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'Twilight' by Stephenie Meyer - Hatchette Books
Ever since the resurgence of vampires in modern popular culture's literary interests (via the Twilight, Sookie Stackhouse, and Vampire Diaries series), many vampire lore veterans have been pining for the days of yore when vampires had fangs, dark dungeonous castles, and coffins rather than sparkly skin, affections for the living, and the like.
Well, one university is taking an academic trip down memory lane with a conference dedicated to "relat[ing] the undead in literature, art, and other media to questions concerning gender, technology, consumption, and social change." Sub-topics for the event include "teen vampire/zombie fiction," "identity politics," and "celluloid vampires: adaptations and incarnations." Particular presentation titles for the conference are especially interesting. A couple of such, according to one source, are:
- You are the most dangerous creature I’ve ever met.’: Female Sexuality as Monstrous in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Series
- "The Twilight Saga and the Pleasures of Spectatorship: the Broken Body and the Shining Body.”
This morning's NPR "Morning Edition" spotlight on the matter seems to indicate that the purpose of the talks are to rejuvenate the Draculas and Nosferatus of yesteryear.
Of course, this naturally beckons what is becoming a common discussion for Twilight and True Blood or Vampire Diaries fans: is there any need to justify the shifts in vampire stature offered in modern day or youth literature concerning vampires?
If you liken to the mindset of The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse star Cameron Bright, who made the acute point that "vampires don’t exist" when addressing a similar set of criticisms, then you'll probably say "no."
As far as most Twilight fans seem to be concerned, Dracula and Edward Cullen are light years apart and there's no need to draw parallels or contrasting features between the two. In other words, isn't there room for all versions of fictional beings?
Note also that the school will be offering a Master's Degree in Vampire Literature. Now, if we're being nit-picky here, couldn't the institution of literary academia as a whole hone in on the meritorious comparisons existent between that degree and one centered on, say, Shakespeare? Food for thought.
At any rate, the conference is being held at the University of Hertfordshire (UK) on April 16th and 17th.
See also:
'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' star Cameron Bright makes a good point about vampires
First full-length college course on 'Twilight' approved, and other fans will be able to participate
Cambridge University to study the 'Twilight' series
'Twilight' series boosting sci-fi/fantasy sales in the U.K.
Twilight Examiner
Comments
Sounds like a fun degree... can anyone say "Deconstructing Dracula?"
@Lila ... Indeed. Just did it :)
PS: I may or may not have chosen to skip the law degree if my state's university had a Masters in Vampire Literature. Just sayin'!
I find it hilarious when people moan about the "good ol' days" when vampires were dark, dangerous, and living in coffins. What's most interesting to me is that the "romantic" aspect of the vampire was fine when the detestable creature yearned for his beautiful female "dish," but now that the vampire is the beauty with the woman doing the hunting--so to speak--an uproar is heard. Why are we so shocked that women desire the "dangerous?" Hasn't that been a running theme throughout literature and films back to the great bard himself? So what if the "baddy" is a hottie? And what's wrong with vampires becoming more human? They were, after all, humans before they were monsters...
There have been numerous conferences and graduate programs that have studied vampires for many years.
For instance- Bowling Green State University has an American Culture Studies Master's and PhD Program that allows you to look at vampires in pop culture.
Also Ohio University has a professor- Belinda Blessing that teaches classes on vampires.
I completed my Master's in sociology and the concentration was vampires in culture.
The degrees are usually broad like Sociology but as most know if you go for a graduate degree you "concentrate" on a specialty while studying and vampires have been a concentration for many years.
Also academic conferences have been in the hundreds. The Pop Culture Association, Sirens Conference..are just a few that I presented/attended.
But I will say I have never seen one that has had Twilight in a positive light.
I must say I can see both sides but they tend to take the feminist view of Bella being a weak female role model until after she has super power
But I did have one attendee of my presentation about the social implications of vampire literature make a good point... haven't most of us girls been crazy over a guy??? Just bec Edward is a vampire doesn't mean that Bella can't be a typical girl in love with a guy. Maybe all choices aren't perfect but neither are relationships in real life.
In regards to the Twilight versus other vampires. I like the books..not too fond of the movies but they are ok.
And kris has a great point about the tables being turned.
Oh and i forgot, Ohio State also has a Master's program in English Literature that allows it to be a concentration in vampire literature.
and yes jobs are easily found because it's a broad degree. :)
and yes they are fun:) and if you are good at debating then you will love them because trust me there are so many different sides.
sorry Amanda to take up so much room..it's just I was looking at the same info and I found your article . hope you don't mind me sharing
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