Dracula Program Analysis

This show, Program, is set in a utopian universe inspired by the iconic novel by Bram Stoker, Dracula. Within this utopian society, the poor population makes up the majority of the overall population and yet the 1% of wealthy hold all the power and control the government. The poor population are desperate for a way out of the system of poverty. Due to this, the president, O.J. OndskaKraft, offers a program in which those living in poverty may compete either individually or as team for what is advertised as “A life reborn. Stronger and resilient.” This competition consists of tests that require drive, physical strength, and mental genius. Participants start the tests within their towns. Each test is unique to each person or team as the government
Van Helsing describes many of Dracula’s qualities including how he is “cunning more than mortal” (CITE.241). The president within this show will uphold this common vampire trait as during Matilda and Frankie’s discovery of their sanguinarian, vampire president there will be flashbacks showing Ondskakraft’s rise to power in which he shows incredible cunningness that allow him to become powerful. Not to mention, Ondskakraft’s program that would have allowed him access to a controllable vampire army is sourced from Bram Stoker’s idea that “all the dead that he can come nigh are for [Dracula] at command” as he would be able to control all the vampires that were recruited through his program (CITE. 241). As for Matilda and Frankie, they are similar to Van Helsing as both worked in a hospital from their hometown and therefore understand medical proceedings. Additionally, both are skeptical and almost refuse the possibility of vampirism just as Johnathan Harker did. However both soon realize the reality of the situation; this similarity can be seen through the quote “A year ago which of us would have received such a possibility, in the midst of our scientific, skeptical, matter-of-fact nineteenth century” seen in
The president has a condition called haematodipsia which is the sexual attraction to blood (CITE). This explains his desire to form the sanguinarian government as well as desire to be a vampire in general. As for sanguinarians, these people are seen as a ‘modern vampire’ as they have a physical need to drink blood and report feelings of extra physical and mental strength although appear remotely human. Additionally, Dracula is an allegory for repressed sexual feelings (CITE). In comparison, Program will be an allegory for repressed duty of the state or the duties of the government. This is also plays off of the current state of American politics in which the 1 percent take government positions and public servant roles which shows the lack of democratic representation (CITE). Additionally, within Dracula, characters’ names are significant such as Dracula’s which means devil; within Program, the names are significant as well. Oj Ondskakraft translated from Swedish to English means oops or oh evil power. Matilda in German means strength and battle and Frankie means free one in Latin which is fitting as she is freed from her fate as a vampire. Program’s overall themes and purpose relate to that of Dracula but continue the vampire myth in its own