The Evolution Of Vampire Literature - 2831 Words

Venice Franco Horror Literature Rutgers University Professor Rosetti August 12, 2014 The Evolution of Vampire Literature There are several genres of fiction at the reader’s disposal. Horror fiction certainly has a vast scope. Many of the stories can be classified into different sub-genres. Vampire literature is a particular sub-genre that has caught interest for centuries. According to online dictionary, Dictionary.com, the formal definition of a vampire is, â€Å"a preternatural being, commonly believed to be a reanimated corpse, that is said to suck the blood of sleeping persons at night.† Sightings of vampires have been documented as early as the 1000’s. Therefore, the archetype of vampires have started well before the vampires we know of today. Although one could agree there is a prejudice towards a vampire being an â€Å"evil† or antagonist character. Each century has significant piece of works that contribute to the sub-genre of vampire literature. From the 18th century vampire literature by Bram Stoker and John Polidori’s depiction of what exactly is a vampire. Then there was a wave of authors delving into the sub-genre. When thinking of modern vampire fiction, Anne Rice comes to mind as someone who helped it become more mainstream and inspire other modern authors to write their own vampire literature. The image of the vampire has changed over the years but in the end they are all out to suck blood. Some vampires may feel more remorseful than others. Vampires have beenShow MoreRelatedMonsters Are The Stars Of Entertainment For The Horror Industry1553 Words   |  7 Pagesproduce fear or panic. However; can this still apply to present day? Monsters have completely revolutionized. For example, Vampires have traditionally been categorized as evil, seductive and alluring creatures of the night. They moved through the night, hiding in shadows, and sleeping in coffins throughout the day. Yet, the modern vampire is far from this. Just like Vampires, Zombies have also have steadily gone through a complete shift of social compliance. In early m onster narratives, zombiesRead MoreThe Vampire in Folklore vs the Vampire in Literature1139 Words   |  5 PagesThe vampire, from folklore to literature is described as a â€Å"dead person that awakens in the night to suck the blood out of the living†. (Bartlett, pg 1) The evolution of the vampire itself has seen drastic changes from the time of the vampire in folklore; where he was seen as a scapegoat, being the cause of the plagues and had to be killed to restore a healthy civilization to, Bram Stocker’s literary vampire; where the vampire had become the heroic figure and had to be blamed for all the victimsRead MoreThe Myth Of Vampires And Frankenstein s Monster2077 Words   |  9 PagesVampires, mummies, werewolves, and Frankenstein’s monster have been a part of literature for seemingly eternity, but these creatures have not laid dormant in the world of literature. The classic monsters are constantly evolving, relying on misconceptions or pop culture†™s new ideas to push them along in the way they behave and are perceived. The perception of vampires has evolved from being hellish creatures to the icon of love stories in modern literature. The powers vampires contain has been steadilyRead MoreDracula, By Bram Stoker1291 Words   |  6 Pages ​Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, not only creates the early depiction of vampire stories; but writes more to contradict the age old beliefs of women and their role in society. Dracula is more that just a vampire story. There is a deeper level to this. A level in which it can incite change in the way one percieves women. There is a noition that all women were to be the same but Dracula refutes that. Vampire sexuality, as represented in Bram Stoker s Dracula, reveals itself as both a phenomenon thatRead MoreAnalysis Of The Monk 849 Words   |  4 Pagesof Gothic fiction, was a pioneer in more ways than one. Although no evidence indicates that she recognized her status as a New Woman author, her terrifying novels rivaled those of other Gothic, male writers, thus paving the way for more women in literature. But while Radcliffe’s tales terrorized her readers, Matthew Lewis instilled pure horror into those who dared venture into his grotesque novel, The Monk. In 1796, The M onk is edited, abstracting the same sensitivity of Radcliffe’s texts and evokingRead MoreThe History of Vampires1397 Words   |  6 Pagesseems obsessed with vampires. From gothic vampire novels, to endless movies, television and art, the vampire archetype continues to grow in popularity and sophistication. What is behind this seeming obsession with vampires, in our western culture? Why does this archeype endure? What does the vampire have, or do, that makes him/her so attractive and compelling? When did the transformation occur, from foul miscreant to suave tragic hero? Who is the vampire - really? Vampire culture seems in starkRead MoreAnne Brontes Literary Success as a Visionary Writer1908 Words   |  8 PagesSimilarly, Anne Bronte was able to visualize in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall the characteristics of the twenty-first generation. Anne Bronte (1820-1849) was the contemporary of Karl Marx (1818-1883) but her lifespan was just 29 years. If her literature is read today in front of the grave of Karl Marx it would make him shift in the grave. At such a young age, her thinking was revolutionary, even without being exposed to the secular world in a big way. It is so obvious that her work was inspiredRead MoreAnalysis Of From Simple Beast And The Bride Of The Isles 1380 Words   |  6 Pagespraise on June 1897 with his popular literary work Dracula. Although many literary works about the vampire originated far before Stoker’s time, such as Polidori’s The Vampyre (1819), James Planchà ©s The Vampire; or, the Bride of the Isles (1820), Alexandre Dumas’ play Le Vampire (1851), James Malcolm Rymer’s Varney the Vampyre (1847) or Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla (1872), much of the contemporary vampire works are based off the foundation Stoker set. One could even argue that Dracula di d not reach itsRead MoreAnalysis Of Interview With The Vampire And Bram Stokers Dracula2110 Words   |  9 Pagesform is usually present in sexual activity and penetration is an overall theme throughout both films. The penetration that takes place in Interview With The Vampire and Bram Stokers Dracula does not take place from sex, instead, penetration comes from fangs, and yet the tone is extremely sexual in nature. The scene in Interview With The Vampire where Le Stat brings two women back to their home is a great example. In the scene, Le Stat bites one woman on the breast and she squeals and moans in ecstasyRead MoreThe Monsters And Their Origin1412 Words   |  6 PagesMonster Stephen T. Asma has given an analysis of the monsters and their origin. Besides, he gives a definition on the fears of human beings regarding the monsters. The prejudices and fears date back to prehistory and the developments in evolution that have occurred throughout in humanity. The prehistory gives an account of the concerns that people have in today s world. The author uses the term monster to describe myths and physical deformities. Stephen Asma uses the term to describe that there