The presentation of the vampire powerpoint Allisha.pptx

vampire

1. The presentation of the vampire From 1748 to now

2. Overview Throughout gothic literature there are two contradictory presentations of the vampire: On the one hand a repellent blood-sucking creature crawling from the grave, on the other, a strangely alluring representation of glamour, riches and sexuality. The presentation of the vampire is seen to change throughout time, going from sexual and attractive to repulsive and manipulative. The first appearance of a vampire in fictional literature is said to be a German poem “ Der Vampir ” (The Vampire).

3. 1748 The Vampire   By Heinrich August Ossenfelder This German poem is generally recognised to have the first appearance of a vampire in fictional literature. The poem is about a man who is rejected by a ‘young maiden’. He threatens to visit her in the middle of the night and drink her blood by giving her the kiss of a vampire, therefore proving to the girl that his teachings are better than her mother's Christianity. Here the vampire is presented as ‘unmoral’ and talks of blood being drained along with the act of being attack at night (an element that is portrayed in most vampire literature). This illustrates how even in the beginning the vampire is considered to be connected with sexual elements. Here “kissing” is used to describe the girl being bitten and blood drained while she sleeps. My dear young maiden clingeth Unbending, fast and firm To all the long-held teaching 3 Of a mother ever true; As in vampires unmortal Folk on the Theyse's portal Heyduck -like do believe. But my Christine thou dost dally, And wilt my loving parry Till I myself avenging To a vampire's health a-drinking Him toast in pale tockay . And as softly thou art sleeping To thee shall I come creeping And thy life's blood drain away. And so shalt thou be trembling For thus shall I be kissing And death's threshold thou' it be crossing With fear, in my cold arms. And last shall I thee question Compared to such instruction What are a mother's charms?

4. 1819- The Vampyre By lord Byron Appearance: Male, tall, pale, attractive aristocrat that females are unable to resist “dead grey eye”, “all wished to see him”. Presentation (actions): Dies, his body disappears and he comes back to life. A girl is witness to all this and goes mad. Described as a “monster”. Here the vampire is an attractive man in which girls are seen to swarm to. This view of the vampire is said to be the influence of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’. In ‘The Vampyre ’ the vampire is seen to be behind the fall of a young women, Aubrey, who descends into madness. This idea of a vampire tormenting a young woman is reflected throughout gothic novels when vampires are involved. For example, in the 1847 tale of ‘Varney the vampire ’ a young girl, in a nightgown, questions her sanity, Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ with the downfall of Lucy and earlier in ‘The Vampire’. This theme of a girl being threatened something which is repulsive and erotic is a seen throughout early vampire novels.

5. 1847- Varney the Vampire Published anonymously however it’s suspected to be written by James Malcolm and Thomas Peckett Prest . It was a series of weekly pamphlets and one of the “penny dreadfuls ” of the Victorian era. These where printed on a low budget, often with spelling errors, in order to provide for the working class who couldn't afford proper books. Appearance: Large white fangs (these weren't previously present in ‘The Vampyre ’), face is described as “perfectly white - perfectly bloodless. The eyes look like polished tin; the lips are drawn back”, “the fearful looking teeth - projecting like those of some wild animal, hideously, glaringly white, and fang-like”, “long nails that literally appear to hang from the finger ends (long nails are also seen in ‘Dracula’)” “hideous appearance” Presentation: Hunts a girl in a nightgown, rapey , dresses up as a priest at one point- religion doesn't effect him, said to be tormented by his own existence Here the vampire is presented in a different way from before; he’s unattractive.

6. 1872-Carmilla By Sheridan LeFanu written in a collection of Gothic ghost stories published in ‘In a Glass Darkly’ The story is narrated by a young woman preyed upon by a female vampire named Carmilla . Appearance: Female vampire, “strange and beautiful companion” “blushing softly” “burning eyes” “like the ardour of a lover” “her small hands over her eyes” “whisper, almost in sobs” Presentation (actions): Lesbianism, both vampire and victim (similar idea in ‘Dracula’ which Lucy), never joins the household in its prayers, she sleeps during the day, and sleepwalks outside at night. Here the vampire is presented in a very different way from before, she is female and seen as delicate by the use of the adjectives describing her (‘small', 'beautiful ’). The contrast between this gentle women and the lesbian acts as well as her being a vampire would’ve been very controversial. Vampires have close links with sexuality- the vampire is also used to create an image of deviant sexuality - whether this is homosexuality, unfamiliar gender roles, or other kinds of perversion. Here the vampire is used to present homosexuality, which at a time of strict sexual and religious views, was very controversial. The New Woman and traditional Victorian roles of women would be used to show the contrast with sexuality, new ideas and traditional views .

7. 1897- Dracula The presentation of the vampire can be used to present fears of the Victorian society as new ideas clash with the traditional. Vampires are used to challenge the disagreement between folklore and superstition with science rationality which, in a Victorian era, scared society. This is shown in Dracula where the use of old superstition and modern are used to ‘treat’ Lucy. (blood transfusions and stake through heart). Dracula explores the vulnerability of ‘girls’ at this time; ‘Your girls that you all love are mine already’. Here it’s illustrated how Lucy , whose can be portrayed as less traditional and more of a New Woman, is easier to be taken control of than Mina (a more Victorian traditional woman), showing a political stance at this time in which, for most men, the New Women wasn’t a positive element of Victorian society. Bram making Lucy the victim to Dracula rather than Mina could be used to portray how the idea of a New Women was frowned upon as they're ‘less safe’ than the traditional Victorian women , this is further shown when Lucy becomes a vampire and how sexual she is. By Bram Stoker Appearance: Can’t be seen in mirrors (new element) hairy palms of hands, shape shifter, needs earth to survive day, fangs, dresses all in black, needs soil to survive, "cruel looking" , superhuman strength. Actions: very manipulative, wants to take over world, smart, can turn others into vampires, manipulates weather.

8. Now MUCH more sexualised- twilight, vampire diaries. Authors tend to pick and chose vampire traits. Appearance: vampires are usually portrayed as attractive and not as repulsive (more human than in the past). “glistens in the sunlight” (twilight) “evil slut vampire” (vampire dairies (clearly vampires are sexualised)), pale. Actions: overall now aren’t seen as horrifically ‘evil’ (not necessarily manipulative instead dangerous but are usually on the heroes side(vampire diaries, twilight etc). However still elements of old vampire characteristics (ugly, against the hero) in shows such as Buffy.