Overview:
The novel centers around Flora Bannerworth, a young and beautiful woman who is attacked by a vampire in her home. The creature, later revealed to be Sir Francis Varney, is described as tall, gaunt, and bloodless with piercing eyes and sharp, fang-like teeth. The vampire, who seems to have an affinity for the Bannerworth family, returns to the hall, leaving behind evidence of his presence in the form of bite marks on Flora’s neck and a piece of his clothing.
Henry, Flora’s brother, and his companions, Robert Marchdale and Dr. Chillingworth, investigate the family vault, hoping to find the remains of a supposed vampyre ancestor and prove their suspicion false. However, they discover the coffin of Marmaduke Bannerworth to be empty, further fueling their fears. The story takes a dramatic turn when Charles Holland, Flora’s fiancé, arrives and finds himself drawn into the supernatural mystery, vowing to protect Flora from the vampire.
Key findings:
- The vampire’s attack on Flora is a horrifying and inexplicable event that leaves the Bannerworth family terrified and seeking explanations.
- The family suspects their ancestor, Marmaduke Bannerworth, to be the vampire, but finding his coffin empty in the family vault confirms their worst fears.
- The vampire’s desire to possess Bannerworth Hall suggests a sinister connection to the family history.
- The vampire’s ability to regenerate after being shot points to his supernatural nature.
Learning:
- The text explores the powerful and enduring nature of fear, particularly when it comes to the unknown and the supernatural.
- It highlights the importance of critical thinking and the challenge of discerning fact from fiction when confronted with evidence of the impossible.
- The novel presents a vivid and chilling depiction of the vampire, a creature steeped in folklore and superstition.
- The reader learns about the origins of the vampire myth in European folklore, particularly in Norway and Sweden.
Historical context:
The novel is set in 1847, a time when Victorian England was gripped by a fascination with the macabre and the supernatural. Gothic literature was thriving, and authors like Bram Stoker were publishing works that popularized the vampire myth. The novel itself reflects this fascination, drawing upon existing folklore and adding its own unique twist to the tale.
Facts:
- Vampyres were believed to exist in Norway and Sweden, where the superstition originated, and their belief spread to other regions.
- Vampyres were believed to live on human blood, consuming their victims’ life essence and thus prolonging their own existence.
- Vampyres could be killed but could be restored to life by the light of the full moon.
- The body of a vampyre did not decompose like that of a normal person, instead, it appeared fresh and vital, often with wounds resembling bite marks.
- The belief was that anyone bitten by a vampyre could become a vampire themselves after death.
- Marmaduke Bannerworth was an ancestor of the Bannerworth family who committed suicide and was buried in his clothes.
- A solicitor in London attempted to purchase Bannerworth Hall from the Bannerworth family, but his offer was rejected.
- Flora Bannerworth was almost killed in a fall from a precipice in Italy and was saved by Charles Holland.
- The Bannerworth family had lost their wealth and their home through gambling and extravagance.
- Sir Francis Varney purchased Ratford Abbey, an estate close to Bannerworth Hall.
- Sir Francis Varney visited the Bannerworth family, offering his support and sympathy.
- Sir Francis Varney was later revealed to be the vampire who had attacked Flora.
- A letter was sent to Admiral Bell, warning him about Charles Holland’s impending marriage into the Bannerworth family.
- The letter contained a false accusation that Flora Bannerworth was a vampire and that her children would inherit the vampiric curse.
- A letter addressed to Flora was left behind by Charles Holland, claiming to be breaking off their engagement due to her being a vampire.
- The letters were later revealed to be forgeries.
- The vampire was described as being capable of superhuman strength and speed.
- A hidden dungeon was discovered under the ruins of Monks’ Hall.
- A mysterious figure visited the dungeon and attempted to get the prisoner to sign a document.
Statistics:
- Sir Runnagate Bannerworth died 90 years before the novel’s events.
