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I've noticed that lots of fans of the Sookie Stackhouse novels are disappointed in the show ... I cannot comment on this issue, because I am only just starting to read the first novel myself. I can however, comment on one aspect of the show that I love, and that is its tendancy to comment on various issues in society.
I was an English major in University, and one of my favourite classes was Monsters in Literature. We read books like Dracula, and learned that monsters usually reflect what a society hates or fears. In the case of Dracula, my professor argued that Dracula represented a Jew, and that vampires were compared to jews in this book, as Bram Stoker lived in a time of much anti-semitism. She pointed out a scene in which Dracula is about to suck the blood of a baby, and explained that anti-semites believed that Jews drank the blood of Christian babies, as one example. This was my first thought when the three vampires at Bill's house tell Sookie that baby's blood is the best tasting blood.
It seems that True Blood is another monster story that comments on society, but what I love is that it takes the traditional idea of monsters representing what society hates or fears and turns it on its head! Instead of promoting fear or hatred against minorities, True Blood points out that it is more monstrous to discriminate. It also points out that some groups of people less-likely associated with evil (such as churches) are often the source of evil, and deserve more fear than immigrants, queer people, those of colour, people with health conditions such as AIDS, perhaps people with substance abuse problems, and possibly several others who are feared or suspiscious to the mainstream and conservative.
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 6, 2009 8:00 PM
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Whether someone wants to accept and work against the slick storylines, in most TV and Movies/examine and explain to their children the truth or not; The Storylines are going to be used by the TV and Movies/Meida owners to brainwash the viewers and readers and etc to slowly erase what is around them/truth and replace it with what the TV and Movies/Meida owners want it to be. To control us and manipulate our systems (political and etc).
Animal Farm is an example of using Fantasy world of talking animals to promote a better, what I am talking about is promoting a worse affect and maintaining it. Animal Farm is not completely Fantasy, because it uses what we know; thankfully the person who created Animal Farm used it for a good.
In this day in age, people like AB create greate shows; however, that may be bad for the the greater us. If he created a great show and was good for the the greater us, then HBO's management would pull it. Look at Bill Mhaur's (sp?) 'Real Time' first he was accepting the war, then it became acceptable he switched to not accepting the war. He is sexist regularly on his show. And he pulls his punches. Why simply he knows his bosses, could and would replace him with reality show or another orginial series in a heart beat.
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Edited by GreatWhiteOwnerTheGWsSAs at 09/06/2009 5:01 PM PDT
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 6, 2009 5:46 PM
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> I do too, and what you are saying is completely
> understandable and acceptable to; however, whether
> you want examine what the reasons are for what is
> shown and how it is shown affects you unless you
> question why (shows like 'TB' which are Fantasy
> within your current world) the reasons what is shown
> and how it is shown. If it was Fantasy in not in our
> world (including dealing with similar or exactly same
> issues, not the past, present and near future and
> etc), then no need to think about it; because we
> understand it has no relation to us.
>
I'm not sure I totally understand what you mean. Do you have a theory about why certain things are shown and how on TB (other than that they are expressing the views of the creators and those working on the show, because this is sort of obvious)? Do you have a theory about what their views actually are based on what they are showing?
I'm also not sure if I agree that a pure fantasy world that has nothing to do with our own world has no relation to us. I think sometimes it does not, but I think there are probably some cases where it does. I'm not sure if I can think of an exact example, but perhaps Animal Farm could be a sort of example. It is fantasy in the sense that animals can talk and think, and view humans as the enemy, but I suppose it is somewhat situated within our world. Still ... it uses animals recreate the Communist Revolution in Russia and the consequences. I'm sure someone could create such a story with aliens, elves, or some other creatures in a non-human world.
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 5, 2009 11:27 AM
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> There are points within these comments that I agree
> and disagree with. However, at the end of the day I
> watch True Blood because I enjoy the storyline and
> most of the characters...and both take me away from
> some of the day to day BS that I deal with getting
> through life. I don't want to over think it or over
> complicate it...just enjoy the True Blood programming
> and let AB take care of the rest.
I agree with you too! I watch because I enjoy the show. I love the books too. I'm not mad at AB because he changed things. I think it would be boring if everything was the same as the book. We would not have Lafayette if he followed the books. There are things I don't like in the show but I don't love it any less. It is great to follow them both!
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 5, 2009 11:17 AM
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> I know very well about how the owners of the media
> determine what is portrayed, I am not denying this at
> all. I simply wanted to create a thread relating to
> what this show says about society. I too like to get
> lost in the suspense, plot, and character
> interactions, but it's in my nature to examine the
> views behind what is being shown.
