The vampire is one of the oldest and most powerful archetypes in modern media. Over the course of the last two centuries, the vampire has become an instrument of fiction and its myth has been retold, extended and reinvented through literature, film and television. Over time, stories concerned with vampires have gradually increased in popularity, reaching a climax in contemporary popular culture with the infiltration of the genre of romantic teenage drama. There have been endless representations of vampires in fiction and this precludes a single definition. However, vampires are associated with several long-standing traditional and stereotypical characteristics. Contemporary writers and film-makers have in particular attributed new and sometimes unique characteristics and rules which apply specifically to their own vampires. Vampires have gone through a process of change and their varying images have evolved throughout history and culture. This thesis undertakes an analysis of the image of vampires in contemporary fiction with particular reference to the first three seasons of the TV series The Vampire Diaries. Through an investigation of how the image of vampires has evolved and changed in the course of the 20th century, I will show that the contemporary vampire is not merely the embodiment of demonic evil, but rather a supernatural and complex creature that is closely related to the human species and combines both good and evil characteristics. In the second chapter I will address the development of fictional vampires, focussing mainly on the image of vampires in contemporary popular culture and their differing types and personalities. I will then present background information concerning the plot and main characters of The Vampire Diaries in the third chapter to facilitate the understanding of my subsequent analysis. The fourth chapter constitutes the greater part of my thesis and considers the representation of vampires in the TV series The Vampire Diaries. Various good and evil aspects of vampires will be investigated to build an integral whole of their image in the TV series. I will initially deal with the origins of vampires, followed by their physical and psychological traits, their weaknesses as well as their powers, their interaction with human beings, their integration into society and their relationship with humans and other vampires.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Image of Vampires in Contemporary Fiction
2.1 From Evil Monsters to Sympathetic Creatures
2.2 Sympathetic Vampires
2.3 Humanised Vampires
2.4 Romantic Heroes
2.5 The Changing Role of Women
3. Plot and Important Characters of The Vampire Diaries
4. The Image of Vampires in The Vampire Diaries
4.1 Origins
4.2 Physical and Psychological Traits
4.3 Weaknesses and Death
4.4 Powers and Abilities
4.5 Socialisation
4.6 Relationships
4.6.1 Vampires and Humans
4.6.2 Vampires Among Themselves
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis examines the evolution of the vampire archetype in contemporary fiction, specifically analyzing the first three seasons of the television series The Vampire Diaries to demonstrate how modern vampires have transitioned from demonic, purely evil entities to complex, anthropomorphic characters that mirror human struggles.
- The historical transformation of the vampire from a gothic horror monster to a sympathetic, human-like figure.
- The unique integration of romantic, supernatural, and horror elements within the narrative structure of The Vampire Diaries.
- The psychological and physical duality of vampires, highlighting the conflict between their predatory nature and their human-like emotions.
- The evolving role of women in the vampire genre, transitioning from passive victims to active protagonists and hunters.
- The dynamics of social interaction, relationships, and moral choices within the vampire community and their coexistence with humans.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1 Origins
Approximately one thousand years ago, an ordinary family called Mikaelson, originally from Eastern Europe, moved to a town in the United States that is now called Mystic Falls. As stated above, this family became the first and therefore the oldest vampire family in the world, responsible for the genesis of the entire vampire race. While living together with people who become werewolves during a full moon Henry, one of the siblings, was attacked and killed by a werewolf. Ever since, werewolves and vampires have been natural enemies.
Esther, mother of five living siblings and a powerful witch, attempted to find some form of protection from the werewolves for her family. Eventually, with the help of one of Bonnie’s ancestors, she found a spell to make her husband and children immortal as well as stronger against the werewolves but without knowing the consequences of her action upon nature. Esther excluded herself from this spell because a witch is always nature’s servant and can never be a vampire or any other powerful creature at the same time.
In order to become a vampire a human is required to drink vampire blood. In this very first ritual, the siblings had to drink human blood as there were not any other vampires in existence before them. The human blood they consumed was the blood of Katherine and Elena’s ancestor, who went by the name of Tatia. After drinking the blood, it is necessary to be killed within twenty-four hours because the consumed blood does not remain in the system for any longer than that. The undead body awakens in a state of transition. To ensure survival, it is essential to feed on human blood within the following twenty-four hours (Will 171). The consumption of blood makes the undead body reborn. When they are in transition, it is virtually impossible for humans to combat their bloodlust and hunger.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the vampire as a powerful, evolving archetype in popular culture and establishes the scope of the thesis regarding the television series The Vampire Diaries.
2. The Image of Vampires in Contemporary Fiction: Explores the historical evolution of vampire representations in literature and film, focusing on the shift from evil monsters to humanised, romanticised figures.
3. Plot and Important Characters of The Vampire Diaries: Provides an overview of the series' plot, settings, and the key relationships among the central characters to support the subsequent analysis.
4. The Image of Vampires in The Vampire Diaries: Investigates the specific characteristics of vampires in the show, covering their origins, physical traits, vulnerabilities, social dynamics, and relationships.
5. Conclusion: Summarises the findings by reiterating how the show uses the vampire as a mirror for human nature and as a bridge between the horror and romance genres.
6. Bibliography: Lists the academic and literary sources referenced throughout the analysis.
Key Keywords
Vampires, The Vampire Diaries, Contemporary Fiction, Supernatural, Mythology, Gothic, Romance, Humanisation, Duality, Predator, Socialisation, Identity, Elena Gilbert, Stefan Salvatore, Damon Salvatore
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The work focuses on analyzing the representation of vampires in the television series The Vampire Diaries and how it reflects the broader evolution of the vampire archetype in 21st-century popular culture.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
Key areas include the historical shift from monstrous depictions to sympathetic ones, the psychological complexity of vampires, their physical constraints, and the dynamics of their relationships with humans and other supernatural creatures.
What is the core research objective?
The main objective is to show that the contemporary vampire in the analyzed series is not just a demonic antagonist, but a complex, multi-dimensional character that combines both good and evil qualities similar to humans.
Which methodology does the author apply?
The author conducts a qualitative literary and media analysis, examining the first three seasons of the series against the backdrop of historical and contemporary vampire narratives in literature and film.
What topics are discussed in the main analysis?
The main body examines the origins of the vampire race within the show, their physical and psychological traits, weaknesses (like sunlight and vervain), unique abilities, and their integration into society through social and personal relationships.
Which concepts are essential for understanding the work?
Key concepts include the "humanisation" of vampires, the conflict between predatory instinct and conscience, the role of "original" vampires, and the evolution of the vampire genre from horror to teen drama/romance.
How are the Salvatore brothers used to demonstrate the duality of vampires?
The brothers represent two sides of the same coin: Stefan struggles with moral restraint and his identity as a "good" vampire, while Damon acts as his metaphorical double, exploring the more dangerous and destructive aspects of their nature.
What significance do the "original" vampires play in the show's lore?
The original vampires, specifically the Mikaelson family, are depicted as the foundation of the species, created through a witch's spell as a protective measure, which ultimately backfired, creating a new, dominant species that is inextricably linked to their creator's bloodline.
How does the series portray the relationship between humans and vampires?
The series depicts this relationship as complex and ambiguous, often based on trust, equality, and mutual need, where vampires are not merely predators but also protectors and friends to humans.
- Citar trabajo
- Jennifer Vogt (Autor), 2012, The Image of Vampires in the TV Series "The Vampire Diaries", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/209525