- Marmaduke Bannerworth died in 1640.
- The distance between Bannerworth Hall and the village church is nearly a mile.
- The mill fire could be seen from the Bannerworth Hall, even in the dark.
- The vampire was believed to need to consume blood frequently to maintain his existence.
- The Bannerworth family received a hundred pounds annually from a relative.
- Flora fell from a precipice of almost immeasurable depth.
- The distance between Bannerworth Hall and the nearest market town is significant.
- The trip taken by Admiral Bell and Jack Pringle to find Charles Holland was 170 miles.
- The Count de Hugo de Verole’s death was attributed to a putrid disease.
- The young Count de Hugo de Verole was ten years old when his father died.
Terms:
- Vampyre: A mythical creature, often described as a reanimated corpse, who feeds on human blood.
- Penny Dreadful: A type of cheap, sensational fiction popular in Victorian England. These stories were serialized in installments and often featured horror or adventure themes.
- Ghouls: Creatures in Arabic and Persian folklore who are believed to steal and eat dead bodies.
- Sema: A type of vampire in Scandinavian folklore, believed to steal the life force of its victims.
- Necromancer: A person who practices the art of communicating with the dead.
- Gout: A painful medical condition that causes inflammation in the joints.
- Billet Doux: A love letter.
- Walley de sham: A trusted companion, friend, or aide.
- Gammon: Nonsense or deceptive talk.
- Causus belli: The reason for a fight or conflict.
Examples:
- Flora’s attack: Flora, the protagonist, is attacked by a vampire in her bedroom while the house is struck by a violent storm. This attack serves as a catalyst for the entire narrative and fuels the family’s fears.
- The Search of the Vault: Henry and his companions investigate the family vault, finding the coffin of Marmaduke Bannerworth empty, adding further evidence to their suspicions about the vampire’s true identity.
- Charles’s arrival: Charles Holland, Flora’s fiancé, arrives at Bannerworth Hall after a two-year absence, and immediately finds himself entangled in the family’s supernatural mystery.
- The meeting in the summer house: Flora, in a sleepwalking state, wanders to the summer house and encounters Sir Francis Varney. This meeting is a turning point in the narrative and leads to Flora’s determination to flee the Hall.
- The forged letters: The forged letters, written in Charles Holland’s name, serve to further divide the family and fuel suspicion. They are later revealed to be a part of a larger conspiracy.
- The prisoner in the dungeon: The mysterious prisoner confined in the dungeon under Monks’ Hall reveals the existence of a dark conspiracy and the depth of Varney’s villainy.
- The riot in the village: The spreading of the vampire rumor throughout the village leads to a riot against Sir Francis Varney. This action throws the narrative into a public sphere and introduces new threats to the characters.
- The duel: The confrontation between Henry Bannerworth and Sir Francis Varney, with the admiral as Varney’s second, becomes a symbolic battle against the vampire.
- The escape from Monks’ Hall: Sir Francis Varney flees his pursuers, seeking refuge in the ruins of Monks’ Hall, only to be pursued once more by an angry mob.
- The Count de Hugo de Verole’s Story: The tale of the Hungarian countess and her plot to kill her husband, as revealed by Charles Holland’s manuscript, offers a chilling parallel to the events unfolding at Bannerworth Hall.
Conclusion:
“Varney the Vampire; Or, the Feast of Blood” is a gripping tale of gothic horror and family secrets. The Bannerworth family finds itself entangled with a vampire, Sir Francis Varney, who seems determined to claim their ancestral home. Their investigation into their family history and the discovery of the empty coffin of Marmaduke Bannerworth only fuels their fears. The arrival of Charles Holland, Flora’s fiancé, adds another layer of complexity to the story, forcing him to confront the supernatural and the dark secrets that lie beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary life. The novel ultimately explores themes of fear, love, and the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of human nature, leaving the reader questioning the boundaries of reality and the power of ancient superstitions.