Amaryllis at the Fair · Character

Old Flamma

A revolutionary neighbour who detests the Pamments on principle, and whose household takes open delight in Amaryllis's disgrace before the old aristocrat.

supporting

Also known as Alere Flamma, Alere, Flamma, the Alere Flamma, foolish Alere

First appearance: ii

As a supporting figure in Amaryllis at the Fair, Old Flamma is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Old Flamma in ii Book page

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Old Flamma was once in business with the Idens and hates Grandfather Iden for his veneration of the aristocratic, medieval Pamments. His family — 'revolutionary Flamma' — celebrates Amaryllis's small rebellion as a triumph, and their glee gives the girl a rare morning of being petted by both parents at once. Flamma's grudge against the Pamments sharpens the novel's portrait of a countryside divided between grovelling and resentment.

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The fuller portrait of Old Flamma sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Old Flamma in ii

Character Web

11 connections

A slice of how Old Flamma sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Extended community and relatives
Protagonist
Iden family core

+6 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because Raleigh experiences a profound emotional and psychological peak…

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Relationships

Amaryllis Iden
friendship · positive
Amaryllis shares a friendly, teasing bond with Old Flamma, who is a local character and… How this plays out →
Pa
friendship · positive
Amaryllis Iden
friendship · positive
Amaryllis shares a friendly, teasing bond with Old Flamma, who is a local character and… How this plays out →
Pa
friendship · positive

Amaryllis Iden
Amaryllis shares a friendly, teasing bond with Old Flamma, who is a local character and confidant.
Pa
Old Flamma and Pa are old friends, often drinking and reminiscing together despite their differing temperaments.
Amaryllis Iden
Amaryllis shares a friendly, teasing bond with Old Flamma, who is a local character and confidant.
Pa
Old Flamma and Pa are old friends, often drinking and reminiscing together despite their differing temperaments.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Old Flamma in ii

In the story

Old Flamma appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IX
Old Flamma, Mrs. Iden's father, dies in London, prompting the trip to the funeral and theatre.
XI
The House of Flamma is referenced as the source of the Lamp emblem on the books; the Flamma family is described as nervous, excitable, and talented but flawed.
XXV
Arrives as a visitor from London, carrying an old carpetbag.
XXVI
Pale from drink and nervous strain; his hands shake but he can still draw delicate lines.
XXVII
Alere Flamma is the central figure of the chapter, depicted as a multi-talented artist, engraver, and printer who works in his shirtsleeves, drinks stout, and smokes on the sly. He is a man of many contradictions: a gentleman shaken to pieces, a dreamer, a republican, and a lover of wild flowers.
XXVIII
Alere Flamma is depicted as inherently truthful, rejecting artificiality in art. He lives simply without studio props, mentors Amaryllis, and is sought after by nobility yet remains in Fleet Street, lacking ambition and caring little for money.
XXIX
Alere Flamma is the central figure of the chapter, depicted as a charitable drunkard who gives money to the poor in Fleet Street, including starving women, ragged children, and drunkards' wives. He is described as shaky and unable to leave Fleet Street, as his mind must be fed by the intellectual atmosphere.
Alere Flamma's Retreat to Coombe Oaks
Alere Flamma is the central figure, a kind-hearted man who gives away his money and cares for the unfortunate, and who retreats to Coombe Oaks to restore his health with ale.
XXXI
Sings old German songs and recites Latin verses after drinking Goliath ale, reflecting on his own health experiments.
XXXIII
Smokes and sips Goliath ale in the summerhouse, sings a song about the sun.

Chapter companion notes

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See Old Flamma in ii