Vampire Fictions: Rewriting Myths IWIS

Learning Aims and Objectives To explore how Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the myth of the vampire has been adopted and adapted in film and literature from across the world To develop ways of bringing these texts into the classroom in order to stimulate creative writing

The History of the Vampire term vampire popularized in 18th Century after widespread superstition and hysteria from Eastern Europe. 1819 – John Polidori’s novella The Vampyre established archetype of charismatic and sophisticated vampire

Dracula by Bram Stoker published 1897 defined modern form of the vampire background in Invasion literature enjoyed as an adventure story popularity didn’t come until after movie versions of the 20th Century estimated 217 films feature Dracula in a major role

Vampire ‘facts’ p. 26 – ‘the facts’ p.286 ‘there are such things as vampires…evidence…proof’ p. 289 ‘tradition and superstition – are everything’ What are the strengths and weaknesses of the vampire? How is Dracula portrayed?

Vampire strengths strong as 20 men cunning command of the dead (necromancy) appear at will (within limitations) direct the elements command meaner animals (rat, owl, bat, moth, fox, wolf) grow and become small vanish feeds on living doesn’t die of old age makes no shadow no reflection in mirror

Vampire weaknesses can’t enter without invitation power ceases at sunrise can only pass running water at the flood of the tide garlic crucifix branch of wild rose sacred bullet fired into coffin stake through hear cut-off head

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson published 1954 voted best vampire novel of the last 100 years

Activity 1: Group 1: Read Chapter Two How is the vampire presented? What differences are revealed? Group 2: Read Chapter Three How does Richard Matheson engage with previous representations of the vampire? Group 3: Read Chapter Four How is the vampire presented? What similarities are revealed?

The Lady of the House of Love by Angela Carter published 1979 Short story within The Bloody Chamber collection based on a radio play called ‘Vampirella’

Activity 2: Read pages 196 – 197 How is the vampire presented? How does this alter or enhance our perception of the vampire, particularly in relation to Dracula

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris published 2001 first in The Southern Vampire Mysteries series inspired television series True Blood How does the extract re-write history?

Dead Until Dark / True Blood modernising the myths asking the question: ‘What if?’ providing parallels/metaphors for today’s ‘monsters’ What issues/themes in contemporary society could you re-write using the vampire as a starting point?

Buffy: The Vampire Slayer Based on 1992 film of the same name ran from 1997 – 2003 Created by Joss Whedon aimed to revert the Hollywood formula of ‘the little blonde girl who goes into a dark alley and gets killed in every horror movie’ ‘the supernatural elements in the series stood as metaphors for personal anxieties associated with adolescence and young adulthood’

Buffy: The Vampire Slayer post-modern Gothic pastiche an examination of the facts and fiction playful take on the traditions asks the question: ‘What is a monster?’ inner / outer demons

Activity 3: What themes / issues have been explored in our discussions of vampire fiction and film? Create a mind map that shows the interconnections between these themes / issues Use these to write a condensed lesson plan that explores how you would take vampire fictions into the classroom in order to explore one of these themes / issues