Varney the Vampyre Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What happens when a young girl is sleeping in Varney?

She awakes to find a vampire in her room.

How does the vampire behave in Varney?

The vampire appears and patiently stalks his prey until the end of Chapter 1.

What is the time period of Varney?

1845-1847 (Victorian Era).

What effect does the storm have on the story in Varney?

The storm sets the tone for how the story would turn out. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the mood of Varney.

Dark, ominous, foreboding, hopeless. Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurs when Laura was about 6 years old in Carmilla?

She met Carmilla for the first time, and this experience became a frightening, obsessive dream for her. Signup and view all the answers

How does Carmilla arrive at Laura's house?

She has a carriage accident and her mother convinces Laura's father to take Carmilla in. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Laura as she develops closer relationships with Carmilla and her dad?

She becomes more ill. Signup and view all the answers

When does Laura experience the attacks in Carmilla?

At night in her dreams. Signup and view all the answers

How do the General and Carmilla first meet?

At a masked ball hosted by his old friend. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the General's niece/ward (Bertha) play in Carmilla?

She plays a particular role in finding out who Carmilla actually is and what her intentions are. Signup and view all the answers

What does Carmilla's mother do in relation to Carmilla?

The mother drops Carmilla with Laura and her family and helps Carmilla insert herself in Spielsdorf's household. Signup and view all the answers

What is the connection between Noemí and Catalina in Mexican Gothic?

Noemí and Catalina are cousins. Signup and view all the answers

What does Noemí's father send her to do in Mexican Gothic?

To visit her cousin, Catalina, because she sent a strange letter pleading for help. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Doyle family use as their family crest in Mexican Gothic?

The ouroboros. Signup and view all the answers

How does Howard Doyle regard Noemí in Mexican Gothic?

He and the other Doyles see that Noemí is strong and able to survive the effects of the spores. Signup and view all the answers

What does Noemí do when she finds out about the family's plan in Mexican Gothic?

She sets Agnes and the fungus in the basement on fire. Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of High Place in Mexican Gothic?

It was old and in the Victorian style. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Eugenics' refer to?

A set of beliefs focused on improving the human population through a superior/inferior hierarchy. Signup and view all the answers

What is described by the term 'Momento Mori'?

Tokens of the dead made popular during the nineteenth century. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Victorian' describe?

A time period in British history ruled by Queen Victoria. Signup and view all the answers

What is a novella?

A short novel of narrative prose fiction. Signup and view all the answers

What is a schloss?

A building similar to a château, palace, or manor house. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Varney, the Vampyre; or, the Feast of Blood

The plot begins with a young girl awakening to find a vampire in her room, crafting a suspenseful atmosphere.
The vampire stalks her throughout Chapter 1, highlighting a slow build of tension and dread.
Varney is established as the vampire and the young maiden as his unsuspecting prey.
Set during the Victorian Era (1845-1847), the stormy weather symbolizes the foreboding tone of the narrative.
The environment before the storm is described as lifeless, marked by a "death like stillness."
During the storm, chaos ensues, likened to a battle between winds, amplifying the sense of danger.
Post-storm, the setting provides stark stillness, described as "still as the very grave," reinforcing the gothic atmosphere.
The large, ancient house features stained windows and intricate carvings, enhancing the eerie mood, which is dark, ominous, and hopeless.

Carmilla

Laura first encounters Carmilla at the age of six, leading to a profound obsession that haunts her.
Carmilla arrives at Laura's household after a carriage accident; her mother persuades Laura's father to provide refuge.
As Carmilla deepens her bond with Laura and her father, Laura's health deteriorates, indicating a sinister influence.
Attacks on Laura occur at night, manifested as disturbing dreams entwined with her growing affection for Carmilla.
Major plot development occurs at a masked ball where the General meets Carmilla, setting in motion the quest for her true identity.
Bertha, the General's niece, plays a pivotal role in uncovering Carmilla’s veil of secrecy.
Carmilla is forbidden to reveal details about her family to Laura and her father, which heightens the intrigue.
The Baron assists the General in tracing Carmilla’s whereabouts, leading to significant revelations.
Despite Carmilla's demise, Laura remains haunted, suggesting lasting psychological effects from their connection.

Millcara

Millcara, another character, integrates into Laura's life, blossoming into a romantic relationship filled with youthful innocence.
The bond between Millcara and Laura showcases themes of closeness, love, and childhood purity.
Conflict arises as Millcara drains Laura's cousin, prompting suspicion from her uncle.
The tale turns dark when Laura’s uncle kills Millcara’s mother, creating a tense climax.
Laura and Millcara’s alliance leads to a desperate escape, with Laura expressing a desire to become a vampire.
The ending is ambiguous, as Laura falls unconscious, leaving her fate uncertain.

Mexican Gothic

Set in the 1950s in Mexico, the narrative features Noemí, sent to assist her cousin Catalina, who claims she is being poisoned.
High Place, the gothic estate, reflects a decaying elegance once supported by local silver mines.
The Doyle family’s insignia, the ouroboros, symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and transmutation of souls within the story.
Noemí forms a crucial bond with Francis Doyle, though their relationship faces challenges due to family pressures.
After discovering Noemí's intentions to leave, the Doyle family orchestrates a deceptive dinner, revealing their manipulative nature.
A pivotal moment occurs when Howard Doyle forces Noemí to ingest a hallucinogenic substance, exposing the dark history of High Place.
The family believes in the necessity of preserving their lineage through Noemí, leading to her coerced entanglement with Francis.
Chaos unfolds during a confrontation with Howard, followed by a harrowing escape, wherein Noemí sets fiery retribution against Agnes and the sinister elements of High Place.

A Scandal in Bohemia

The story is narrated by Dr. John Watson, who offers insights into Sherlock Holmes' character and deductions.
Disguised as a nobleman, the King of Bohemia seeks Holmes' aid to retrieve a compromising photograph held by Irene Adler.
Adler’s cleverness poses a challenge to Holmes, culminating in a plot where a staged fire forces her to reveal the photograph's hiding place.
Unexpectedly, Adler outmaneuvers Holmes, escapes with the photo, and leaves him impressed, earning her the title of "the woman."
Holmes' payment for his services is a mere photograph of Adler, emphasizing the respect he holds for her intelligence.

Key Terms and Concepts

Eugenics: A concept promoting the idea of improving human populations through selective breeding, relevant within themes in Mexican Gothic.
Gothic: Reflects a literary style focusing on horror, death, and romance that flourished in the 19th century.
Ouroboros: An emblematic symbol in Mexican Gothic, representing life's cyclical nature.
Momento Mori: Objects signifying mortality that became significant during the 19th century, connected to burgeoning mourning customs.
Victorian: Describes the period characterized by Queen Victoria’s reign (1837-1901), noted for social and cultural advancements.
Novella: A narrative form longer than a short story but shorter than a novel, exemplified by works like Carmilla.
Schloss: A term for a mansion or castle typically found in Gothic literature, symbolizing grandeur and decay.
Tuberculosis: A widespread disease in the 19th century, viewed with a romantic lens that intertwined delicate beauty with death.

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Description

Test your knowledge on Thomas Prest's 'Varney, the Vampyre; or, the Feast of Blood' with these flashcards. Explore key plot developments and character relationships that shape this classic gothic tale. Perfect for English midterm preparation!