Literature
The Absence of WWII Veterans in Vampires Stories: A Case Study of Anne Rice, Stephanie Meyer, and L.J. Smith
The Absence of WWII Veterans in Vampires' Stories: A Case Study of Anne Rice, Stephanie Meyer, and L.J. Smith
The question often arises why vampire novel authors such as Anne Rice, Stephanie Meyer, and L.J. Smith have not included any characters that were Nazi’s during World War II or, at the very least, American soldiers in their narratives. While some might suggest that these characters could add an interesting historical twist, the lack of such depictions can be explained by a few key factors, including the authors' own backgrounds and the historical context of their work.
Occam's Razor: Simplicity in Storytelling
The principle of Occam's Razor suggests that the simplest explanation is usually the best one. In the context of these authors, it is fair to say that the authors did not feel the need to include specific WWII characters for their plots primarily because it would not have served their narrative purposes. The focus of these novels typically revolves around the mysterious and ancient nature of vampires, rather than historical events.
Historical Context of WWII in Vampire Novels
World War II is a relatively recent event when compared to the epic timelines of vampire literature. For most vampire novelists, including Anne Rice, WWII is not part of the distant past but rather a more recent historical period. Anne Rice, born in 1941, still had living veterans and family members who had experienced the war. Similarly, Stephanie Meyer, born in 1973, and L.J. Smith, born in 1954, likely knew many WWII veterans in their lives. These experiences likely influenced their decision to not incorporate such characters into their stories.
Age and Life Expectancy Considerations
The age of a vampire drastically affects their ability to participate in historical events. For example, Anne Rice's vampire, Lestat, was a young man in the 18th century, not an old veteran from WWII. The average WWII veteran was born around 1900 and might have been around 45-50 years old in 1976 when 'Interview with a Vampire' was published. A vampire must be mortal and avoid direct sunlight, making it impossible for them to participate in military training and battles. Even if a vampire somehow survived the war, it would only be for a few decades before they would age into their feral state.
Character Archetypes and Storytelling Purposes
The characters of Anne Rice, Stephanie Meyer, and L.J. Smith serve specific storytelling purposes. Vampires in their stories are often presented as ancient, mysterious figures struggling with the clash between their old lives and modern times or as lonely beings who have lost the love of their lives. This narrative framework is designed to create a sense of mystery, history, and emotional depth that resonates with readers. Including historical characters like WWII veterans would not only complicate the narrative but also dilute the core themes and emotions that the authors are trying to convey.
Laurell K. Hamilton's Vampire World: A Different Approach
While the vampires in Anne Rice and Stephanie Meyer's worlds remain hidden from the world, Laurell K. Hamilton's vampires, like those in the Anita Blake series, are integrated into the world in which they live. Vampires in this universe are not hiding their existence, which allows for a different approach to storytelling. The Anita Blake series can explore various themes, including the presence of newer vampires who must hide their existence from their contemporaries. However, this is generally not the role that vampires play in Anne Rice and Meyer's worlds, where the focus is on the ancient and mysterious nature of their characters.
Conclusion
The absence of WWII veterans in Anne Rice, Stephanie Meyer, and L.J. Smith's vampire novels is a consequence of the authors' backgrounds, historical context, and the specific storytelling purposes of their works. These vampire narratives emphasize the mysterious and ancient nature of vampires rather than historical events. The inclusion of historic characters could have been interesting, but it would not align with the core themes and archetypes established in these authors' stories.
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