What's in a Name?

I'm sure you are wondering why I titled this blog Thoughts from Solitude.

Simple. Thoughts from Starbucks lacks the same poetic impact as the current title.

-Dan

Overinterpretation in the Literary World Part II

Christopher Lee in Dracula (1958)

Currently, I am reading Bram Stoker's classic Dracula. Undoubtedly, Dracula is a figure of carnal sexuality and sensuality. During a period when the societal views towards sexuality were more stringent, it seems logical that the antagonist be the embodiment of sexuality (and all the dangers and corruption which that entails). Dracula comes in the night and seemingly hypnotizes women. Then, in a very intimate way, he takes them for his own by inserting himself (his teeth more specifically) into the female character characters of the novel which culminates in the taking of bodily fluids.

Using the symbols of Dracula as a backdrop, I will demonstrate how otherwise meaningless images can be assigned meaning and symbolic value.

There is a series of video games called 悪魔城ドラクラ, better known as the series Castlevania. The protagonists for the vast majority of the series are members of the Belmont clan. The Belmonts, utilizing a variety of sacred and holy weapons, battle Dracula and his followers. The Belmonts (at some point during the saga) are sanctioned by the Catholic Church in their crusade against evil. Essentially, the player becomes an avatar of the Church.

Simon Belmont prepares his entry into Dracula's lair

During the start of each game Dracula is somehow resurrected. The player is then treated to a scene of the holy crusader entering Dracula's vast and ghoul filled castle. The imagery is an exceptionally powerful view of the struggle between good and evil on the mortal plane. The Belmonts tend to be of muscular build (classically) which is a clear representation for the power of the Church. However, the crusader stands alone in the foreground against the vastness of Dracula's dark castle which is a representation, and later canon embodiment, of the evil in the hearts of men. The sole force of good able to oppose the seemingly unending darkness stands undaunted and bravely enters the castle to do battle.How true it is that the Church fights for our souls in a world filled with corruption and sin. It is the fundamental state of the world (as proclaimed by the Church) brought to life in game format!

Looking more closely at the battle between Dracula and the Belmonts, I'll remind you that Dracula is essentially a metaphor for the evil and corruptive power of sexuality, "Dracula's violent bloodsucking . . . can easily be read as obsessive sadistic substitutes for sexual gratification" (Dracula, intro xiii). What is the need for sex if not one of the core and primal moods of man? Indeed, the drive for sexual gratification and reproduction is a part of man still closely linked with his more animalistic nature. This is important to note since Dracula, despite his charm and refined manner, remains nothing more than unchecked sexuality. Essentially, Dracula is an animal (also shown in his ability to become a bat).

Shifting focus to the Belmonts; our protagonists do battle with Dracula not with swords but with a whip dubbed "Vampire Killer". "Vampire Killer" is endowed with the unique and ability to fight the darkness of Dracula. Classically, the taming of beasts is done with the aid of a whip (I will ignore the obvious sexual uses for whips that has developed in less mainstream sexual practices). It makes perfect sense that the holiest of weapons in the fight against Dracula is a whip.

The whip wielding Belmonts set against Dracula must therefore support the idea that the church alone has the power to help man fight back the sinful and animalistic impulses symbolized by Dracula.

To me, the imagery and symbolism of Dracula, the powerful Belmonts and the holy whip are far too clear to be anything but intentional on the part of the creators.

Of course, I could be over reading the images. The game's Dracula could be nothing more than an iconic villain used to appeal to a wide audience. The holy nature of the Belmonts and their weaponry could easily be seen as a logical counter to Dracula's clearly unholy nature. The whip may have just been an alternate weapon choice to the more common bladed weapons. These things may not combine in any meaningful symbolic way. They are just games afterall. But were my explanations particularly implausible?

Again, there is nothing wrong with attempting to interpret an create new meanings and theories works of art or even games. Finding patterns and logic in a chaotic world is part of the human condition. However, there must be a point where we acknowledge that sometimes we over interpret and then revere these over interpretations as virtual fact.

I leave you with a final word directed, with love and admiration, to my former high school English teacher: sometimes a green light is just a green light.

-Dan

Overinterpretation in the Literary World Part I

I have always excelled in English and literature classes. Contrary to my mother's theories of a prodigious intellect, I offer a more humble explanation. I am good at interpreting literature for a simple reason: I am exceptionally adept at, for lack of a less vulgar phrase which conveys my talent more succinctly, bulls***ting.

I once engaged in an argument with a literature teacher (a kind, but often harsh taskmaster) about intentional placement of literary devices into works by authors. She adamantly believed that authors consciously insert most of the symbols and imagery into their works for the readers to interpret/discover. I took the view that, while a great deal of symbols and literary devices may be purposefully placed, it is just as likely that literary scholars throughout time have merely given meaning to otherwise innocuous images.

This is not bad mind you. By forming new symbols and meanings, the ability to appreciate a story transcends just superficial levels of thought. However, all too often the literary scholars take the more sanctioned interpretations of literature and teach them to students as dogma. These zealous literary scholars take their interpretations and, often, over-interpretations far too seriously and penalize those who do not agree with the accepted symbolic value of a work.

Tonight, I will demonstrate how the absurdity of over-interpretation can be stretched. While I will certainly receive criticism for using a non traditional medium as an example of over-interpretation, I believe it will underscore the absurdity I am hoping to demonstrate.

Without a Muse

The drive to write has struck, but I find myself without inspiration. I imagine the following will lack the beauty and finesse which I strive, yet all so often fail, to accomplish in my drab writings.

This entry will be one of many attempts at restarting my writing since my move to Yokohama. For lack of better topics, I suppose it appropriate to chronicle (in abridged form) my life since I departed from Japan following my first trip here in 2008 (as told in my first blog Nan Desu Ka?!: Dan's cliche' blog. . .).

Upon returning to America I graduated from university. My final year was one of wonderful memories, but also a time of considerable readjustment. Presumably, preparing for entry into the "real world" is a generally unpleasant matter for all people, but I was also dealing with mild reverse culture shock which seemed to add different dimension to this turbulent time.

Upon graduation, I obtained work in Japan. For one year I worked in a "rural" area of Japan. Contrary to what many would expect, I thoroughly enjoyed my life and work in rural Japan. Upon completion of my first work contract, I relocated, with much hesitation, to a more populated area of Japan. This brings me to the entry you are currently enjoying.

I am saddened to realize that the memories created over the past few years are slowly fading. While I am not particularly worried about early onset Alzheimer's, I do fear losing important memories over the natural course of time (as the mind is so often wont to do). Hopefully, I can stem the tide by restarting my writing.

Until next time,

-Dan

A Beginning

Greetings to my old readers and welcome to the new,

I thought it appropriate to try and explain this new project. After meditating on the topic, I believe I have found a way to describe this project.

Thoughts from Solitude is not a direct sequel (stylistically) to my former blog. Rather, she is a spiritual successor. Unlike my previous attempt, I make no guarantees of weekly updates or serialized segments. My goal is simply to write when the urge strikes. Hopefully, this will result in a different and more refined blog, but one still enjoyable to the reader.

-Dan