A Semiotic Analysis of…

By: Jacki Cone-Auslender

When The Vampire Diaries first came on the scene in 2009 there was initially a lot of scrutiny stating that it was simply Twilight in a television series....

Is The Vampire Diaries merely Twilight in disguise?

Let’s figure this all out…

•Shy, clumsy girl loves Vampire. •Also loves Werewolf •But, loves Vampire more. •Wants to become a Vampire.

•Attractive Vampire loves girl more than anything. •Hates who he is…a monster •Doesn’t want girl to become a Vampire.

•Werewolf loves girl. •Werewolf LOATHES Vampire. •Werewolf doesn’t want girl to become a Vampire.

Jacki’s Twilight Spark Notes:

Elena Gilbert

Stefan Salvatore

Damon Salvatore

Bella Swan

Edward Cullen

Jacob Black

Spotlight on… Elena Gilbert (Signifier)

Popular Desire to Stay Human Family Oriented

Doppelganger Unselfish

Selfless Protective

Spotlight on… Bella Swan (Signifier)

Socially Awkward

Desire to Become a Vampire Only Child Determined

Slightly Torn

Completely Torn

Clumsy

Cheerleader

Human

Spotlight on… Stefan Salvatore (Signifier) Attractive

Only Eats Animals Family Issues Hidden Dark Side Vampire

In Love Protective

Spotlight on… Edward Cullen (Signifier)

Pure of Heart

Hates who he is (Vampire) Family Oriented In Love

Pure of Heart GOOD

Only Eats Animals

GOOD

Attractive

Spotlight on… Damon Salvatore (Signifier) Attractive

Killer Family Issues

Loose Cannon Vampire

In Love Protective

Spotlight on… Jacob Black (Signifier)

Pure of Heart

Hatred of Vampires Loyal In Love

Impulsive Dark

WEREWOLF

GOOD

Attractive

Odd one out

Odd one out

Elena Gilbert

Stefan Salvatore

Damon Salvatore

Bella Swan

Edward Cullen

Jacob Black

Therefore…

(Close but not quite!)

Semiotic Concept: Metaphor

Semiotic Concept: Paradigmatic Analysis - Oppositions

Humanity VS Loss of Humanity Natural VS Supernatural

Loyalty VS Forced Following Good VS Evil

Semiotic Concept: Icons

Picture of Katherine that Stefan holds on to remind him of the pain she inflicted upon him and Damon.

Journals of Jonathon Gilbert reveal truths from the past and also predict what is doomed to be repeated in the future.

Semiotic Concept: Symbols

Elena’s Necklace: symbolic of her power over vampires. She can not be compelled by a vampire while wearing her Vervaine filled necklace.

Vampire Ring: symbolic of vampire’s enslavement to the sun. Without it they will burn in the sun.

White Oak Tree: symbolic of the end of the entire vampire species.

Semiotic Concept: Intertextuality

Twilight: In the third episode of The Vampire Diaries Damon lies in Caroline’s bed reading Twilight (perfect for this analysis!) He makes a comment about Edward being “whipped” which is ironic because the character of Edward and Damon’s brother Stefan are both vampires who are “whipped” by a human.

Semiotic Concept: Codes

KILL OR BE KILLED In order to save the ones you love sometimes innocent people must die.

Family doesn’t always mean you share DNA

BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER

All is fair in love and war…

Vampires Love Triangle Werewolves

Human girl in love with a vampire Attractive Cast Evil Vampires

Something “special” about female lead

Witches Hybrids

Ghosts Doppelganger

No desire to become a vampire

Brother love triangle Vampires burn in sun

Themes: family & humanity

Wants to become a vampire

Love triangle with vampire and werewolf

Vampires sparkle in the sun

Theme: epic love

At first glance, and during the first 10-15 minutes of the first episode of The Vampire Diaries, yes, the two seem similar. But as you can see merely from the character outlines. The main characters are far from similar and the plot lines go in opposite directions almost immediately. The Vampire Diaries is a more raw portrayal of a vampire love story whereas Twilight is much more a glamorized portrayal. Of a somewhat seemingly similar story.

Sources Dahl, J. (Director) (2009). Friday night bites [Television series episode]. In Levy, B. (Executive Producer), The Vampire Diaries. Los Angeles: CWTV. Hardwicke, C. (Director) (2008). Twilight [DVD]. Somerholder, I. (2010, January 26). Interview by ITN News [Video Tape Recording]. Vampire diaries vs twilight. , Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uwK3laCY20