Which literary period utilized vampires as metaphors in their works, especially during the early 19th century?

The early 19th century was a significant time for the development of the Romantic period in literature, during which themes of emotion, nature, and individualism flourished. This era saw the emergence of vampire literature that used the character of the vampire as a metaphor for various societal fears, desires, and the exploration of the human psyche.

Notably, works such as John Polidori's "The Vampyre" and Bram Stoker's "Dracula" (though published later, it draws heavily on themes established by Romantic writers) reflect the Romantic fascination with the supernatural and the tensions between rationality and emotion. These vampire figures often represented forbidden desires, the allure of the unknown, and challenges to social norms, making them a powerful symbol during this literary period.

In contrast, Victorian literature, which followed the Romantic period, often focused more on social mores and morality, while Modernist and Postmodern literature took more abstract approaches, moving away from concrete symbols like vampires. Thus, the Romantic period stands out as the era that primarily utilized vampires in metaphorical contexts, capturing the complexities of human nature and societal fears during that time.