Varney VS Dracula

Welcome to Celebrate Poe.  This is Episode 368 - Varney VS Dracula

This podcast has had episodes about Varney the Vampire, as well as Bram Stoker’s Dracula - but you might well be wondering - what are the realdifferences between the two vampires?  Weren’t all vampires of the 19th century alike.  Well, in this episode, I am going to try and compare Varney and Dracula - and there might be more differences than you think.

Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Transcript

Welcome to Celebrate Poe.  This is Episode 368 - Varney VS Dracula

This podcast has had episodes about Varney the Vampire, as well as Bram Stoker’s Dracula - but you might well be wondering - what are the realdifferences between the two vampires?  Weren’t all vampires of the 19th century alike.  Well, in this episode, I am going to try and compare Varney and Dracula - and there might be more differences than you think.

First, Varney the Vampire is portrayed as a more complex and sympathetic character, often tormented by his own existence and actions. In contrast, Dracula is depicted as a straightforward villain. That’s probably the most important single thing to know

Varney is indifferent to sunlight and can walk freely during the day, while Dracula's powers cease during daylight hours.

Varney is revived by moonlight after being killed, whereas Dracula has no such ability.

Varney is not affected by religious symbols, even disguising himself as a monk at one point. Dracula, however, is repelled by crucifixes and other Christian symbols.

Varney primarily targets young virgins and does not always kill or turn his victims into vampires. Dracula's feeding habits are more indiscriminate and often result in death or transformation.

While both vampires possess superhuman strength, Dracula has additional powers such as shape-shifting and controlling animals and elements, which Varney lacks.

Varney can be destroyed by fire, while Dracula is ultimately killed by staking.

Varney struggles with his nature and seeks human fellowship, displaying a range of emotions and motivations. Dracula, on the other hand, is portrayed as inherently evil.

Although Varney introduced many vampire tropes that we associate with a vampire, Dracula ultimately became the more influential work in shaping our concept of a vampire.

These differences highlight the evolution of vampire literature, with Varney representing an early, more nuanced portrayal of vampires, while Dracula established many of the conventions that would define the genre in popular culture.

I’d like to take a minute or two and talk about something that I think is very unusual - the unique eating habits of Varney the Vampire. You see, Varney
feeds only once in hundreds of pages, making him less monstrous and more sympathetic than typical vampires.  And Varney primarily targets young, virginal girls, often marrying them before feeding.

And while vampires are generally believed to only consume blood, Varney's eating habits are inconsistent. In some chapters, he cannot eat meat, while in others, he is seen having a steak dinner. He is also observed drinking wine, which he uses to deflect suspicion.

For Varney, blood consumption is not about taste or experience but a necessity for survival. He states, "The sustenance that supports this frame must be drawn from the life-blood of others".

And unlike other vampires who are destroyed by sunlight, Varney can be killed by conventional means but is always revived by exposure to moonlight

Varney does not necessarily kill his victims during feeding, nor does he always turn them into vampires. However, if they die soon after being fed upon, they may become vampires.

These unique feeding habits and characteristics make Varney a transitional figure in vampire literature, paving the way for more complex and sympathetic vampire characters in later works.

It is especially information to see how Varney’s character evolves throughout the story because he transforms from a simple monster into a complex, sympathetic figure. Initially Varney first appears as a straightforward villain, tormenting the Bannerworth family and committing evil acts. But As the story progresses, Varney's motivations become clearer, and he develops into a character with more depth. Varney vacillates between being a monster and criminal to a victim and even an altruist, making his actions unpredictable. He even becomes increasingly tormented by his own existence and haunted by his evil acts, displaying a level of self-awareness and regret.

Over time, Varney is presented with increasing sympathy as a victim of circumstances, unable to save himself from his condition.  And despite his vampiric nature, Varney seeks human fellowship and often regrets his unsavory actions.  In other words, he wants that human connection.

However, by the end of the story, Varney is depicted as a worn-out, conscience-stricken character, far from the indestructible symbol of evil.

This evolution of Varney's character from a simple monster to a complex, sympathetic figure was groundbreaking for its time and laid the foundation for many modern vampire narratives that explore the internal struggles and moral ambiguities of vampiric characters.

