S1 B1-B2 BITE ME (PLEASE): UNPACKING TWILIGHT-CORE & POP CULTURE’S VAMPIRE CRAZE

to dominate pop culture

to strongly influence pop culture

fueled by nostalgia

driven by feelings of longing for the past

to make a comeback

to become popular or successful again

feud

a long and bitter quarrel between people or groups

installment

one part of a continuing series, film, or book

to put sth on the line

to risk sth important

cultural punching bag

sth often criticized or mocked by society

to revisit sth

to return to and look at sth again

to play a crucial role in sth

to be very important in making sth happen

to return to the limelight

to become famous again

to coincide with sth

to happen at the same time as sth

devoted

very loyal and dedicated

invested

emotionally or personally involved in sth

in hindsight

looking back and understanding sth after it has happened

mean-spirited

unkind or cruel in attitude or behavior

detractor

a person who criticizes or speaks badly about sb or sth

to warp sb’s perception of sth

to change sb’s view of sth in a negative or twisted way

campy (inf)

exaggerated in style, so absurd and shocking it’s funny

backlash

strong negative reaction against sth

to vanish from the public eye

to disappear from media attention

to get swept up in

to become very involved or carried away by an emotion or situation

ridiculous

very silly or unreasonable

to reclaim sth

to take back or regain control over sth

to tear sth down (inf)

to criticize sth strongly

to qualify as 'good'

to meet the standard needed to be considered good

to embrace sth

to willingly accept or support sth

destined to do sth

certain to do or achieve sth in the future

eternity

time without end or limits, forever

to lure sb into sth

to tempt or attract sb into doing sth, often deceivingly

to confess one’s love for sb

to openly tell sb about romantic feelings

to murder sb

to deliberately kill sb

lust for sth

strong desire or craving for sth

questionable

likely to be doubted or considered suspicious

to stalk sb

to follow and watch sb secretly or repeatedly

clingy (inf)

wanting to stay close to sb all the time in an annoying way

codependency

a relationship where one excessively relies on the other emotionally

overprotective

caring for sb too much and limiting their freedom

to restrict sth

to limit or control sth

to guilt sb into doing sth

to make sb feel bad so they agree to do sth

to pursue sb

to try to develop a relationship or gain attention from sb

self-loathing

intense dislike or hate for oneself

to get the chills (inf)

to suddenly feel fear or shivers

to sob

to cry deeply and noisily

to hang out with sb (inf)

to spend time together casually

to lead sb on

to make sb think you like them romantically without truly meaning it

to invite sb out on a date

to ask sb to join you for a romantic evening

to suck the life out of sb

to drain sb’s energy or enthusiasm

messed up (inf)

(of a situation) full of problems, wrong

hostile

unfriendly or aggressive

forbidden desire

a strong feeling of want that is not allowed

to conquer death

to defeat or overcome dying

sensuality

enjoyment or expression of physical pleasure, especially sexual

potent allegories

powerful stories or images with deeper meanings

limited to the realm of horror

existing only within the horror genre

to serve as a distinctive metaphor

to be a clear and unique symbolic example

aspects of the human condition

parts of life and human experience

longing for immortality

a strong desire to live forever

burden

a heavy responsibility or source of worry

solitary

alone, without others

agonizing

causing extreme pain or suffering

entity

sth or sb that exists as a separate being, apart from others

bleakness

a feeling or state of coldness, emptiness, or hopelessness

seductive allure

attractive charm that strongly tempts sb

to repel sb

to push sb away or cause sb to feel dislike

vampire fangs

long, sharp teeth of a vampire used for biting

to sap sb’s life force

to weaken sb by taking away their energy

to prey on sb

to harm or deceive sb, typically from a position of strength

to feed on sb’s life energy

to gain strength by taking sb’s energy

repressed sexual fantasies

hidden sexual desires

to mirror prevailing social issues

to reflect current major societal problems

vampire-related tales

stories about or involving vampires

malleability

ability to change shape or adapt easily

on the verge of sth

on the edge of sth, very close to sth

to transcend horror roots

to go beyond the horror origins and gain bigger meaning

to sink one’s teeth into sth (inf)

to start doing sth with a lot of energy

chiseled features

a face with strong, well-shaped lines

sickly look

an unhealthy or pale appearance

lustful nature

feeling or connected with strong sexual desire

transgression

the act of breaking a rule or moral standard

to submit to sb

to give in to sb’s control or authority

to draw sb in

to attract sb and make them interested in sth

to fight against the urge to do sth

to try not to do sth you strongly want to do

captivated by sb/sth

strongly interested or fascinated by sb or sth

damsel in distress

a young woman in need of help or rescue

taboo

socially or morally forbidden action or subject

enticing

very attractive or tempting

pent-up emotion

strong feeling kept inside for a long time

kink (inf)

an unusual or playful sexual interest or habit

to indulge in a fantasy

to allow yourself to imagine or enjoy sth unreal

enduring appeal

long-lasting charm or popularity

to violate moral values

to go against accepted ethical standards

mature

showing emotional or mental growth and responsibility

blessing

sth positive that brings happiness or help

curse

sth evil that happens to sb, by or as if by a magical power

to appeal to sb

to attract sb’s interest or liking

superficial

only concerned with surface appearance, not deep meaning

irresistible looks

appearance so attractive it’s hard to ignore

magnetic personality

a very charming and naturally attractive personality

peril

great danger or risk

dressed down looks

casual or simple styles of clothing