Bram Stoker wrote the book "Dracula." Was this the first time anyone had heard of vampires or was Stoker writing about a legend that had existed for many years before?
2007-07-25 19:08:53 · 11 answers · asked by Ask Mike 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
No.
... Emily Gerard's 1885 essay "Transylvania Superstitions", and an evening spent talking about Balkan superstitions with Arminius Vambery. Though arguably the most famous vampire novel, Dracula was not the first. It was preceded and partly inspired by Sheridan Le Fanu's 1871 "Carmilla", about a lesbian vampire who preys on a lonely young woman. The image of a vampire portrayed as an aristocratic man, like the character of Dracula, was created by John Polidori in "The Vampyre" (1819),
2007-07-26 11:20:20 · answer #1 · answered by Uncle MythMan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm answering purely from personal knowledge and cannot name sources/references. Bram Stoker wrote about Count Dracula, whose character was the basis for the countless movies and vampire depictions in the later years. But the legend of vampires has long existed before his book. I just don't know what particular books or legends that influenced him. Try wikipedia and search for Bram Stoker, Dracula or vampires.
2007-07-25 19:15:52 · answer #2 · answered by zachmir 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The legend of the vampire predates Stoker's birth, let alone his novel. And many different cultures from around the world have had vampire myths before Stoker even wrote "Dracula"
2007-07-25 19:16:00 · answer #3 · answered by knight1192a 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Vampires have long been a part of European folklore. Bram Stoker drew on these legends when he wrote the story of "Dracula", the name of which comes from "dracul" meaning "devil" in Romanian. Aspects of his story were not original as stories had been published in the past featuring vampires e.g Carmilla (by Le Fanu) and Vampyre (by Polidori). So, to answer the question - no he didn't invent vampires.:)
2007-07-25 20:35:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Bram Stoker wrote his book inspired by some legends. vampire stories existed long before this book appeared. moreover almost every culture has a legend that can be associated with what we call vampires, even if other names are used.
2007-07-25 19:22:13 · answer #5 · answered by IRI 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes...thank God for Bram Stoker
2016-04-01 02:59:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, vampires have existed from the start of mankind. According to extrabiblical jewish legends, Eve was not the first partner for Adam. The first was a woman by the name Lileth, and she was thrown out of paradise and eventually partnered up with a demon and became half demon and is said to live on the blood of newborn babies.....first vampire?
2014-09-17 08:46:42 · answer #7 · answered by webmaster_pdx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vampires have always existed. Popular stories about them existed way before Stroker wrote Dracula. I think he just made them extra popular, and added some of the lore/cliches (well, cliches now) about them (they live in big castles, have accents, etc)
2007-07-25 19:32:06 · answer #8 · answered by Echolalia 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
no Stoker did not invent vampires
2007-07-25 19:12:49 · answer #9 · answered by ♥ Etheria ♥ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
thanks to each and everyone of you guys for the replies!
2016-08-20 07:03:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