The Gilda Stories is a very interesting novel. The first chapter helps set up the basis of the story and introduces the audience to the “old” Gilda and the “new” Gilda. The other purpose that the first chapter serves is to show the audience the difference between Gilda and the stereotypical image of a vampire. A human element is introduced to the vampire persona, or to Gilda’s persona at the very least. Gilda does not mindlessly kill her victims; rather she accesses their thoughts and tries to give them something back. For example, while she is taking blood from one man, she makes him have a wonderful dream so he is completely clueless at to what is going on. She also makes sure he is left enough blood to live. Gilda breaks the stereotype that vampires are mindless killing machines driven only by their blood lust.
The second chapter also explores the same idea that Gilda is not just a mindless monster. The second chapter actually sparked a pretty lively class debate about whether or not Gilda is “good” or “bad.” Some thought she can never be good because of what she has to do to survive. One cannot be good and do harm to others. Some other students thought that she is neither good nor bad. She tries to give back to her victims but because of her nature she can never be truly good unless she takes her own life to put an end to the blood sucking. I personally look at it as her handling her situation the best way she possibly can. It’s not her choice to be a vampire. She did not choose this life, it chose her. Therefore, she tries to give back when she takes a victim’s blood. That, I think, is the best she can do. So, technically speaking she is “good,” in a sense.
Alex Beilman; Blog post #2
You do a good job of identifying the major points from the first two chapters of the novel here.
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