The Vampyre By John William Polidori

Gothic fiction has been around for centuries and many great works were created with gothic fiction being the main role. “The Vampyre” by John William Polidori is amongst one of the most famous works under the gothic fiction genre. In “The Vampyre” reflects several themes which also reflect current real life problems and issues of the 19th century. Those themes that are going to be discussed are time and place, power, sexual power, the uncanny, the sublime, crisis, and the supernatural and the real.

The theme of time and place is being presented through the portrayal of the vampire as a timeless, wandering figure. With themes of mortality, decadence, and the deterioration of conventional values, the story, which is set in the 19th century,

This can be interpreted as a reflection of society's concerns regarding the concentration of power in a small number of people. He also represents the anxiety of ceding to a force bigger than oneself and losing control. In this way, "The Vampyre" is a reflection on the perils of unrestrained power as well as how it can damage people's lives.

The theme of sexual power is also being presented through Lord Ruthven, being depicted as sexually alluring and using his power over women to manipulate and control them. This expresses concerns about women's fragility and the potentially hazardous aspects of male libido.
It stems from the widespread perception at the time that women were the weaker sex and were therefore more susceptible to the influence of sexually dominant men. The story is intended to teach a lesson about the perils of giving in to temptation and yielding to the strength of sexual

The terror of the unknown and the uncertainty of what lies beyond are embodied by Lord Ruthven's vampiric nature and his fear of death. As the aristocracy faced waning power and the prospect of revolution, the novel also portrays the political and social turmoil of the moment. Lord Ruthven is a representation of the future's unpredictability and lack of control. The greater cultural crisis of the day, as well as people's dread of the future and change, are all reflected in the story.

The theme of the supernatural and the real portrays the supernatural element in a manner that is both distressing and fascinating, capturing the imagination of its readers. However, the narrative also depicts aspects of morality and human conduct that exist in the real world. Polidori explores the concepts of good and evil as well as the effects of our decisions through the deeds of the vampire and the responses of the human characters. The supernatural and the real combine in "The Vampyre," making it a classic and compelling work of