About this Event
Why has the vampire, more than almost any other monster, become such a powerful queer icon?
From the earliest folklore to the gothic literature that shaped the genre, vampires have long embodied themes of forbidden desire, transformation and otherness – themes that resonate deeply with queer experience. In this talk, we’ll explore the history and legacy of the queer vampire: from the reactionary to the revolutionary.
Touching on texts from John Polidori's The Vampyre (1819) and its depiction of Lord Byron as a sinful monster, to Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla (1872) and its sapphic legacy all the way to Tony Scott's The Hunger (1983) and Marceline the Vampire Queen from Cartoon Network's Adventure Time, this talk will trace the queerness of vampires and what it tells us about fear, desire and sexuality.
Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7:30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!
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Speaker Bio:
Dr Kaja Franck is a Senior Lecturer in English Literature and Programme Lead for the MA: Literature & Culture at the University of Hertfordshire. Her research centres on monsters and monstrous animals, and she has shared her work at conferences across the world. Recent publications include chapters on troll horror, Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series (2005-8), Sous La Seine (2024) and John Polidori’s The Vampyre (1819), alongside organising international conferences on werewolves, vampires and haunted seascapes in literature and popular culture. Her monograph, The Ecogothic Werewolf in Literature: Wolves, Woods and Wilderness, was published last year. She has a soft spot for terrible shark horror.
Testimonials from our guests
⭐ Truly riveting talks, always enjoy these - a great way to spend an evening with some pals. Already looking forward to the next one. - Alexander P
⭐ Expertly run, talks are always super informative and a lot of fun! Couldn’t recommend these enough! 5 star. - Owen S
⭐ Been to a few talks and all have been super interesting. An enjoyable evening to go to either alone or with friends. The talks make for stimulating conversation. Highly recommend! - Daisy J
Agenda
🕑: 07:00 PM
Doors open
🕑: 07:30 PM
Talk starts
Event venue & nearby stays
The Blues Kitchen Brixton, 40 Acre Lane, London, United Kingdom
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