239885 Count Dracula's Celluloid Spawn - Vampire Narrative and Film (S) (WiSe 2012/2013)

The enthusiasm and thrill readers have enjoyed ever since the first vampire stories were published seems to have reached a peak with the Twilight series which draws heavily on the narrative legacy of the genre. Stephenie Meyer hardly invents new metaphors in her bloodsucker saga and lets Edward hold views that might as well become a Victorian Age narrative character. How far removed is Twilight from Dracula?
Likewise, Nosferatu as the celluloid embodiment of evil and disease could hardly be more different from sparkling Edward Cullen; Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula is a vision of opulence, beautified for mainstream Hollywood.
In this seminar we will examine classic and modern vampire narratives and movie adaptations and look out for recurring or evolving motifs.
We will seek to explore these issues with the help of close reading, fim analysis, group projects and class discussion.

Literaturangaben

Dracula (Bram Stoker)
Carmilla (Sheridan LeFanu)
Twilight (Stephenie Meyer)