Date of Award
1-1-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. in Southern Studies
First Advisor
Andy Harper
Second Advisor
Shiraz Ahmed
Third Advisor
Annemarie Anderson
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
This thesis is an exploration of vampires in New Orleans. The reason I have chosen to include the word “Our” in the title is because we created the stories that I am studying. We created, perpetuated, changed, and eventually monetized them. Throughout this paper I discuss how the vampire came to New Orleans and how that same vampire shows up in New Orleans folklore. Then I discuss how the vampire made the jump from urban legend to pop culture. In doing that it gained “humanity”. They were still monstrous, but it was enough humanity to acquire regional identity, a southern identity. Eventually the vampire would be marketed and branded in the French Quarter where it has since cemented itself into the paranormal tourism industry.
Recommended Citation
Ricketts, Sela, "Don't Let Them In: Our Vampire Stories in the French Quarter" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3369.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/3369
Ricketts Website Run Through
Ricketts Website Run Through pt.2.mov (388357 kB)
Ricketts Website Run Through pt.2