Departamento de Filología Inglesa y Alemana, Traducción e Interpretación TESIS DOCTORAL THE BLOODY ROAD TO EQUALITY: THE PORTRAYAL AND EVOLUTION OF FEMALES IN 20th AND 21st CENTURY US MAINSTREAM VAMPIRE NOVELS Alba Picado Vallejo 2018 (cc)2018 ALBA PICADO VALLEJO (cc by-nc-sa 4.0) A mi madre, que no ha dejado de cuidarme y apoyarme con este trabajo ni un minuto. Ni siquiera cuando el cáncer quiso interponerse entre nosotras. A mi tutor, Martin Simonson, que ha tenido una paciencia infinita con mis dudas y errores y ha sido un gran guía. Y a Rosa, por todo su apoyo y por mantener, tras muchas lecturas, que esta tesis es interesante. A quienes se han preocupado de que comiera bien en medio del caos (Komal, Eva, Amaia). A quienes consiguieron documentos desde sus bibliotecas y fondos que yo no tenía disponibles (Paula, Alba, Javi) y conferencias de mi interés (Ana). A quienes me han “obligado” a dar una vueltita de vez en cuando y, así, han impedido que me volviera loca (Sami, Borja, Ana, Eunate). A Pablo por su cariño. 1 Table of contents 1 Introduction.................................................................................... Page 7 1.1 Women in Vampire Literature.............................................. Page 11 1.2 General Aims.......................................................................... Page 15 1.3 Specific Aims........................................................................... Page 18 1.4 The Novels Under Study........................................................ Page 20 1.5 State of the Art....................................................................... Page 22 1.6 Methodology and Structure.................................................. Page 28 2 Historical Background.................................................................. Page37 2.1 The 1960s and 1970s.............................................................. Page 37 2.1.1 Patriarchal Structures................................................... Page 37 2.1.2 Power Imbalance between Men and Women............... Page 39 2.1.3 Love and Sexuality......................................................... Page 41 2.2 The 1980s and 1990s.............................................................. Page 44 2.2.1 Violence against Women................................................ Page 44 2.2.2 Fashion............................................................................ Page 60 2.2.3 Women in the Domestic Sphere.................................... Page 62 2.2.4 Confusing Contradictions Inherent to the 1990s......... Page 65 2.2.5 Sexuality.......................................................................... Page 69 2.3 The 2000s................................................................................ Page 72 2.3.1 Women in the Workforce............................................... Page 73 2 2.3.2 Violence against Women................................................ Page 74 2.3.2.1 Rape Culture........................................................... Page 75 2.3.3 Sexuality.......................................................................... Page 80 2.3.3.1 Homosexuality........................................................ Page 81 2.3.3.2 Bisexuality............................................................... Page 82 2.3.4 Fashion............................................................................ Page 84 2.3.5 Feminism......................................................................... Page 86 2.4 The 2010s................................................................................ Page 88 2.4.1 Love and Sexuality......................................................... Page 88 2.4.1.1 Family Structures................................................... Page 89 2.4.2 Women in the Workforce............................................... Page 95 2.4.3 Violence against Women................................................ Page 98 2.4.3.1 Rape......................................................................... Page 98 2.4.3.2 Stalking.................................................................... Page 100 2.4.4 Violent Women............................................................... Page 102 2.4.5 Feminism......................................................................... Page 103 2.4.6 Old Gender Stereotypes and Expectations.................. Page 104 3 Interview with the Vampire............................................................. Page 107 3.1 Patriarchal Structures...................................................... Page 107 3.1.1 Female Dependence................................................... Page 109 3.1.2 Patriarchal Family Structures.................................. Page 114 3.1.3 Other Patriarchal Structures................................... Page 117 3 3.2 Power Imbalance between Men and Women.................. Page 120 3.2.1 Women's Empowerment........................................... Page 125 3.2.1.1 Rebelliousness..................................................... Page 126 3.2.1.2 The Quest for Knowledge.................................. Page 129 3.2.1.3 Ferocity............................................................... Page 131 3.2.1.4 Manipulation...................................................... Page 132 3.3 Love, Friendship and Sexuality....................................... Page 134 3.3.1 Love............................................................................. Page 135 3.3.2 Sexuality..................................................................... Page 136 3.4 Final Remarks................................................................... Page 142 4 Lost Souls........................................................................................ Page 145 4.1 Violence against Women................................................... Page 146 4.1.1 Physical Violence....................................................... Page 147 4.1.2 Rape............................................................................ Page 149 4.2 Patriarchal Structures...................................................... Page 163 4.2.1 Patriarchal Family Structures.................................. Page 168 4.3 Power Imbalance between Men and Women.................. Page 178 4.3.1 Dependence................................................................ Page 178 4.3.1.1 Women's Empowerment................................... Page 182 4.3.1.1.1 Rebelliousness............................................. Page 182 4.3.1.1.2 Fashion........................................................ Page 184 4.1.3.1.1.3 Sexual Liberation.................................... Page 184 4 4.3.1.1.4 Manipulation.............................................. Page 185 4.4 Love, Friendship and Sexuality....................................... Page 186 4.4.1 Love and Friendship................................................. Page 186 4.4.2 Sexuality..................................................................... Page 189 4.4.2.1 Portrayal of Homosexuality.............................. Page 193 4.5 Feminism............................................................................ Page 194 4.6 Final Remarks .................................................................. Page 197 5 Southern Vampire Mysteries.......................................................... Page 199 5.1 Women in the Workforce.................................................. Page 200 5.1.1 Contraditions regarding Work and Class Issues ... Page 202 5.1.2 Power Relationships at Work................................... Page 207 5.1.3 Other Working Women............................................. Page 209 5.2 Feminism............................................................................ Page 210 5.2.1 Feminist Discourse.................................................... Page 210 5.2.2 Traditional Values and Contradictions.................... Page 215 5.2.3 Relationships between Women................................. Page 219 5.2.4 Independence............................................................. Page 223 5.3 Violence against Women................................................... Page 232 5.3.1 Harassment................................................................ Page 232 5.3.2 Rape............................................................................ Page 237 5.4 Love and Sexuality............................................................ Page 246 5.4.1 Love............................................................................. Page 246 5 5.4.2 Sexuality..................................................................... Page 258 5.4.2.1 Portrayal of Homosexuality.............................. Page 263 5.5 Final Remarks............................................................... Page 268 6 Chicagoland Vampires.................................................................... Page 270 6.1 Academic and Professional Career.................................. Page 271 6.2 Love and Sexuality............................................................ Page 285 6.2.1 Love............................................................................. Page 285 6.2.1.1 Initial Difficulties............................................... Page 285 6.2.1.2 Subsequent Relationship................................... Page 290 6.2.1.3 Marriage and Parenting.................................... Page 294 6.2.2 Sexuality..................................................................... Page 301 6.2.2.1 Heteronormativity.............................................