I do too, and what you are saying is completely understandable and acceptable to; however, whether you want examine what the reasons are for what is shown and how it is shown affects you unless you question why (shows like 'TB' which are Fantasy within your current world) the reasons what is shown and how it is shown. If it was Fantasy in not in our world (including dealing with similar or exactly same issues, not the past, present and near future and etc), then no need to think about it; because we understand it has no relation to us.
Maybe this does
> not mean a lot to anyone else, but there are
> definitely many films and shows that preach hate,
> unacceptance or just a very rigid view of what is
> acceptable and good.
I love the media that shows me something I did not know before or provides me a better understanding. I also love media that shows me a unique and/or fantasy world, where I do not need to think. And it does not have to come from just what I find comfortable (current problem too many of us want comfortable media to uncomfortable facts of life, thus we receive comfortable lies of what the facts of life are). I am thinking of 'Citizen Cane' pulled no strings, almost never was released, but it did expose a horrible person and how he became horrible. I am also thinking of 'History X' made and still makes me grimance; however, I love the movie. I love original 'King Kong' (man conquering nature) and cried when he died and I am a die hard original 'Star Wars' movies fan. My favorite Sports movie is 'Radio'.
Sometimes it may be
> unintentional of course - it's not all propoganda -
> but I think so many impressionable people take things
> for granted as fact without realizing they are even
> forming an opinion about anything. I say this
> because I've had the pleasure of knowing many such
> impressionable people who assume things about me and
> my family simply beccause we may look and dress
> differently or simply hold different beliefs.
You could not be more right. It is not children who are affect by showing something, in such reflect shows, and not questioning or someone else question it.
I
> guess you can say I identify with the vampires in
> some ways ... and with Sookie.
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 5, 2009 2:11 AM
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I know very well about how the owners of the media determine what is portrayed, I am not denying this at all. I simply wanted to create a thread relating to what this show says about society. I too like to get lost in the suspense, plot, and character interactions, but it's in my nature to examine the views behind what is being shown. Maybe this does not mean a lot to anyone else, but there are definitely many films and shows that preach hate, unacceptance or just a very rigid view of what is acceptable and good. Sometimes it may be unintentional of course - it's not all propoganda - but I think so many impressionable people take things for granted as fact without realizing they are even forming an opinion about anything. I say this because I've had the pleasure of knowing many such impressionable people who assume things about me and my family simply beccause we may look and dress differently or simply hold different beliefs. I guess you can say I identify with the vampires in some ways ... and with Sookie.
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 4, 2009 7:49 PM
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In Six Feet Under, Alan Ball explored the random nature of death and unpredictability of life. He began each episode with someone dying in a most unusual way. His characters had to struggle with tragic events and give purpose to their lives.
AB takes a different approach in True Blood. He starts with a world filled vampires, shapeshifters, maenads and telepaths. He uses these supernaturals interaction with breathers to examine the human condition. The plotlines are unworldly and emotions exaggerated. I believe AB uses these devices to represent man's struggle to find meaning in life and death. In a way, no different than Six Feet Under.
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 4, 2009 12:44 PM
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carly59,
Ab is Alan Ball, the creator and I think one of the producers and writers of 'True Blood.'
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Edited by GreatWhiteOwnerTheGWsSAs at 09/04/2009 9:44 AM PDT
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 4, 2009 10:24 AM
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>I did see someone on TV (can't remember who) who spoke of True Blood's social commentary on the rights of vampires presented as a comparison to gay rights. However, there is a hole in that theory since so many vampires are not mainstreamed and continue their evil ways.
Yes, and that's a pretty big hole. It seems to me that the majority of vampires on the show are not trying to mainstream or subsist on True Blood, but we're never given any hard data by Nan Flanagan or anyone else.
True Blood Screencaps
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 4, 2009 8:53 AM
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Carly59
Although I love to analyze things, I agree with you that it is fun to just get lost in the story and forget about the real world.
I did see someone on TV (can't remember who) who spoke of True Blood's social commentary on the rights of vampires presented as a comparison to gay rights. However, there is a hole in that theory since so many vampires are not mainstreamed and continue their evil ways. I suppose one can become too analytical.
Andromache
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 4, 2009 8:47 AM
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Thanks for the welcome Agale.
