Stephanie Myers’ Twilight series is nothing less than a cultural phenomenon. No question there. Vampires a la Myers have become a symbol for adolescence and the first frightful pangs of love; the beauty of vampires is that they can stand for anything you want them to. Pick and choose the parts of the lore that suit you: superhuman strength, avoidance of sunlight, feeding off of human blood – not to mention the whole immortality thing. They can stand for anything we fear and desire. The first recorded usage of the word “vampire,” in fact, is in a metaphorical context. From their very origins, these mythical creatures have stood in for things we can only explain by analogy.

Those of you who’ve been drawn in by the Cullen family’s spell might want to consider expanding your horizons. Watch some of these movies and shows to find out what vampires have meant to other people – and how vampires have changed and stayed the same in each incarnation. It can’t hurt! Unless, of course, you get bitten…

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