Date of Award
2024
Degree Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
English and Theatre
First Advisor
Brent Shannon
Second Advisor
Gerald Nachtwey
Third Advisor
Susan M. Kroeg
Abstract
The thesis discusses how two popular young adult series, Twilight and Vampire Academy, use vampires to aid in conversations revolving around prevalent teenage issues such as sex, consent, and autonomy. Both series have romantic relationships at the forefront of their plot. By having the main characters of the books be in new relationships, the series can show the different trials and tribulations that go with being in a romance for the first time. Sex is a topic that gets brought up with both fictional couples and the two authors deal with it in separate ways. Bringing up sex in young adult fiction is rather controversial; however, when it comes to novels involving vampires, it is an inevitable point of discussion. The main point of this paper is to explore why young adult vampire novels are important to the ongoing conversations about teenagers and their journey to discovering their sexuality.
Recommended Citation
Carter, Sophia, "Sex, Consent, and Autonomy in Twilight and Vampire Academy" (2024). Online Theses and Dissertations. 822.
https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/822
Included in
Children's and Young Adult Literature Commons, Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons
