Vampires, Vamps and Va Va Voom: A Critical Engagement with Paranormal Romance
Despite the rise of academic interest in vampires in popular culture, vampire romance has been largely ignored. From Dracula (1897) to Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003), romance themes have been entwined with the narratives and images of vampires.
Due to the commercial success of the emerging sub-genre ‘Paranormal Romance’, there has been an increase of vampire romance and related themes in other genres (such as contemporary fiction, young adult fiction and horror). Contemporary feminist scholars have not reflected upon this recent phenomenon despite the pioneering studies of Tania Modleski (1982), Janice Radway (1987) and Linda Christian-Smith (1990).
The two-day symposium Vampires, Vamps and Va Va Voom was opportunity to discuss and critically examine the impact of the Undead upon the romance genre and the thriving industry created in its wake.
Topics of interest included:- Vampires in Gothic and Romantic literature
- Vampire Romance and the reader
- Vampire ‘chick lit’
- Vampires in film and television
- Representations of the Slayer
- Vampires, sex and gender
- Vampires and violence
- Vampires, fashion and aesthetics
- Vampires and consumption (food, fashion and capitalism)
Date
19 & 20 September 2008
Location
Japanese Studies Centre, Monash University
Podcasts
Titles of papers link directly to mp3 files. If you require a transcription please contact the School of English, Communications and Performance Studies.
10.9 mbContact
School of English, Communications and Performance Studies
Sponsors
This event was funded by the School of English, Communications and Performance Studies, Monash University