Describe the influence of the Enlightenment on vampire literature.

The Enlightenment, which spanned the late 17th to the 18th century, was characterized by an emphasis on reason, empirical evidence, and a questioning of traditional beliefs. In the context of vampire literature, this intellectual movement introduced themes that juxtapose rationality against superstition. As writers began to explore the notion of the "rational man," they often portrayed vampires as figures that challenged Enlightenment ideals.

Vampires embodied the clash between the old superstitious beliefs of folklore and the new scientifically minded worldview promoted during the Enlightenment. Authors used vampire narratives to explore anxieties around emerging modern scientific perspectives and to critique the lingering belief in the supernatural. The tension between these competing ideologies helped to shape and redefine vampire literature, as it often presented vampires as both terrifying and fascinating, serving as symbols for the irrational elements of human nature that Enlightenment thinkers sought to understand and often suppress.

This shift towards examining the conflict between rational thought and supernatural belief marked a pivotal moment in vampire literature, making it more complex and layered than mere ghost stories steeped in folklore. Thus, the incorporation of these themes is a critical reason why the correct answer aligns with the impact of the Enlightenment on vampire literature.