such as Twilight. Both authors have different tastes, backgrounds, and influences. The creature’s representation has taken alternative routes in both social and physical paths. The folklore of the beast has come a long way. The essay is going to compare and contrast the two films under the following thesis.
Twilight Saga is better off compared to Dracula
Comparison
Both are pieces of literature that investigate the role of vampires. They both play the same role of entertaining, thrilling, and creating pleasure among the audience. The two pieces use foreshadowing, drama, dialogues, and other forms of literary devices to bring out the themes in the story. They both share the themes of love, addiction, betrayal, and repulsion.
In physical appearance, they are both vampire creatures. They have great strength, bodies as cold as ice, and pale skin. They are also incredibly fast and swift, moving at the speed of lightning. They also possess superhuman senses of hearing and smell. They both fear sunlight and never like walking in daylight.
They are both immortals. Vampires never age and are hard to kill. Edward is 109 years old, yet judging from his physical appearance, he seems to be an 18-year-old teenager.
They must both consume blood to survive (Stoker, 1897/1995; Meyer, 2005).
Contrast
Twilight is a modern play. Regarding physical appearance, the actors are more human and attractive vampires. Edward Cullen, the protagonist in the series, is charming, hot, and dangerously irresistible. In sunlight, his body gracefully sparkles like diamonds, and his eyes change color, expressing the ultimate love and affection the beholder possesses. On the other hand, Dracula is humanly unattractive. He is an old, blood-thirsty, horrifying beast that no one would want to see twice. The creature had a thick mustache, broad nose, large protruding canine teeth, a scary face, and hair as grey as ash. He is clad all in black from head to toe. Dracula has no reflection; he allows himself to be almost invisible. On the other hand, Edward shows up in pictures and has a reflection.
In character, Edward has a good heart; he is caring, charismatic, charming, and shows great affection for Bella. He is also protective and has control over not lunging at her or his colleagues at school. In fact, the whole Cullen family is vegetarian; they do not eat human flesh. On the contrary, in Dracula, on one occasion, Jonathan cuts himself while shaving, and Dracula lunges for his throat. He can be viewed as a vicious demon.
In Dracula, there is this weird thing where the vampire changes into a bat. However, this does not happen in Twilight.
In Dracula, there is this stereotype of sleeping in coffins, while in Twilight, there is no such thing. In fact, vampires never sleep.
There are werewolves in Twilight—humans who shift into wolf-like creatures, especially during the full moon or when angry. On the contrary, there is no version of this in Dracula.
Conclusion
The version of Dracula is wholly different from that of Twilight. Dracula gives society a view of horror and terror and a pathetic relationship. He gives us a glimpse of the fearful life he lives, raising hell on earth! The devil is in no mood for romance, but only to fulfill his bloodthirst. The creature is depicted as the epitome of offensive and seductive behavior. The Twilight version, on the other hand, gives a much brighter view, with an improved relationship where Edward cares for and cherishes Bella, a human. It draws an inspiring emotion. He allows society to experience the romantic and mysterious life he lives. They give different opinions and thoughts on vampirism (Stoker, 1897/1995; Meyer, 2005). I have watched both versions of the movies, and from experience, Dracula is no match for Twilight.
References
American Film Institute. (n.d.-a). Bram Stoker’s Dracula. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. https://catalog.afi.com/Film/67037-BRAM-STOKERSDRACULA
American Film Institute. (n.d.-b). Twilight. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. https://catalog.afi.com/Film/64791-TWILIGHT
Meyer, S. (2005). Twilight. Little, Brown and Company. https://stepheniemeyer.com/the-books/twilight/
Stoker, B. (1995). Dracula. Project Gutenberg. (Original work published 1897). https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/345
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