Shadow of the Vampire: Understanding the Transformations of an Icon in Popular Culture
Date
2007-12
Authors
Bohn, Michelle L.
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Abstract
Once the vampire was seen as the villainous antagonist in literature and film, but over the last two centuries the character has evolved into the vigilante anti-hero. This paper analyzes the transformation of the vampire character asking, "How can it be that something that should provoke fear and repulsion is now an icon of popular culture?" Use of Joseph Campbell’s theories of mythology and culture alongside the psychological theories of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung presents one explanation for the vampire’s shift from monster to dark hero.
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Keywords
vampire, Stoker, Bram, Rice, Anne, Dracula, Interview with the Vampire, gothic, monster, horror, Honors College
Citation
Bohn, M. L. (2007). Shadow of the Vampire: Understanding the transformations of an icon in popular culture (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas.