Vampires have been around for centuries and are not simply "fluff" as they are occasionally presented as today. They often act as a "safe" monster for humans to project their fears or secret desires onto. This makes them an interesting societal gauge. This essay is an abridged version of the author's master's thesis on vampire fiction and is therefore more scholarly than commercial. It focuses on a limited number of examples to provide an overview of the importance of vampire fiction through time rather than a comprehensive study. It contains a useful list of works cited suitable for students or those interested in learning more about the topic.