I Am Legend

As a creature of legend, the vampire in I Am Legend has several symbolic meanings. Firstly, female vampires (infected and Undead) are highly sexualized, which coincides with the vampire’s often sexualized nature in other works such as Dracula; their beauty belies their inherent danger (such being the case for Ruth, despite Robert Neville’s lack of attraction to her). Secondly, the vampire is a symbol for ostracized groups who are often victims of violence by a majority (perhaps reflected in Neville’s growing sympathy for the Undead). Finally, the vampire symbolizes the influence of legend, expectation, and fear in the absence of science. After all, the infected and Undead are heavily influenced by expectations of vampiric behavior (i.e., their thirst for blood and weaknesses to garlic, mirrors, crosses, and moving water).

At Neville’s lowest point, he again considers suicide to escape his dangerous, lonely life. The stray dog he discovers on his lawn symbolizes his hope for a future that includes companionship, as well as his need to protect and care for another being. Rather than exacerbating Neville’s depression, the dog’s death reinforces his sense of hope that other humans may have survived the contagion (89). Neville’s hope results in him wanting to care for