October 29, 2009

Thursday, October 29, 2009

www.msureporter.com

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Sinking teeth into The bewitching the ‘Twilight’ series history of witches DANNIE HIGGINBOTHAM

news editor

index

Sweet voices of seduction, supernatural abilities, the image of a tall, handsome figure creeping around in the moonlight … vampires have long been mysterious figures, representing the unknown and taboo aspects of immortality and sexuality. Many women would choose a vampire lover over a zombie, mummy or ghost any day. After a brief spell of popularity in the ’90s because of shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel”, vampires have become cool again because of Stephanie Meyers’ “Twilight books and movies, as well as shows like HBO’s “True Blood.” The very idea of vampires

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is as old as time. Some of the earliest known beliefs date back to pre-Christian Slavic practices, when many believed in a separate soul and body. If a person died in a violent manner, if they were a bad person, or if they were not given a proper burial, his or her soul could come back for 40 days following their death. Many Slavs feared these souls because of the possibility of revenge. Vampires first began appearing in literature around the 1800s, with the first vampire English-language novel, John Polidori’s “The Vampyre.” Tales of the undead became more popular in penny dreadfuls - cheap, sensational story pamphlets aimed at teenagers, popular in Britain in the nineteenth century.

NICOLE SMITH

editor in chief

The Wicked Witch isn’t the only spell-toting woman from the west. Warts, black hats and bubbling cauldrons coincide with the classic Halloween caricature that has become one of the most notorious predominately female villains in the western world today. What originated hundreds of years ago as a perceived threat against society has evolved into an ambiguous icon that encases many different types of enchanting, powerful women. Witches have become an immense stereotype that countless books, films, products and personas have been developed around,

Twilight / page 10

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proving that the spooky symbol stands the test of time. The Minnesota State Women’s Center has taken this Halloween as an opportunity to raise awareness about the rich history behind witchcraft. An array of bewitching representations transform the center’s ceiling, shelves and walls into a festive display. “It’s just a fun time for us to celebrate powerful women,” said MSU Women’s Center Director Wanda Viento of the office’s décor. Viento also created informational posters with facts about witches to help shed stereotypes. “[Witches] have come to

Witches / page 4 The Reporter’s guide to surviving the zombie apocalypse Page 18