Across many loose adaptations and questionable Salon articles, Bram Stoker's magnum opus has left its mark on the public consciousness. Yet its commentary on modernity goes tragically unnoticed...
That was excellent. I remember the first time I read Dracula. I came across it by accident on a library table and thought "I should read this, it's supposed to be a classic." I was amazed, and still am.
Your last line sticks the landing, hard. I think sometimes of the line from Pirates of the Caribbean, when Barbossa tells Elizabeth "You best start believing in ghost stories, Miss Turner. You're in one." Yep. We all are.
Thank you for reading! I had a similar experience with my first reading of Dracula. It's impressive how better and better it gets the more you read it!
I remember my first reaction as I read through: "wait a minute, has the Internet lied to me? This book isn't about being gay at all!"
That about sums up why I wanted to adress its throughline on modernity vs tradition
High time indeed, this was a powerful essay that words things better than I could and that I whole-heartedly agree with. Our ancestors knew and understood what all generations after the baby-boomers forgot; demons abound and monsters lie in wait for the slightest opportunity. This is why we have begun to lose all, especially our nations and our innocence to the demons in question, it is why we must remember the barbarian within if we want the slightest chance of fighting back to reclaim what is ours.
Agree on all points. I believe modern society has been too successful for its own good: we have received, as an heirloom, the fruits of centuries of technological, metaphysical and intellectual development. But somewhere along the line, we weren't taught the proper way to manage this treasure, and spent it away carelessly like the prodigal son. And worse, we've assumed that the entire world thinks the same way and believes the same things.
It's high time we reject naivety and remember that, to be innocent as doves, we must also be shrewd as snakes.
That was excellent. I remember the first time I read Dracula. I came across it by accident on a library table and thought "I should read this, it's supposed to be a classic." I was amazed, and still am.
Your last line sticks the landing, hard. I think sometimes of the line from Pirates of the Caribbean, when Barbossa tells Elizabeth "You best start believing in ghost stories, Miss Turner. You're in one." Yep. We all are.
Thank you for reading! I had a similar experience with my first reading of Dracula. It's impressive how better and better it gets the more you read it!
I remember my first reaction as I read through: "wait a minute, has the Internet lied to me? This book isn't about being gay at all!"
That about sums up why I wanted to adress its throughline on modernity vs tradition
High time indeed, this was a powerful essay that words things better than I could and that I whole-heartedly agree with. Our ancestors knew and understood what all generations after the baby-boomers forgot; demons abound and monsters lie in wait for the slightest opportunity. This is why we have begun to lose all, especially our nations and our innocence to the demons in question, it is why we must remember the barbarian within if we want the slightest chance of fighting back to reclaim what is ours.
Agree on all points. I believe modern society has been too successful for its own good: we have received, as an heirloom, the fruits of centuries of technological, metaphysical and intellectual development. But somewhere along the line, we weren't taught the proper way to manage this treasure, and spent it away carelessly like the prodigal son. And worse, we've assumed that the entire world thinks the same way and believes the same things.
It's high time we reject naivety and remember that, to be innocent as doves, we must also be shrewd as snakes.
Absolutely excellent article.
Glad you enjoyed it!