The vampire is one of the favourite artificial characters in popular literature. As a mythical creature that transcends the borders of life and death it has been used to depict the dissolution of boundaries in different forms of societies and belief systems since the ancient Greece, but varied in form according to social and individual developments. This paper will first give a short overview of the origin and development of female vampires and lamiae in literature. Then a closer look will be cast on a few selected representations of the female vampire to show the various ways of their depictions, the similarities in their features as well as differences in their symbolic appliance. Finally, the female vampires in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight will be focussed upon to further elaborate the characteristics of the “modern female vampire” in her family setting as opposed to her predecessors.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Female Vampire in Literature from Ancient Greek Mythology to the 20th Century
3. Selected Literary Representations of the Female Vampire and their Symbolism
3.1 Johann Wolfgang Goethe’s “Die Braut von Corinth” (1789)
3.2 John Keats’ “Lamia” (1819)
3.3 Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Christabel” (1816)
3.4 Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897)
4. Vampirism and the Female Vampire in Twilight
4.1 Depictions of the Female Vampire
4.2 Approaches to Sensuality and Desire
4.3 Gender Roles and Sexual Stereotyping
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines the evolution of the female vampire archetype in literature, tracing its origins from ancient mythology through Victorian depictions to Stephenie Meyer’s modern Twilight saga. The primary research goal is to analyze how the symbolic functions of the female vampire—traditionally associated with subversive female sexuality and the dissolution of boundaries—have been adapted or reinterpreted in the Twilight series, particularly regarding the intersection of rationality, gender roles, and family structures.
- The literary history of the female vampire from Greek myths to the 20th century.
- Symbolism of the female vampire in works by Goethe, Keats, Coleridge, and Stoker.
- The role of "the other" and gender stereotypes in vampire narratives.
- Contrasting traditional "demonic" vampire tropes with the "modern" vampire family model in Twilight.
- The importance of rational choice, self-restraint, and motherhood in contemporary portrayals.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s “Die Braut von Corinth” (1798)
Researchers claim that Goethe’s poem was the first to introduce the vampiress as a serious theme in literature after its previous existence as an Eastern European folktale. Goethe’s fascination with blood as the container of one’s soul and life energy is even visible in his famous work Faust: “Blut ist ein ganz besondrer Saft”. His poem, however, does not focus so much on the sensational aspects of blood drinking, but rather highlights the historical change from ancient polytheism to Christianity: a young boy, whose family still believes in the heathen gods, visits the house of his father’s friend, who has already turned to Christianity. When they were still children, he and the friend’s daughter had been promised to each other. Now the girl enters his room at night and they have a passionate night of love.
Only successively the girl’s vampiric state is hinted at. The suspicions that are raised by the girl’s appearance and behaviour are then confirmed in a confrontation with her mother, who discovers the lovers as she enters the room.
The mother represents the ascetic tendencies of the Christian belief system. It is insinuated that her radical convictions cost her daughter her life. Death, however, holds no peace for her, Christianity cannot soothe her longing for her true love, and so she has to rise from the dead.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the female vampire as a subversive mythical figure and outlines the research objective to contrast traditional representations with the modern vampire family in Stephenie Meyer's work.
2. The Female Vampire in Literature from Ancient Greek Mythology to the 20th Century: Reviews the origins of the vampire myth, including mythological figures like Lamia and Lilith, and discusses the historical demonization of female sexuality through witch-hunts and literary tradition.
3. Selected Literary Representations of the Female Vampire and their Symbolism: Analyzes specific works by Goethe, Keats, Coleridge, and Stoker to demonstrate the shift in the vampiress' character from passive figure to aggressive seductress.
4. Vampirism and the Female Vampire in Twilight: Examines how the Twilight saga adopts traditional vampire features while introducing a focus on rational thinking, self-restraint, and the adaptation of gender roles within a family structure.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, suggesting that Twilight reestablishes traditional boundaries through rational self-control, effectively merging sensuality with traditional societal norms.
6. Bibliography: Lists all primary and secondary sources utilized for this study.
Keywords
Female Vampire, Stephenie Meyer, Twilight, Literary Tradition, Symbolism, Gender Roles, Sexuality, Rationality, Self-restraint, Mythology, Monstrous Love, Victorian Era, Family Structure, Demonization, Modern Vampire
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the literary history and symbolic development of the female vampire, specifically analyzing how Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga adapts these traditional tropes in a contemporary context.
What are the core themes explored in the work?
Key themes include the representation of female power, the historical demonization of female sexuality, the subversion of gender roles, and the transition from animalistic behavior to rational decision-making in vampire literature.
What is the primary objective of the author?
The aim is to show how the female vampire, traditionally a figure representing chaos and broken societal boundaries, is transformed in Twilight into a figure that helps reestablish traditional family values and social order.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes comparative literary analysis, tracing the evolution of archetypes across centuries and applying cultural and historical perspectives to interpret character depictions.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The body analyzes the origins of the vampire myth, provides deep-dive interpretations of classic literary works (such as "Christabel" and "Dracula"), and compares these to the specific character traits, motivations, and moral dilemmas of the vampires in the Twilight saga.
Which keywords best characterize the analysis?
Key terms include Female Vampire, Gender Roles, Rationality, Symbolism, and Traditional Values.
How does Meyer's depiction of the female vampire differ from Victorian interpretations?
Unlike Victorian vampires, who were often depicted as purely predatory and antithetical to moral society, Meyer's female vampires often exhibit self-restraint, use reason over instinct, and strive for fulfillment within family structures.
What role does the concept of "rationality" play in the Twilight saga?
Rationality acts as a stabilizing force; it allows the vampire characters to overcome their innate bloodthirst, govern their sexual impulses, and maintain the integrity of their domestic life, standing in stark contrast to their literary ancestors.
- Quote paper
- Kathrin Vogel (Author), 2011, Literary Tradition and Symbolism of the Female Vampire and its Adaptation in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/182597
