What are some things besides vampirism that vampires and ghosts represent in literature?

Answer 1

Metaphors for vampires cover a wide range. Vampires are considered insatiable, sucking the life force out of victims. They have been chosen to represent subjects having to do with sexuality such as incest, homosexuality, sadism and masochism. Ghosts are most often associated with a lack of place, and the haunting persistence of the past,

Answer 2

Vampires and ghosts in literature can also symbolize aspects such as desire, the fear of death or loss, the past haunting the present, and the struggle with immortality. They can also represent forbidden or hidden desires, internal conflicts, and the idea of being trapped between life and death.