Vampires....
A touchy subject, and why is that? I personally love vampires. Vampire stories, movies games! I, in fact have my own series of vampire-related comics. But my love of vampires now-a-days is looked down upon! Because of one factor that screwed up the entire genre unfortunately, a couple years ago: Twilight. I don't want to say I hate the Twilight series (in fact it's an interesting interpretation, terrible characters, but interesting), I just hate what it's done to my favorite genre. Even during our class discussion, the two guys that spoke both said they hated vampire stuff, but upon further interrogation, we found that they did in fact enjoy vampires, but they lumped the genre with 'Twilight' vampires.
About Interview with a Vampire, I started reading it a while ago, never finished and was ecstatic to see it on the reading list. I suppose I have to admit my main attraction to the book is just that, attraction. Even just the scene where Lestat turns Louis is completely sexual and very homoerotic I might add- I remember the line in particular where Lestat 'held him like a lover'. Then she (Anne Rice) plays with Louis and Armand's relationship as the book progresses. Someone in class today also mentioned Lestat's need for companionship. I did notice he was very desperate with this fact, he did not want to let go of Louis. He would constantly say that Louis couldn't survive without him, binding Louis too him for as long as he can. Lestat both treated Louis like a son and perhaps a potential lover (I may be reading into that with my own fantasies) or a companion. He would teach him, try and get him to give in to his desires, accept himself and even convinced him to turn another human. Their relationship is deep; especially since Louis ends up absolutely hating him, but really cannot leave him, for they are connected deeper then family in a way.
Vampires, even since the beginning, with Dracula or Nosforatu have been, even slightly, sexual.
Why are women attracted to vampires if they are pretty much trying to kill you? First, I believe it is because they are predators. Predators are made to attract pray (the venus fly trap is colorful to attract flies, as in the Nosforatu movie). They are purposely seductive, attractive and have powers of enticement, all to lure you in and eat you. I also believe it's the danger. As I said in class, I theorize that women are attracted to the 'bad guy' because if the bad guy likes them back, they feel important. The 'monster' the 'evil' that hates all loves nothing, suddenly falls for you, this must mean you are special! You made the great evil fall for you. Maybe he doesn't love you back? Maybe you are tired of typical romance in everyday life, and turn to the fantastical and exciting. So, in a way, loving 'a monster' is an escape from reality, a thrill. The vampire represents bestial urges, which are basically sexual urges. All humans have sexual urges they must satisfy.
I was very engaged with all of today's discussion, but one part in particular I enjoyed. The discussion on Anne Rice's approach to homosexuality, or as you put it, post-gender identity. I completely agree, it does not matter what gender you are, love is love, and she does very well to display that in this book.
