Orlok Otherness Analysis

Subsequently if Orlok is not an overt metaphor for anti-Semitic otherness, then what is the otherness he is representing? Just as Orlok is an amalgam of man and beast so too is his otherness rendering him as a symbols any form of the other that encroached on Germany. For example, Orloks lust for Ellen can represent the otherness of the French-African troops that had occupied the Rhineland in 1919 and been falsely accused of sexually assaulting German women. Conversely, Ellens seeming desire for Orlok can also be seen as Weimar society 's fear that this other will corrupt the pure womenfolk of Germany with their exotic ways. Moreover, as the film points out only the pure hart of a woman can defeat Orlok , seeming giving the idea of a sexually liberated women in Weimar society as having an otherness themselves, one that as Elsesser puts it, must die with Orlok for natural order to be restored . In addition this otherness that Orlok awakens in women can be applied

Mabuse has a more singular if not more frightening otherness to him. If Orloks otherness is plain for to see, Mabuse is not. His otherness does not stem from the physical appearance but from the intangible as Mabuse is an invisible hand that puts events into motion. This idea is inferred at the very start of the movie where we see Mabuse playing with a set of cards, which seem normal until they are shown to be personas that Mabuse adopts. This implies that Mabuse is at once someone and no one, a theme that plays out at the end of the film. Moreover, this gives Mabuse the ability to select is otherness, unlike Orlok who 's otherness is defined by the viewer. It is this along with Mabuse 's hypnotic powers that make Mabuse truly freighting. For we see that by being adopting other personas Mabuse is able to more easily blend in to society and have is otherness change it without people being none the