But are his needs any more shocking than the needs of any other animals and men? Are his deeds more outrageous than the deeds of the parent who drained the spirit from his child? The vampire may foster quickened heartbeats and levitated hair. But is he worse than the parent who gave to society a neurotic child who became a politician? Is he worse than the manufacturer who set up belated foundations with the money he made by handing bombs and guns to suicidal nationalists? Is he worse than the distiller who gave bastardized grain juice to stultify further the brains of those who, sober, were incapable of progressive thought? (Nay, I apologize for this calumny; I nip the brew that feeds me.) Is he worse, then, than the publisher who filled ubiquitous racks with lust and death wishes? Really, no, search your soul, lovie--is the vampire so bad?
--Richard Matheson, I Am Legend
Oddly true and so well written. Oh, to have words like that.
ReplyDeleteRichard Matheson was a very talented fellow, Mitchell. Had a long career not just writing science-fiction and fantasy novels but also screenplays (the Robert Cormen-Vincent Price Edgar Allen Poe movies) and teleplays ("Nightmare at 20,000 Feet", the Twilight Zone episode where William Shatner sees the goblin on the airplane.)
DeleteIt’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? I will sharpen my teeth and sally forth untroubled by my conscience.
ReplyDeleteJust make sure to avoid garlic, David.
DeleteWell, everything is relative, as they say.
ReplyDeleteThe undead would have to be, Debra.
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