Genre
Romantic vampire fiction, fantasy fiction
Setting and Context
Europe in the 1800s
Narrator and Point of View
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.
Tone and Mood
The tone is one of intrigue, suspense and terror. The mood is dark, fearful, and doomed.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: Aubrey; Antagonist: Lord Ruthven
Major Conflict
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.
Climax
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."
Foreshadowing
The description of Lord Ruthven's pale hue foreshadows his presumed role as a vampire.
Understatement
"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.
Allusions
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.
Imagery
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.
Paradox
Paradoxically, it is precisely the qualities that attract Aubrey to Ianthe that also lead him to ridicule marrying her.
Parallelism
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.