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

to see a resurgence - to become popular or active again

twilight memorabilia - objects that are connected to Twilight

to take to the series - to start liking or enjoying the series

a rite of passage - an important life event that marks growing up or change

to strike a chord with the audience - to make the audience feel emotionally connected

the epitome of average - the perfect example of being ordinary

to make the rounds on TikTok (inf) - to become popular on TikTok

to hop from one aesthetic to the next (inf) - to keep changing your personal style quickly

bootcut jeans - jeans that are slightly wider at the bottom

closet staples - basic clothing items everyone should have

camisole - a sleeveless top with thin straps

lace - thin, delicate fabric with patterns of holes

henley top - a long sleeve with a short row of buttons down the front

plaid button up - a buttoned shirt with a checkered pattern

pendant necklace - a chain with a small decorative piece hanging from it

locket - a small pendant that opens to hold a photo or small object

autumnal colors - shades that remind of fall

to evoke sth - to make sb remember or feel sth

diversity - having a range of different people, ideas, or styles

to fall victim to overconsumption - to buy too many things

to examine sth - to look at sth carefully

moody colors - deep or dark colors that create an emotional atmosphere

to incorporate sth in one’s wardrobe - to start wearing or

using sth as part of one’s personal style