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
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the literary tradition and symbolism of the female vampire, tracing its evolution from ancient mythology to its modern adaptation in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga. The analysis will examine how the figure of the female vampire reflects societal anxieties about female power and sexuality within patriarchal structures.
- The historical evolution of the female vampire archetype in literature.
- The symbolism of the female vampire as a representation of female power and transgression.
- Contrasting depictions of the female vampire across different literary works.
- The portrayal of female vampires in Twilight and their relation to traditional representations.
- The intersection of gender roles, sexuality, and power dynamics in the context of the female vampire.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central theme of the paper: the evolution and symbolism of the female vampire in literature, focusing on its representation in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga. It highlights the vampire's enduring appeal as a symbol of transgression, particularly in the context of female power and sexuality within patriarchal societies. The chapter introduces the core argument that the female vampire, while embodying traditional fears of female agency, is also reinterpreted in Twilight as a figure capable of self-restraint and reasoned behavior, representing a counterpoint to traditional human family structures. The author lays out the paper's structure, promising an overview of the historical development of the female vampire archetype, an examination of key literary examples, and a focused analysis of the Twilight series.
2. The Female Vampire in Literature from Ancient Greek Mythology to the 20th Century: This chapter traces the origins of the vampire myth, exploring its roots in ancient Greek mythology with the figure of Lamia and the Jewish legend of Lilith. It examines how the association of female figures with blood-drinking and the subversion of maternal instincts contributed to the vampire archetype. The chapter also connects the myth to the historical context of witch hunts and the societal anxieties surrounding female sexuality in the Middle Ages, demonstrating how the demonization of women's desires influenced the development of the vampire myth. It shows how the concept of blood as the essence of life and its consumption (or forbidden consumption) plays a crucial role in the development of the vampire narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
The paper explores the literary tradition and symbolism of the female vampire, tracing its evolution from ancient mythology to its modern adaptation in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga. It examines how the figure of the female vampire reflects societal anxieties about female power and sexuality within patriarchal structures.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the historical evolution of the female vampire archetype, the symbolism of the female vampire as a representation of female power and transgression, contrasting depictions of the female vampire across different literary works, the portrayal of female vampires in Twilight and their relation to traditional representations, and the intersection of gender roles, sexuality, and power dynamics in the context of the female vampire.
Which literary works are analyzed in the paper?
The paper analyzes several key literary representations of the female vampire, including Johann Wolfgang Goethe's “Die Braut von Corinth” (1789), John Keats' “Lamia” (1819), Samuel Taylor Coleridge's “Christabel” (1816), Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897), and the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer.
How does the paper approach the analysis of the female vampire in Twilight?
The analysis of Twilight focuses on the depictions of the female vampire, approaches to sensuality and desire, and the exploration of gender roles and sexual stereotyping within the context of the saga. It compares and contrasts these portrayals with traditional representations of the female vampire.
What is the historical context explored in the paper?
The paper traces the origins of the vampire myth to ancient Greek mythology (Lamia) and the Jewish legend of Lilith. It connects the myth to the historical context of witch hunts and societal anxieties surrounding female sexuality in the Middle Ages, showing how the demonization of women's desires influenced the development of the vampire myth.
What is the central argument of the paper regarding the female vampire in Twilight?
The paper argues that the female vampire in Twilight, while embodying traditional fears of female agency, is also reinterpreted as a figure capable of self-restraint and reasoned behavior, representing a counterpoint to traditional human family structures.
What is included in the "Chapter Summaries" section?
The chapter summaries provide a brief overview of the content of each chapter, outlining the main points and arguments presented. They offer a roadmap to the paper's structure and content.
What is the purpose of the "Objectives and Key Themes" section?
This section clearly states the paper's aims and outlines the specific thematic areas that will be explored in detail throughout the analysis.
- 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.grin.com/document/182597
