Vampires

This week's reading, Interview With a Vampire, was all about relationships; how beings are attached to one another and how they become that way. It's clear in the beginning of the reading that there's a relationship between Lestat and Louis. As the story progresses, it becomes very clear that this is not a healthy relationship. Lestat seemed to have some kind of power over Louis and it's pretty obvious that power was one of love. Throughout the entire reading, all Louis wanted was the approval of Lestat and to feel the love being reciprocated but that never happened. Lestat knew that he had complete control over Louis and he barely showed signs that he cared. There was a small hint of love when Lestat brought the little girl back to the hotel room and gave her to Louis but he immediately undid the good deed when he decided to take the little girl as his own, right in front of Louis. It was a very selfish thing of Lestat to do and Louis was heartbroken. He didn't understand why Lestat would do that to him. 

This situation has many characteristics that are similar to an abusive relationship. Louis thinks that Lestat loves him because he sometimes does nice things for him and when Lestat is selfish or mean to Louis, he writes it off as nothing and says things like "But he says he loves me." and "He's not like this all the time, honest." Louis is too dependent and too insecure about himself to realize that Lestat is no good for him and that he can do better. Louis believes that without Lestat, he wouldn't be able to live. This is much like an abusive relationship because Lestat knows. He knows that Louis is dependent on him yet he continues with the relationship anyway. He feeds off of Louis's insecurities to fuel his own selfish desires. He does just enough for Louis that he can "get away with" doing all of these mean things - manipulation at its finest.