|
"I don't get the whole vampire romance thing."
I've had men say this to me. I've seen people of both genders express it in various places on the internet. And while I think it is a current fad to belittle the current fad, I'd like to take the opposite approach. Instead of poo-pooing vampire romance, I've really tried to think about why it might be so popular.
And I have an answer, or at least an opinion. I do "get" the appeal of vampire romances, especially from the perspective of traditional gender norms and the female psyche. There is a psychology behind the vampire romance that I haven't seen much discussion of. In fact, I think there are quite a few more reasons for the popularity of vampire romances than there are against. Obviously, something in vampire romance mythology is resonating with a large portion of the human population (particularly girls and young women), and there are reasons for this. I do not believe, as some express, that it is simply a senseless fad or some indication of a lack of discernment by those who read it.
In that vein, I am going to post a short series in parts summarizing some of the aspects I believe come into play. It will by no means be an exhaustive list and, as always, I invite comments, challenges, and feisty, polite dialogue concerning my opinions.
1) PERPETUATING THE SPECIES:
A main aspect of human and animal biology is the drive for a viable mate. Mainly, this serves the purpose of perpetuating the species. It is the biological basis of human romance. Stated simply, we couple in order to make more people. Love is somewhat of an after-thought, biologically speaking.
However, how do we choose "the best" mate? How do we select for reproduction that will improve our species rather than spiral it into extinction? We humans may not think of it in those terms, but the genetic inclination is there. We know instinctively that a good mate is strong, healthy, fertile, long-lived, a good provider and protector, won't kill its own offspring, and will stay around to help raise its young. Normal humans, men and women both, often fall short of that list. They are, in essence, defective mate-material.
But what about the fictional vampire? How does he or she measure up? Common lore has it that he/she is exceptionally strong. Health wise, I have rarely heard of a vampire with a cold or the flu, let alone something more serious. Vampires are extremely fertile if one considers that all they have to do to make more of their kind is bite someone. Long-lived? Try immortal. A good provider? Aren't most vampires rich and living in opulence? If they don't have something they want, they certainly don't have any trouble getting it. And as for protection, vampires seem pretty able to hold their own. Now, vampires do take a hit on not eating their own offspring, and sticking around to care for them. However, you don't see much of that in vampire romance. You don't see much child-rearing in any vein of romance because parenthood is what happens after romance, often seriously limiting one's amorous pursuits.
However, after looking at the "mate" list, and comparing it to current vampire romance lore, is it any wonder that girls and young women are panting after vampire boyfriends? Vampires far exceed their instinctive expectations. Never mind that vampires don't exist. Neither did knights in shining armor on white horses when that was the standard. We're not talking about reality here. Everyone knows they'll end up with the typical, faulty human mate in the end. But a person can dream. That's what romance is- the impression (false or otherwise) that someone is the perfect mate.
Conversely, I think this is one of the reasons that some men feel more than a little annoyed by vampire romance. They know they can't possible measure up to an immortal being. But the way I see it that is only tit-for-tat. Women have spent years not measuring up to air-brushed models, Hollywood darlings and surgically-enhanced porn stars.
I could say "I don't get the whole beautiful, sexy, nubile women thing."
But I'd be lying.
|