Andromache
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 3, 2009 9:39 PM
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> There are points within these comments that I agree
> and disagree with. However, at the end of the day I
> watch True Blood because I enjoy the storyline and
> most of the characters...and both take me away from
> some of the day to day BS that I deal with getting
> through life. I don't want to over think it or over
> complicate it...just enjoy the True Blood programming
> and let AB take care of the rest.
i don't know what ab is but i agree with your post. when i watch true blood, i like to just put my brain on coast and enjoy the primitive and raw stuff without over thinking the whole thing.
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 3, 2009 9:23 PM
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Hi Andromache.
Welcomw to the boards and discussions 
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 3, 2009 8:51 PM
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Hello, I'm new to this forum. The comments on this thread are quite interesting.
I'm an English instructor, and many of the stories that we read feature evil characters who might be perceived as monsters, but in the final analysis, are just evil humans. We tend to prefer the monster theory because it is uncomfortable to admit that our species can perpetrate such evil in the world. In True Blood, the "monsters" are clearly defined as such, but they are placed side by side with evil humans like Rene and bigoted humans like the members of the Fellowship. It is a wonderful mix and completely thought provoking.
Andromache
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 3, 2009 6:52 PM
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There are points within these comments that I agree and disagree with. However, at the end of the day I watch True Blood because I enjoy the storyline and most of the characters...and both take me away from some of the day to day BS that I deal with getting through life. I don't want to over think it or over complicate it...just enjoy the True Blood programming and let AB take care of the rest.
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Re: True Blood Commenting on Issues in Society
Sep 3, 2009 5:11 PM
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> I'm not arguing about who does or does not own the
> media. That does not necessarily bother me depending
> on what they portray.
> I can't say that I think True Blood is doing a
> bad job because it's primary goal is not as a social
> tool, but as a fictional TV show ... it can only do
> so much in its form.
> As an English major though, I have to disagree about
> the importance of fiction/fantasy reflecting our
> world and commenting on it. I think sometimes
> entertainment has a way of speaking to people and
> getting them to understand issues in ways that
> preachy politicians or activists cannot. I think
> that for a lot of people they can spread awareness of
> an issue without people even realizing it.
> Entertainment can attempt to point out the existence
> e of problems to people who are unaware or apathetic,
> and make an arguement about how to help solve certain
> problems. Sometimes I think these things are more
> evident in hindsight, when people examine a past
> movie or TV show, study the social issues that
> occurred at the time, and ask former fans what they
> thought of the product at the time.
Who owns in the media determines what you hear, read & watch. End of story. Find out the issues that The English face and watch BBC, not BBC America, and then keep in mind what you know as USAn issues and watch any USAn TV Channel. If you honestly done that, then you will see the truth.
Actually, entertainment and most media uses its' owners' biases either to purposely come up short or slant the issues to a fantasy to what happens in real life. And flood the entertainment media outlets with shows with these horrible reflexions of the issues we live in every day. When they are rarely called out, because it made public enough that they have to respond, they always say they are fantasy, we cannot be faulted if our viewers take what they interpurpert from our shows. Which of course they are at best excuse making and at worse lying, using what I learned from my courses in business and Public Relations, I call it Bad PRing.
Whether, we (cause outside of sexuality and inclusion of as many different races as possible, I agree with you) believe it does not and should not reflex our problems and etc, the fact is the owners of the media are using media to brainwash people to believing their version of what problems and etc we and other people live with.
If the people who are always doing this was regulated into protraying true USAn experience (exspecially in the programs of news and informational) then people would use the sources they should be using and remember those sources. I mean if you know what you are watch is BLANK on a issue, then you are not going to remember the message behind of the protral of the issue; however, you will remember scenes, what happened, characters and etc.
'TB's not having non-white and white sex, couple, more than one-gay person (let alone not one-gay person who does not do sex for money) and not even to mention gay sex, couples and friends are a perfect example of what I am talking about in this post. Think about if you were a gay woman (let alone a gay man) and saw the gay character who uses sex for money and deals drugs, yet not a single other gay person on the show. How could you not be upset about that and have it not reflect your life.
What about my White Aunt who is married to a Black Man and lives in a farming community of Redland, which people think of as a redneck community- because of the racial difficulties and rural aspect. My black Uncle Inlaw has adopted my brother and I as his own children, his wife could not have children. We had parents and we lived five feet away; so he did not have to create such a close relationship with us. The reason he did it was because he is a awesome human being and my old relatives in my family adopted him in the 60s, long before he ever was attracted to my Aunt. We adopted him because he was not getting what he need from his own family; I am not saying any race of people does raise their children right.
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