Maia Gibbs

Forever Young: the Immortal Threat Maia Gibbs

Research Paper from the year 2010 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Comparative Literature, grade: A (83%), Queen Mary University of London, course: Drama, language: English, abstract: The vampire has been an ever present figure in our folklore since the 1100's, serving to reflect and almost embody the anxieties of contemporary society. Throughout history, tales of this fictitious character have become most prominent during times of social upheaval that pose a threat to mainstream society. The use of the character of the vampire in this way serves as a means to displace our societal fears, and symbolises the Other in society, mirroring our "ugliest fears and prejudices of the time." In this essay I will be exploring how the threat of the vampire as a fictional Other can help us to better understand the threat of the Other in reality, which in this case will be the counterculture.