In my last entry, I took a brief look at the of werewolves no longer as creatures that go bump in the night, but as friends--very cute and cuddly and very sexy. Is there a deeper meaning to the domestication of these werewolves? Are werewolves no longer the "Big Bad Wolf" because of the acceptance of real wolves as more gentle, docile creatures that are more about family structure than random and viscious killing?
In 1995, wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park after much debate and controversy. That controversy still continues today, but that's a topic for another blog. Despite the controversy though, wolves have been embraced by a large number of people. Wolves can be seen everywhere. On coffee mugs, t-shirts, paintings, figurines, etc. Wolves are the new "it" thing. They are the number one draw for visitors at Yellowstone Park. And, science has proved that they are needed. They are an integral part of the ecosystem. They have ceased to be the "Big Bad Wolf" that stalked Little Red Riding Hood or blew down the Three Little Pigs' house.
What does this all mean for werewolves that stalked the silver screen and terrorized the countryside? Well, we get characters like Jacob Black from Twilight. Werewolves are suddenly a protector character. Strong, intelligent, capable of their own greatness, they have transformed themselves from the antagonist to the protagonist; the villian to the hero. Is this because of the plight of real wolves? Are these two creatures fates entertwined? The evidence seems to point to yes. And if that's the case, then perhaps the continuation of these "nice" werewolves will only help to improve wolf relations in their continuing struggle for life in the western states.
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