Varney the Vampire exhibits several key moments that showcase his sympathetic side, making him a groundbreaking character in vampire literature.  For example, Varney becomes increasingly tormented by his own existence and haunted by his evil acts, displaying a level of self-awareness and regret not seen in earlier vampire characters.

Despite his vampiric nature, Varney actively seeks human fellowship and often regrets his unsavory actions. Varney is even portrayed as a figure of redemption, similar to modern vampire characters such as Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Bill Compton from True Blood.

Varney also demonstrates introspection and a range of emotions, vacillating between being a monster and a victim, making his actions unpredictable and more human-like.

Varney is actually shown to loathe his vampiric state, making him the first sympathetic vampire in literature to despise his own nature.

In a poignant moment that highlights his despair, Varney ultimately chooses to end his own life by jumping into a volcano, an act that reflects a level of introspection and self sacrifice not possessed by earlier vampire characters.

These moments of vulnerability and humanity in Varney's character were revolutionary for the time, paving the way for the complex, sympathetic vampires that would become prevalent in modern literature and media.

One thing about Varney that struck me as really weird is that Varney is a POLITE Vampire.

Varney often displays gentlemanly behavior, even in tense situations. For instance, when addressing a young lady who is indisposed, he remarks in a sympathetic tone, "If she will accept of my arm, I shall esteem it". This politeness contrasts with his vampiric nature, highlighting his internal struggle.

Varney also extends hospitality to strangers, reflecting a deeply ingrained sense of courtesy. This behavior aligns him with human social norms, making him more sympathetic to readers.

Varney's polite demeanor adds depth to his character, showing that he retains human qualities despite his vampiric condition. This complexity makes him more than just a one-dimensional monster.

His courteous behavior often clashes with his vampiric urges, emphasizing the tragic nature of his existence. This conflict between his human manners and monstrous needs evokes sympathy from readers.

By this point, you might be wondering - how does Dracula (of Bram Stoker's novel) differ from Varney the Vampire.

Well, Varney is portrayed as a more complex and sympathetic character, often tormented by his own existence and actions. In contrast, Dracula is depicted as a straightforward villain.

Varney shows human-like qualities, seeking fellowship and regretting his unsavory actions. Dracula, however, lacks such emotional depth and remains unrepentantly evil.

Varney is indifferent to sunlight and can walk freely during the day, while Dracula's powers cease during daylight hours.

Dracula can shape-shift into animals and control elements, abilities that Varney lacks.

Varney primarily targets young virgins and does not always kill or turn his victims into vampires. Dracula's feeding habits are more - shall we say - indiscriminate.

Varney is depicted as worn-out and conscience-stricken by the end of his story, while Dracula remains an indestructible symbol of evil throughout.

These differences highlight the evolution of vampire literature, with Varney representing an early, more nuanced portrayal of vampires, while Dracula established many of the conventions that would define the genre in popular culture.

Perhaps most important is the fact that the motivations of Varney and Dracula differ significantly, reflecting their distinct characterizations in vampire literature.

Varney is motivated by a mix of human and vampiric needs, including monetary interests, companionship, and blood sustenance. Dracula is primarily driven by a desire for power, revenge, and spreading his vampiric influence.

Varney is often tormented by his own existence, seeking human fellowship and regretting his unsavory actions. Dracula lacks emotional complexity, remaining unrepentantly evil throughout the novel.
Varney is frequently motivated by monetary gain, targeting wealthy families.
On the other hand, Dracula shows little interest in financial matters, focusing instead on domination and spreading his curse.

Varney loathes his vampiric condition, viewing it as a curse and seeking ways to end it. Dracula embraces his vampiric nature, using it to further his goals of conquest and revenge.

Varney attempts to save himself from his cursed state, ultimately seeking a form of redemption. Dracula shows no desire for redemption, and is fully committed to his evil nature.

Varney has a strange romantic interest. He seeks women not only for blood but also for companionship and possible marriage. Dracula primarily views women as prey or as a means to expand his influence.

These differences highlight Varney's more human-like and sympathetic portrayal compared to Dracula's straightforward villainy, reflecting the evolution of vampire characters in literature.

