Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith is a work of fiction that explores Abraham Lincoln's life. It’s told by a narrator who has Lincoln’s secret diary, which tells about the 16th president's obsession as a vampire slayer at a time when vampires were secretly gaining political power and preying on slaves. The novel follows the historical outline of Lincoln's life, with added vampire elements.
In Lincoln’s own words, as recorded in his secret diaries, this novel recounts Lincoln’s lifelong obsession with hunting vampires. This started because of Lincoln seeking revenge on Jack Barts, the man who killed his mother when Lincoln was just a boy, over a debt Lincoln’s father, Thomas Lincoln, owed Barts. When Lincoln finds Barts, he discovers that Barts is a vampire, which introduces Lincoln to the world of vampires.
The narrator in the novel receives Lincoln's secret diaries from a man named Henry, who asks him to reveal Lincoln’s untold secrets to the world, which is the foundation of this novel. The narrator is never identified. It could be Lincoln, it could be Thomas, it could be Henry, or it could be the author Seth Grahame-Smith, we may never know. Abraham Lincoln is the main character in this novel. The journey of Lincoln’s life from childhood through his assassination as the 16th president, life as a vampire hunter, and the roles he played to shape history as it is today. Nancy Hanks Lincoln was Lincoln’s mother. Nancy and Lincoln had a very special mother and son bond. It was the details of Nancy’s death that led to Lincoln discovering vampires and his obsession for revenge on Barts. Lincoln’s father was Thomas Lincoln. One night, Thomas got drunk while sitting by a fire pit, Thomas called Lincoln outside to talk, Thomas told Lincoln a story about the two times he had seen a vampire in his life. The first time was when Thomas’s father (Lincoln’s grandfather, also named Abraham) was killed while working on his farm, the second time was the night Thomas’s wife (Lincoln’s mother) died. This story is what introduced Lincoln to vampires. Jack Barts is the man who killed Lincoln’s mother because of Thomas making a deal with Brats. The deal was, Thomas asked Brats for a loan of $75, the amount he needed to buy a plow, a draft horse, seeds, and everything needed to grow wheat. Barts agreed, his conditions were that Thomas would return with $90 no later than September 1st. The problem was that the summer of 1818 was the hottest and driest, and when July came, Thomas didn’t have enough money to pay Brats. Thomas sent Brats a letter saying that he couldn’t pay the money, so Brats said he would take it in other ways. Brats did so by killing Nancy, which made Lincoln want revenge. Lincoln’s stepmother was Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln. Sarah gave Lincoln his first journal, which led to Lincoln writing down his secrets about vampire hunting in journals. Sarah also taught Lincoln to read, she had Lincoln reading pages from the Bible every night before bed. Henry Sturges was a good vampire who saved Lincoln’s life. Henry taught Lincoln things about vampires, how to fight them, how to use their speed against them, and how Lincoln shouldn’t judge vampires all equally. Mary Todd was Lincoln’s wife. The novel does not explore their relationship in depth, Mary is pictured as a supportive wife who stands by Lincoln in his battle against vampires and the forces of darkness.
This novel is set in the 19th century in the United States, during the time before and during the American Civil War. It tells the story of Abraham Lincoln as a vampire hunter, mixing real history with fiction. Important locations in the book include Indiana, where Lincoln lives with his family, and Springfield, Illinois, where he learns to hunt vampires and meets Mary Todd. The story also mentions New Orleans, home to powerful vampires, and the Ohio River, where Lincoln encounters another vampire.
Restate the key points & reinforce the thesis statement
1 answer
Thesis Statement: "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" by Seth Grahame-Smith creatively reimagines the life of Abraham Lincoln, intertwining historical events with a fictional narrative that portrays him as a vampire hunter, revealing a hidden struggle against vampire forces that prey on society.
Key Points:
Narrative Structure: The story is framed through the lens of an anonymous narrator who possesses Lincoln's secret diaries, which document the 16th president's obsession with slaying vampires—a hidden aspect of his life that coincides with significant historical events.
Lincoln’s Motivation: Lincoln's quest for vengeance against vampires is sparked by the traumatic death of his mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, at the hands of Jack Barts, a vampire. This personal tragedy drives Lincoln to seek revenge and uncover the truth about the supernatural threat.
Family Influence: The novel delves into Lincoln's relationships with his family, particularly his mother and stepmother, Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln, who plays a pivotal role in nurturing his intelligence and creativity through journaling and education. His father's stories about encountering vampires also shape Lincoln's understanding of the dark forces at play.
Henry Sturges: A key character in Lincoln's vampire-hunting journey is Henry Sturges, a benevolent vampire who saves Lincoln's life and imparts crucial knowledge about vampires. Henry challenges Lincoln to view vampires as individuals, rather than as mere monsters, emphasizing the complexity of good and evil.
Mary Todd Lincoln: While their relationship is not the primary focus, Mary Todd is depicted as a supportive partner, standing by Lincoln's side as he navigates his dual role as a leader and a vampire hunter.
Historical Context: The setting of the novel spans the 19th century, particularly before and during the American Civil War, linking Lincoln's fight against both vampires and societal injustices, such as slavery. Key locations include Indiana, Springfield, and New Orleans, each significant to Lincoln's journey as a vampire hunter.
Themes of Power and Prejudice: The narrative explores themes of predation and power dynamics, with vampires secretly gaining influence within society and preying on marginalized individuals, paralleling real historical issues of exploitation and inequality.
In conclusion, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" serves as a unique retelling of Lincoln's life that merges fact and fantasy, presenting him not only as a pivotal historical figure but also as a determined hunter confronting the dark forces that threaten his world and the values he champions.
