Comments on: Jeckyll and Hyde Revisited in Teenage Vampire Tale http://jivingjackalope.com/2009/06/25/jeckyll-and-hyde-revisited-in-teenage-vampire-tale/ For Apple geeks, designers, productivity nerds, consumers of all things Mac/iOS, and lovers of perfectionism Sat, 05 May 2012 13:45:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Ethical Vampires and Readers are Misunderstood « Joseph Darnell's Blog http://jivingjackalope.com/2009/06/25/jeckyll-and-hyde-revisited-in-teenage-vampire-tale/#comment-404 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:44:13 +0000 http://josephdarnell.com/?p=1879#comment-404 [...] this is the case — Twilight (read my review here ») started the vampire craze — something is strangely overlooked from those that are quick to point [...]

]]> By: Joe http://jivingjackalope.com/2009/06/25/jeckyll-and-hyde-revisited-in-teenage-vampire-tale/#comment-395 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:23:06 +0000 http://josephdarnell.com/?p=1879#comment-395 I had Mormons visit me a few months back while I was sitting in my front porch swing bench. We talked for a couple hours, then we agreed to meet again. We ended up meeting four times, and in that time I learned a great deal about Mormonism. It is amazing to me how inconsistent the men were I spoke with. An incredible amount of their religion is dependent on the testimony of a very few, and the other part of their faith in dependent on fluctuating relativism. I admire there faith, but not their sense.

]]> By: ericajean27 http://jivingjackalope.com/2009/06/25/jeckyll-and-hyde-revisited-in-teenage-vampire-tale/#comment-387 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:18:09 +0000 http://josephdarnell.com/?p=1879#comment-387 I just love your blog posts on this topic! I for one, enjoy Twilight and the rest of the series. It captured my attention because there was this dichotomy of innocence/evil and then it was so cotemporary in that it was set in a highschool, there was prom, meeting new friends- it took me back.

The morals seen in the book, may be due to the author herself. She is a Mormon(very different from us Christians), nonetheless she believes in a Creator and disagrees with explicit sex in novels.

]]> By: Michael Foster http://jivingjackalope.com/2009/06/25/jeckyll-and-hyde-revisited-in-teenage-vampire-tale/#comment-365 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:36:46 +0000 http://josephdarnell.com/?p=1879#comment-365 I admit that I have sinned as a high school English teacher. I have not read “Twilight”…. I suppose I should, just to be “culturally current.”
In fact, it was on that basis that I initially read the Harry Potter series. After a couple of tries, it wasn’t until the end of the second book that I “got it.” I understood the hype, but I also began to relate to it on a deeper level as a Christian English teacher. I saw it in the terms of biblical Truth.
As far as the portrayal of magic goes, I did not see it as “morally ambiguous.” Good magic and bad magic were not portrayed as equal. Good was clearly superior and was obviously going to prevail. In addition, good magic was inherently good, while bad magic was foundationally weak. I saw it in terms of spiritual warfare, in which the kingdoms of light and darkness are battling, but not in terms of equality, though it seems at times on earth that evil is the stronger. Such is the portrayal in Harry Potter.
In the final book, the Christian parallels become obvious, besides the discovery of the Bible by Harry in his parents’ destroyed house. In order to destroy the evil that resides within (not just without), Harry must willingly sacrifice his life. Because he lays down his life for his friends, he is returned to life, much like Aslan in “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” Sounds kind of familiar….
As far as the argument that the series would awaken an interest in the occult, I don’t think it would in and of itself. However, the unauthorized merchandizing of books on how to be a wizard, or how to cast spells, etc. might do so. But that fault cannot be laid at the doorstep of Harry Potter, at least explicitly.
I remember when both the Narnia books and “The Lord of the Rings” were considered inappropriate for Christians, despite the fact that both authors were devout Christians. Rowling has stated that her intention in writing the books was to seek out her faith in Christ. I do not know where her search finally led her, but I do know how she ended the series, on a definite Christ-figure parallel.
Would any of this be evident to the 10-year-old reader? I doubt it. I admit that I am reading the books as an adult, Christian, English teacher, so I don’t know that I would either recommend these books for children without a lot of adult interaction. In other words, “I’m a professional. Don’t try this at home.” :o)
As far as this all refers to “Twilight,” I guess I’m missing how exactly vampires are okay and wizards are not. To be technical, both have their roots in Satan worship (in a loose definition). What I’m hearing you say is, “I’ve read Twilight and it is not morally ambiguous, and I have not ready Harry Potter and only know what I’ve heard about it, but I’m still proclaiming it as morally ambiguous.” I guess I have problems with the stance of, in the words of Steve Martin’s “Grandmother’s Song,” “Criticize things you don’t know about.” :o) And I admit fully that the major reason I haven’t read “Twilight” is due to the vampire theme (that, and it sounds like a kissy book). So I admit my inconsistency, and I will probably read them based on your recommendation. If I’m exposing myself to demonic influence, it’s your fault. :o) But then, I’ve read Harry Potter, so what’s the difference?
In the end, I suppose the question is: All Truth is God’s Truth, no matter where it’s found. But is there a point whether the framework, be it wizards or vampires, negates that Truth?

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