Vampires, Humanity, & Homoeroticism

There were two themes of note in Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire; it's questions about morality as an immortal being, and the intense homoeroticism throughout. Louis' frustration with his existence as a vampire is palpable, almost like Frankenstein's monster but replace the rage with melancholy. Louis feels the deepest sadness and confusion when trying to explain his existence. And it is just that, he bothers Lestat in an attempt to justify his existence. He later learns that maybe his confusion was misdirected because Lestat, too, knew nothing of being a vampire. The most fascinating thing about Louis' exploration with Claudia is that he's so passive. It's as though he's being pulled along by a string. He desires answers, but he doesn't really want to actively get them. It's less of a heroic exploration; to find other vampires, and more of an "escort mission" by Claudia. Remember, Claudia is in the form of a 5 year-old. She's put up with Louis lamenting about humanity for 70 years.

Louis wanted to leave Lestat but couldn't, he was the reason Claudia was turned into a vampire and why Lestat was "killed" by Claudia. Again, Louis has proved to be extremely passive. Claudia was forced into this miserable existence under such odd circumstances it almost plays as satire. Now, Claudia's morality is also in question. We know that Louis cannot let go of his humanity: he feels for humans and chooses to feed off of animals and wants to know what to do now that he's a vampire. (Looking back, this is certainly an odd answer to search for. What can you possibly do once you've been turned into a vampire? What answers are there really?) Claudia seems to come to a conclusion about her being sooner than Louis. She tells Louis, "Let the flesh instruct the mind," when talking about finding their vampire brethren and encouraging him to lean into his vampiric ways.

It is subtle, but I believe Claudia grew to loathe Louis. But she relied on him because she was trapped in this helpless body. Still, even 70 years after Louis has been turned, he gets in an argument with Santiago about being a vampire. Louis is disappointed. The group of vampires in France have not given him the answers he seeks, there is no closure. I think when he meets these vampires, he finally realizes that life will continue to go on as usual, and this is not sufficient. Santiago is irritated that Louis is even asking these questions, such as if vampires are children of God or the Devil. At the core, Louis yearns to know if he is evil or not, he is drowning in guilt. He feels guilty for how he treated his brother, he feels guilty for feeding on humans, he feels guilty for making Claudia the way she is. Louis just wants someone to tell him that all is good and he has a purpose. (Armand may be that person for him, and that's why it was so easy for Armand to manipulate Louis.)

However, Louis is instead leaving with more questions and recognizes why Lestat knew nothing. Louis says, "There was nothing to know." And again, we see a theme of the very concept of existing being confusing for all beings. We seek out justifications for it, but there are none. A little nihilistic, sure. In the foreground of this beautiful backdrop of discussions about humanity and morality, lies the intense sexuality of the vampire. And I believe the eroticism in Interview with the Vampire is detailed because of the longing emotions that are produced from all of the misery of being an immortal beast. In modern media, it's assumed that anything to do with vampires will have some innate sexuality to it. But looking into Rice's writing, I feel it goes beyond "let's make vampires sexy, just because." Believe it or not, Louis is lonely. He initially feels intensely for Lestat. Their physical relationship, although brief, is intimately described when Lestat sucks Louis dry on the steps of the plantation. Louis describes Lestat in a loving way, and Alors, the boy interviewing Louis, acknowledges this.

Later, Louis shares similar but more intense feelings of Armand. He gazes upon Armand with such appreciation that there is no doubt Louis is in love with Armand. Their discussion on the tower is an example of this. Even after Armand admits to "glamouring" (thanks, True Blood) Louis into turning Madeleine into a vampire, Louis forgives him. They even believe each other to be "kindred" spirits (read as: lovers), and they agree to run away so that they can grow together. I believe this is because Louis is so forlorn and the very nature of being a vampire requires that one be open to relationships, because guess what? It gets lonely being immortal. Is this not the most homoerotic thing you've ever heard? Rice excellently skates the line when describing their love, however.

Lastly, these feelings are emphasized right before Louis leaves Armand. He sees Lestat and Lestat happily greets him. We get the sense of familiarity bridging relationships no matter what has happened in the past, due to these extenuating circumstances. It is because of the nature of being a vampire, kind of like in Frankenstein. There is a longing, out of necessity, an eternal melancholy accompanied with being a beast. Out of this loneliness, I believe we get the sexualization of vampires and the like.