Vampires of Literature

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that protagonist vampires in all traditions differ from other mythical supernatural beings in their resemblance to humans; Anne Rice's Lestat De Lioncourt possesses human qualities such as a spirit and a mind in different proportions than Bram Stoker's old Dracula. The author points out that the Count is not freed by immortality but imprisoned by it; therefore he has no companions but those unfortunates who find themselves like rodents in a mousetrap in the dingy abysses that he calls home; he would never take a nun as a lover as does Lestat De Lioncourt. The paper relates that the true fans of horror no longer want to be frightened by the mere fantasy of the fearsome as Count Dracula; they want to be scared to their very core by a protagonist vampire that resemble themselves such as Lestat De Lioncourt.

From the Paper:

"Lestat, also known as 'the brat prince,' is endowed with an unusual wealth of talents and is the most passionate of Anne Rice's vampires by far. However, he and the rest of Rice's vampires can all be killed in the same ways. A stake through the heart or a crucifix won't do a thing to these nearly indestructible beings. In fact, as Louie once said in "Interview with the Vampire," they are "actually quite fond of looking at crucifixes." Decapitation only delays resurrection, regardless of how the remains are scattered. The only two ways to kill Rice's vampires are by fire or by somehow placing them in the sun (which would cause them to ignite into flames, thus making this death a mere variation of the expiration by fire). "

More papers on Vampires of Literature:

• Analytical Essay # 4156 : "The Theme of Vampirism in Poe's Ligeias"
• Analytical Essay # 65709 : "The Vampire and Gothic Literature"
• Analytical Essay # 16582 : "The Precedents Set by John Polidori's "The Vampyre"

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