Vampires
The vampire is an example of the ultimate horror fixation, but it is also the symbol of the need and desire of people to rid themselves of their 'impure' sexuality and of all the guilt that is attached. Vampire literature, in particular, often represents the fears of a society. The Victorian Era was a time of intense sexual repression, so it was common for vampire stories to reflect the fear of female sexuality or, even more threatening, homosexuality that possibly could become rampant in society.Carmilla was seen as the ultimate breaker of the taboo. Emerging from a strict Victorian society, she had the free will of a vampire and was the embodiment of eroticism. The story of Carmilla is the pinnacle of Gothic Vampirism, illustrating a creature in the human form who preys solely on other women. Everything male vampires seem to promise, but not fulfil, Carmilla actually performed. As a possessive creature, she aroused and pervaded which is evident from one of her statements to Laura - "You are mine, you shall be mine, and you and I are one forever." The taboo of homoeroticism is broken when Carmilla demonstrated her intimate affections for Laura and thus for the first time exposed homosexuality
As a widely publicised vampire appropriation, Buffy can be quite explicit. No longer is the story left up to the audience's imagination. Nothing about sex is taboo anymore, thus the only purpose for the series Buffy is entertainment and as a money-making scheme. Everything in this series is made to reflect what the people of this time expect and want. No more are vampire stories made to moralise society, such as in Carmilla and Dracula, but they are used to give society what they want to see, and not what society tries to hide, like in the Gothic Era. The use of religion in the vampiric genre today, is nearly eradicated. We see the occasional cross to repel a vampire, but other than that - nothing. In fact, the show has gone so far from religion, that they never even mention God, and resort to Black Magic for power instead. It has been stated, "Some say that at the end of the 20th Century, Vampirism is wearing down and vampires need a long restorative sleep. They will awaken, they always have; as Stoker's Dracula boasted 'Time is on their side...' ."
Some common words found in the essay are:
Harker Dracula's, Era Dracula, Victorian Era, Little Boy, Vampire Slayer, Buffy Angel, Gothic Vampirism, Black Magic, Mena Mena, English Vampires, vampire literature, female vampire, stoker's dracula, human form, vampire stories, victorian society, society carmilla, victorian era, 21st century, maternal image,
Approximate Word count = 1558
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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