Interview with the Vampire (6 pts): A Study on Claudia

     For most children, the idea of getting older is exciting. You can drive your own car, work at your dream job, leave your parents' house, and become a fully functioning member of society. Unfortunately, for Interview with the Vampire's Claudia, this dream would never become a reality, and this trait of hers is what makes her one of the most sympathetic characters of the novel.

    Claudia was turned into a vampire at only 5 years old by Lestat. She was then taken in by Louis and Lestat, and became their daughter. As time went on, she gained academic knowledge through Louis' love of books, and learned the art of the kill through Lestat. Though her mind aged as years went by, she was doomed to remain in the body of a child. It's hard not to feel bad for her when she gets annoyed by Louis constantly treating her like a doll. Imaging being over 60 years old and your parents still coddle you!

    This anger towards her predicament is most certainly a reason why she enjoys killing humans. Part of that is likely Lestat's own teachings, but even he knew there were lines that should not be crossed. For example, when the maids were found dead in the kitchen, Lestat reacted with rage towards Claudia because even he knew that some people should be left alive- especially if they are taking care of their beautiful flat. Claudia's enjoyment of "seducing" people into drinking their blood demonstrates that her resentment of her young body is a hatred that she would bear until her death.

    At one point Claudia even begs Louis to kill her. When Louis refuses to turn Madeleine into a vampire, Claudia lashes out at him, angry that she will never know what it's like to be a full grown woman. She will never watch her body go from a child to a woman, she even laments that she'll never be able to feel a man's touch that isn't in a fatherly fashion. She then asks Louis to kill her, stating that she's frail enough to be crushed like a flower (Rice 206). It's incredibly upsetting to see Claudia reduced to such a state, and knowing that she's immortal and will never get her wish.

    And yet after all that, Claudia's death is very bittersweet. Sure, she's released from her immortality and the body that was holding her back from all her aspirations. But she had just found a new companion in Madeleine, someone who could see her as more than just a child. Maybe a mother-daughter bond would have changed Claudia's perspective on her life. Unfortunately, all that remains is her ashes, and the hope that the afterlife would treat her like the proper lady she should have grown up to be.

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