lmx_v3point3

One thing I didn't even think about in my comment and is now jumping up and down on my brain in a violent way is the link between vampires and religion based abstinence. Which seems so obvious now I think about it and yet have gone many years without even thinking about it.

Linking the idea of a 'safe' lover and the idea that as soon as that intimacy barrier is broken the man has the potential of becoming 'unsafe' or out of control, dangerous. I guess this would clarify why the classic vampire stories are all male vampire with female human. The 'vampire' side of the man is actually his sexuality, and intimacy is a temptation that leads to danger. Crosses are the thing that ward the vampire off, but only work when the wielder has strong belief in their own faith...

I am now feeling dense, went hunting for some better meta than my own and came up short, 99.9% Twilight discussion. Picked up a couple of things that might interest you though. :D

http://julieclawson.com/2008/08/17/vampires-myth-and-christianity/
http://utu.academia.edu/LydiaKokkola/Papers/444697/Virtuous_Vampires_and_Voluptuous_Vamps_Romance_conventions_reconsidered_in_Stephenie_Meyers_Twilight_Series