Gorenza
I would say good luck.
Kouta Hirano has proven to be a genius of accidental depth and meaning.
So your attempting to argue the point that the series focuses on the essence of humanity? Hummmm.... ok. Would you say that Alucard is on a quest of redemption then? I think there might be quite a discussion due to your little project. I only fear that it will be much to slow to be of any help to you.
First it is obvious that there are three characters that are focused on in the anime. The trails of each are going to help you prove your point and the point of the series.
Alucard:
Seras:
Integra:
I would pay close attention to how Hirano uses monsters in his story.
You might have to struggle with the idea, "Why is humanity so important?"
This might even bring one to a revelation as to why some one who had lost his humanity suddenly has the power to protect it. Could Alucards curse be a second chance at discovering what is really important? If this is true he makes an excellent character as a teaching device. It's the can an old dog learn new tricks approach. Meanwhile we have Seras struggling for the first time what Alucard has for centuries. She takes a far more active role. She tells us how she feels. We know exactly how hard it is for her because of her words and actions. Then we have Integra, as Sir Catherine can tell you she is our pillar of strength. She is the only person in this world that Alucard respects. We don't know what her decedent said to Dracula that could have caused such a transformation in him. I do believe that it involves the strength of humanity. No doubt Dracula or Alucard for that matter could crush any man who dared try to subjugate him. If you understand people then I could make a guess as to what kind of man Abraham Van Helsing was. (Could it be that the only way to destroy a true monster is to change him from with in?) Integra struggles quite a bit in this series actually. Although she would not hesitate to take her own life then to become a beast. She can't help but witness that her own kind are far more diabolical and cruel than any monster.
Alucard has his way of changing the world. Ultimately the battle is with in.
He is more or less fighting of his own humanity then anything else.
Integra is trying to up hold the ideals that humans should keep sacred but she is on slippery ground. Many of those ideas are slipping away and it threatens to take her with them. She has to hold to her faith in her own kind as only a human can. Although changing on to Alucards side would allow her the strength to right the wrongs she desperately wants to adjust, in the end this would only prove a terrible point. ( All men are created inherently evil). (Could it be that Abraham Van Helsing offered Dracula a chance to discover just this?)
Seras is the final say in this battle between the soul of man. Since she is caught in between all she can do is observe. To the side that makes the best argument her loyalties will lye. In her current state she really has no place in this world. Either she is a vampire follows her nature fulfills her self as a vampire must or she can live/die as a human.
Anyway it is quite an interesting story. I will be sad to see it completed.
The theme I decided on is "It is a person's choices that makes them what they are: man, dog, or monster".
The contributing elements I selected are as follows:
Opening scene/chapter - Volume 1, which introduces the characters and the primary conflict (that of man vs. monster) which pervades the novel.
Most important scene - Alucard's flashback in the final chapter of Volume 8, in which we learn why Alucard chose to become a vampire.
Ending - In the conflict of man vs. monster, men will prevail over monsters.
Title - "Hellsing," the name of the greatest monster-hunting family in history, their monster-hunting organization, and the series's main human character.
Pattern/motif - Choice and consequence (accepting consequence).
Symbol - Vampirism, which represents the consequences of refusing to accept the consequences of one's actions.
Character - Alucard, one of the only two characters in the series who has been a man, a dog, and a monster, and who seeks to be a man again.
If you'd like a more detailed description of how I selected these elements, I'd be more than happy to provide one for you.
I'm sure it would lead to a lovely discussion.
That being said, I'd like to comment on your character analysis.
Alucard - I agee with you entirely.
Hellsing is the story of Alucard's redemption.
Integra - I wouldn't go so far as to call her a "pillar of strength". If anything, she's a work in progress. Not only is
Hellsing the story of Alucard's redemption, but also of Integra's maturation. Integra is meant to become the perfect leader. She has already learned how to make difficult decisions and how to overcome difficult obstacles. However, she is still dependant on Alucard for support. Now she has to learn that she can fight her own battles, and win, without Alucard's help.
Seras - Seras has no place of her own because she is meant to take Alucard's (by Integra's side). For her to do this, Alucard must die. However, Seras will be Integra's weapon (as Alucard was), not her support (as Alucard was).
I do so love to analyze and discuss
Hellsing!
blaugh
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