Hinckle Von Vampire-ton
The title is just a fun pun and is not related to the rest of the post. The only close connection I can make is the fact that HVV and vampires are immortal (at least, according to Twilight), and that they both consume unconventional meals (snakes/crocodile eggs and blood, respectively). Enjoy!
Hinckle Von Vampton. Our typical villain. Ishmael Reed describes him as looking like "the 4th Horseman of the Apocalypse" whose name is literally "Death" (55). Creepy. He has lived for many years and has amassed quite a bit of power. For example, we see him enter the building of the New York Sun newspaper and the managing editor suddenly resigns after a meeting with him. Hmm. Additionally, in his meeting with Hierophant I, Hinckle lays out all of his demands and expects them to be met if he is to comply with the Wallflower Order. Hierophant agrees, too. In this sense, Hinckle is able to get what he wants.
But Hinckle also isn't your generic villain. Reed messes with him a lot. Usually, when you imagine a villain, you always feel afraid for the other characters when in their presence. Oh no, they're going to get hurt or maybe even die! And some do (like Abdul). But Hinckle is comedically weak. Take, for example, the scene with Reverend Jefferson (Woodrow Wilson Jefferson's father) and how he throws Hinckle aside like a rag doll. This scene was especially funny. These minor events make Hinckle seem less like a villain and more of a freaky puppet that has come alive.
He's also socially weak. Hinckle is old. Like, really, old. So you'd imagine that during all of these years he would have found a way to be at the very top of the power structure. But he isn't. Why is that? Why does he work for the Wallflower Order instead of leading it? Well, he's not strong. He came from humble origins as a little librarian and never progressed. Sure, he found a way to live for hundreds of years, but this ability has not helped him in gaining leverage against everyone. Let's look at the gathering at Irvington-on-Hudson. When PaPa LaBas and Black Herman enter to arrest Hinckle and "Safecracker" Gould, they both freeze. It is only when the Guianese art critic speaks up that they say something. Additionally, after the story about the Book of Thoth, Hinckle and "Safecracker" are both "sweating profusely" (191). Once again, the Guianese art critic speaks before Hinckle gives a retort. He is powerless to stop his arrest. You'd imagine a villain to use every measure possible to fight off the heroes before surrendering, but Hinckle does not.
Hinckle Von Vampton is an amusing character in Mumbo Jumbo. He has barely any valuable power and is chronically afraid. His character makes me want to punch him in the face, but I also find it funny how Reed deals with him throughout the novel. Like many other conventions we typically see in novels, Reed throws the generic villain out the window and provides a new look to this role, which in turn adds a bit more flavor to his story.
I think you characterization of Vampton is perfect- he doesn't instill fear, he just sort of vaguely reminds you of the classic weasely sort of henchman trope, or maybe a Scooby Doo villain. I agree that the weakness of his character is very purposefully included by Reed, and serves to undermine the Atonist agenda. Reed actually very rarely portrays any of the Atonists as serious or actually dangerous. All crucial things to remember when analyzing his writing style. Great post.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I really like your use of evidence in the 4th paragraph. It reinforces your claim well. I also agree that every time there are other characters around Hinkle I always get nervous that something bad is gonna happen.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you about how Hinckle Von Vampton is not your typical villain. Between his sometimes-competent plans and his incredible stupidity, Vampton is quite comedic and strange. I also never quite thought about how someone of his age should probably have amassed more power than he did, but you're right about how he seems to be stuck in his librarian role.
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about characterizing Hampton villain, so this was interesting to read. He does seem very much like a typical villain at first, but as you pointed out, he's actually quite weak and not as powerful as he'd like to think. Rather than a real evil grandmaster, he seems more like a comedic villain, kind of like Plankton from Spongebob. Great post!
ReplyDeleteOne could also say that HVV's weak characteristics allude to a sense of white fragility. He's trying to act tough but we all know he's really a selfish coward who's afraid of upsetting his boss. In a similar vein, many white people might feel uncomfortable with the racism embedded in our country's system but not do anything about it (or possibly even take on an active role in reinforcing the Wallflower Order). Great post!
ReplyDeleteI agree that this portrayal of Vampton is Reed trying to break out of the standards set for fictional villains. In a way, his portrayal of Vampton comes across as much more real and relatable to our modern world. Specifically, Vampton could be considered similar to many politicians in the modern day. He has similar qualities on a superficial level and an ideological level, so maybe Reed was trying to get us to reflect on our current situation when we read his book. Good post!
ReplyDeleteYour analysis on Vamptom is really insightful! Reed characterizes him as a weak villain whose plans are always thwarted due to his lack of confidence and power. Analyzing his role in the Wallflower Order as only a worker despite living through *centuries* highlights that he is quite decrepit. He seems like no ordinary villain due to these attributes, which Reed carefully chooses so he can cross more literary boundaries. Also, Vampire-ton is a very clever pun!
ReplyDeleteI like your title, and I think it makes a good point, as well: there is definitely something "vampiric" about HVV's relation to Harlem Renaissance culture. He "fights" it not by direct attack but by sucking the figurative "blood" out of it by undermining it from within. If we take Von Vampton to be a figure for Carl Van Vechten, the white "patron of the arts" who promoted HR artists and also took liberties to represent the culture in his own art, then Reed is suggesting that such "critics" and "patrons" also have a vampiric relation to the culture they champion and at times appropriate.
ReplyDeleteHinckle von Vampton is such a funny character to me because of he is simply so useless. I think the when Reed puts him in the book he is there for comedic effect despite being the main villain. I think this is what gives his character such a cartoonish feel. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteHi Vraj, I loved your post and I think your title is very funny. I think your descriptions and observations of Hinckle Von Vampton are spot on, and I agree that he is a great character. He is a very unordinary antagonist, but that is what makes him unique. It can also be argued that he provides a sense of comic relief at times. As a reader, you wonder how can this dude be hundreds of years old but not have a grasp on culture?
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