Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
The Professor's Hidden Curse
Tom introduces Arthur Levine as a history professor who is secretly a vampire. The story then moves into Arthur's tragic history with Mary Lipinsky.
Key Events
-
Tom Introduces Arthur's Story — Tom Slansky introduces the story of Arthur Levine, a history professor with a secret. Characters: Tom Slansky, Arthur Levine
Location: Hawthorne College
-
The Secret Vampire Professor — Arthur Levine is revealed as a history professor who is secretly a vampire. Characters: Arthur Levine
Location: Hawthorne College
-
Arthur Falls for Mary — Centuries earlier, Arthur Levine falls in love with Mary Lipinsky, a human woman. Characters: Arthur Levine, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky
Location: Historical setting
-
The Fatal Bite — During an intimate night, Arthur bites and kills Mary Lipinsky. Characters: Arthur Levine, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky
Location: Mary's residence
-
Mary's Family Rejects Arthur — Mary's death causes her family to reject Arthur Levine. Characters: Arthur Levine, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky
Location: Mary's family home
Grief Beneath the Fangs
Arthur kills Mary during an intimate encounter and is rejected by her family. His failed feeding and centuries of animal-blood survival establish his guilt and unusual condition.
Key Events
-
A Friar at the Funeral — Arthur disguises himself as a friar to attend Mary's funeral. Characters: Arthur Levine, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky
Location: Funeral
-
Arthur Fights Gregor — Arthur fights Gregor and declares that he never meant to hurt Mary. Characters: Arthur Levine, Gregor
Location: Funeral
-
The Fangs Stop Growing — After Mary's death, Arthur's vampire fangs stop growing. Characters: Arthur Levine, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky
Location: Historical setting
-
Surviving on Animal Blood — Unable to feed normally, Arthur survives on animal blood. Characters: Arthur Levine
Location: Various locations
-
Three Centuries of Impotence — For roughly 300 years, Arthur struggles with what he calls vampire impotence. Characters: Arthur Levine
Location: Various locations
An Affair Reawakens Memory
Arthur becomes involved with Chris, whose presence evokes Mary's memory and deepens his grief. Chris confides in Fred, who advises her to end the affair.
Key Events
-
Arthur Meets Chris — Arthur becomes involved with Chris Keller, a nineteen-year-old student. Characters: Arthur Levine, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky
Location: Hawthorne College
-
Mary Returns in Memory — Chris gives Arthur fleeting feelings that Mary is alive again, intensifying his guilt and grief. Characters: Arthur Levine, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky
Location: Hawthorne College
-
Chris Confides in Fred — Chris tells Fred that college has not brought the ordinary experiences she expected. Characters: Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky, Fred Green
Location: Hawthorne College
-
Fred Advises Separation — Fred advises Chris to end her sexual relationship with Arthur. Characters: Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky, Fred Green, Arthur Levine
Location: Hawthorne College
Evidence Against the Professor
Tom discovers a photograph that appears to prove Arthur is a vampire. Chris and others confront Arthur with reflected sunlight and a wooden stake, but the attack fails.
Key Events
-
The Impossible Photograph — Tom finds Chris beside Arthur's umbrella, but Arthur is missing from the photograph. Characters: Tom Slansky, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky, Arthur Levine
Location: Hawthorne College
-
Proof of Vampirism — The photograph provides apparent proof that Arthur is a vampire. Characters: Tom Slansky, Arthur Levine
Location: Hawthorne College
-
The First Vampire Attack — Chris and others confront Arthur, attempting to expose or kill him. Characters: Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky, Arthur Levine
Location: Hawthorne College
-
Sunlight Fails — Reflected sunlight fails to kill Arthur, who easily overpowers the attackers. Characters: Arthur Levine, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky
Location: Hawthorne College
-
Arthur Promises Restraint — Arthur promises he will not bite Chris because his personal problems prevent him from doing so. Characters: Arthur Levine, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky
Location: Hawthorne College
The Party Stake Operation
The reported total of twenty-nine victims alarms those planning against Arthur. At a college party, they isolate Arthur and Chris for a direct staking attempt, but the excerpt ends before the result.
Key Events
-
Twenty-Nine Victims — Arthur's apparent violence against twenty-nine victims alarms those planning against him. Characters: Arthur Levine, Tom Slansky, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky
Location: Hawthorne College
-
The Party Trap — Tom and others arrange for Arthur and Chris to be isolated at a college party. Characters: Tom Slansky, Arthur Levine, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky
Location: College party
-
Chris Remains Unaware — Arthur remains emotionally conflicted, while Chris does not know the full danger surrounding her. Characters: Arthur Levine, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky
Location: College party
-
The Stake Operation Begins — The planned party attack begins, but the excerpt ends before its outcome is shown. Characters: Tom Slansky, Arthur Levine, Chris Keller / Mary Lipinsky
Location: College party