When both vampires are compared, it is obvious that Varney’s humanity significantly influences his actions, creating a stark contrast with Dracula's straightforward villainy.

Varney experiences a wide range of human emotions, including remorse, loneliness, and a desire for companionship. He is "tormented by his own existence" and "regrets his unsavory actions". In contrast, Dracula lacks such emotional depth, remaining "unrepentantly evil throughout the story".

Varney's motivations are more human-like, including "monetary interests, companionship, and blood sustenance". Dracula, however, is primarily driven by a desire for power and spreading his vampiric influence.

Varney demonstrates introspection, showing a level of self-awareness absent in Dracula. He ultimately commits suicide by throwing himself into Mount Vesuvius, leaving behind an account of his origin.

As the story progresses, Varney is presented with increasing sympathy as a victim of circumstances. He becomes a "figure of redemption," similar to modern vampire characters. Dracula, on the other hand, shows no desire for redemption.

Varney's actions are often morally ambiguous, vacillating between villainous and sympathetic behavior. This complexity is absent in Dracula, who remains consistently villainous.

Varney attempts to integrate into human society, even mimicking human behavior when it suits him. Dracula maintains a clear separation from humanity, using humans only as pawns or prey.

Varney's humanity creates an internal struggle between his vampiric nature and his human desires, leading to a more complex character. Dracula embraces his vampiric nature without such conflict.

This contrast between Varney's humanity and Dracula's villainy represents a significant evolution in vampire literature, with Varney paving the way for more sympathetic and complex vampire characters in modern fiction.

And there are the consequences of Varney's humanity on his ability to adapt to different situations. Varney's humanity significantly influences his ability to adapt to different situations, creating a complex character that contrasts with more traditional vampire portrayals:

Varney experiences a wide range of human emotions, including remorse and loneliness. This emotional depth allows him to better understand and respond to various social situations, potentially making him more adaptable than vampires who lack such emotional range.

The struggle between Varney's vampiric nature and his human desires creates an internal conflict that forces him to constantly adapt his behavior. And Varney's capacity for introspection allows him to learn from his experiences and adjust his actions accordingly. This self-awareness likely contributes to his ability to adapt to new circumstances.

Unlike vampires who separate themselves from humanity, Varney attempts to integrate into human society. This desire to blend in necessitates a higher degree of adaptability, as he must constantly adjust his behavior to match human norms.

Varney's actions often vacillate between villainous and sympathetic, reflecting a more human-like moral complexity. This ambiguity may allow him to adapt his behavior based on the specific demands of a situation, rather than being constrained by a rigid moral code.

Now family connections often shape an individual’s values and beliefs.  Dracula certainly did not have nor develop such values, but Varney did - and that made all the difference.

You see, for Varney, these family-instilled values likely influenced his personal ethics and approach to relationships, potentially affecting his ability to adapt to various situations.

Family relationships can serve as a crucial source of emotional support and well-being. The nature of Varney's familial relationships likely influenced his resilience and emotional responses, which in turn could have affected his adaptability in different personal and professional settings.

How Varney navigated conflicts within his family and others could have influenced his conflict resolution strategies and coping mechanisms. These skills would have been valuable in adapting to challenging situations throughout his life. In summary, such aspects of Varney's humanity contribute to a character who is more flexible and adaptable than traditional vampire archetypes, allowing him to navigate a wider range of situations and relationships.

This episode has basically been a comparison of two literary vampires - Varney the Vampire and Bram Stoker’s Dracula - but in the future I would like to compare two cinematic vampires - Dracula and Nosferatu.

Join Celebrate Poe for episode 369 - The Judge’s House - Part One - a great story by Bram Stoker.

Sources include: Coy Hall - The Horrors of History: Vampires, Sources include: Vampires: A Handbook of History & Lore of the Undead by Agnes Hollyhock, Vampire Forensics: Uncovering the Origins of an Enduring Legend by Mark Collins Jenkins, and In Search of Dracula: The History of Dracula and Vampires by Radu Florescu and Raymond T. McNally, and Dracula by Bram Stoker.

Thank you for listening to Celebrate Poe.