From Folklore to Fantasy: Romanticizing Vampires in Literature

Abstract

This diploma thesis explores the literary transformation of the vampire figure, focusing on the contrast between its folkloric roots and its modern, romanticized portrayals. The theoretical part introduces key concepts used to analyze this transformation, including the uncanny, abjection, the Other, posthumanism, queer and feminist theory, and the archetype of the Byronic hero. The analysis focuses on two significant works of vampire literature: Dracula by Bram Stoker and Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice. The first analytical chapter examines Dracula as a work that reinforces the vampire's role as a monstrous, culturally Othered antagonist, while the second chapter investigates how Interview with the Vampire repositions the vampire as an emotionally introspective protagonist capable of guilt, love, and existential suffering. The thesis focuses on themes such as violence, eroticism, and gender roles, ultimately arguing that the romanticization of the vampire reflects broader cultural shifts in the perception of monstrosity, morality, and desire.