The Vampyre Literary Elements

Romantic vampire fiction, fantasy fiction

Europe in the 1800s

The Vampyre has third-person limited narration. This is because the narrator's point of view is most closely aligned with Aubrey’s subjective perspective. The narrator has apparent access to Aubrey’s thoughts and feelings but not to those of the other characters.

The tone is one of intrigue, suspense and terror. The mood is dark, fearful, and doomed.

Protagonist: Aubrey; Antagonist: Lord Ruthven

The novella's major conflict is that Lord Ruthven appears to be a vampire who comes back from the dead to torment Aubrey and his loved ones.

The novella reaches its climax when Ruthven apparently returns from the dead and preys on Aubrey’s sister, who ultimately "[gluts] the thirst of a vampyre."

The description of Lord Ruthven's pale hue foreshadows his presumed role as a vampire.

"Aubrey determined upon leaving one, whose character had not yet shown a single bright point on which to rest the eye." This understatement that there are no bright points in Ruthven's character plays down the extent to which Aubrey is appalled at the path of destruction that his travel companion leaves wherever they go.

Lord Ruthven's name alludes to Clarence de Ruthven, the full name of Lord Glenarvon, the title character in a novel by Lady Caroline Lamb. Lamb was one of Byron's ex-lovers and she based the character on Byron to paint an unflattering picture of him.

The imagery of Ianthe's corpse, with blood on her neck and breast and bitemarks on her throat, is important, since it is the first time Aubrey sees something that leads him to believe that vampires might be real.

Paradoxically, it is precisely the qualities that attract Aubrey to Ianthe that also lead him to ridicule marrying her.

There is a strong parallel between the letter extracts that open and close the novella. Both letters are chiefly concerned with Lord Byron. In both letters, the writers describe visiting Byron's homes outside of England. Moreover, both letters discuss Byron's character and reputation at length.