# Old Flamma — Amaryllis at the Fair character guide

> Old Flamma in Amaryllis at the Fair by Richard Jefferies.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0005-ii

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Amaryllis Iden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/characters/amaryllis_iden)

_friendship_

Amaryllis shares a friendly, teasing bond with Old Flamma, who is a local character and confidant.

### [Pa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/characters/pa)

_friendship_

Old Flamma and Pa are old friends, often drinking and reminiscing together despite their differing temperaments.

### [Amaryllis Iden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/characters/amaryllis_iden)

_friendship_

Amaryllis shares a friendly, teasing bond with Old Flamma, who is a local character and confidant.

### [Pa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/characters/pa)

_friendship_

Old Flamma and Pa are old friends, often drinking and reminiscing together despite their differing temperaments.

## In the story

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/chapters/ix)

Old Flamma, Mrs. Iden's father, dies in London, prompting the trip to the funeral and theatre.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/chapters/xxv)

Arrives as a visitor from London, carrying an old carpetbag.

### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/chapters/xxvi)

Pale from drink and nervous strain; his hands shake but he can still draw delicate lines.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/chapters/xxx)

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/chapters/xxxi)

Sings old German songs and recites Latin verses after drinking Goliath ale, reflecting on his own health experiments.

### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Smokes and sips Goliath ale in the summerhouse, sings a song about the sun.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/characters/old_flamma
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/characters