What makes a vampire a vampire? If we look at Dracula in the origin text here are some of the things that make Dracula a vampire
“pros”
– Immortality if enough blood has been drunk
-No shadows or reflections
-dark vison
– transform into a bat
“lesser-known powers”
– Turns into a wolf
– controls weather
-rides on moonbeams
-can fit through cracks
“weaknesses”
-repelled by garlic and holy symbols
-can only enter with an invitation
-While not harmed by sunlight he is powerless throughout the day
“lesser known weaknesses”
-Can only transform at noon, dusk, and daem
-cannot cross running water
-a wild rose on top of his coffin traps him inside
I think it is really interesting what we have chosen to use for our modern-day vampires and what we chose to leave behind or adapt
It is really cool to see which of these traits has persisted and which were modified or completely written out by later iterations of vampires. I wonder if the reason for this is for literary simplicity or because Count Dracula’s traits were so wild and niche that they really don’t fit in to other stories.