The Rebellion Against Passivity

Interview with the Vampire

This flow traces Louis’s struggle to act decisively after years of allowing stronger personalities to determine his life.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Submission to Lestat Submission to Lestat from "Interview with the Vampire". Submission to Lestat Dependence Louis accepts Lestat’s practical authority despite distrusting his judgment.

Submission to Lestat from "Interview with the Vampire". Submission to Lestat Dependence Louis accepts Lestat’s practical authority despite distrusting his judgment.

Submission to Lestat Dependence Louis accepts Lestat’s practical authority despite distrusting his judgment. Habit Fear and unfamiliarity make submission seem safer than independence. Pattern The arrangement teaches Louis to confuse endurance with choice.

Failure at Pointe du Lac Failure at Pointe du Lac from "Interview with the Vampire". Failure at Pointe du Lac Hesitation Louis delays confronting Lestat while the household deteriorates. Explosion Fire and flight replace careful moral action.

Failure at Pointe du Lac from "Interview with the Vampire". Failure at Pointe du Lac Hesitation Louis delays confronting Lestat while the household deteriorates. Explosion Fire and flight replace careful moral action.

Failure at Pointe du Lac Hesitation Louis delays confronting Lestat while the household deteriorates. Explosion Fire and flight replace careful moral action. Recognition He begins to see passivity as an active contribution to disaster.

Failure with Claudia Failure with Claudia from "Interview with the Vampire". Failure with Claudia Warning Louis knows Claudia intends to kill Lestat but does not stop her.

Failure with Claudia from "Interview with the Vampire". Failure with Claudia Warning Louis knows Claudia intends to kill Lestat but does not stop her.

Failure with Claudia Warning Louis knows Claudia intends to kill Lestat but does not stop her. Consequence The apparent success of the plot traps him in guilt and fear. Insight His refusal to choose becomes another form of choosing.

Failure in Paris Failure in Paris from "Interview with the Vampire". Failure in Paris Dependence Louis trusts Armand to control the coven. Loss Armand’s passivity permits Claudia’s execution.

Failure in Paris from "Interview with the Vampire". Failure in Paris Dependence Louis trusts Armand to control the coven. Loss Armand’s passivity permits Claudia’s execution.

Failure in Paris Dependence Louis trusts Armand to control the coven. Loss Armand’s passivity permits Claudia’s execution. Reversal Louis finally rejects the role of protected dependent and chooses retaliation.

The Theater Fire The Theater Fire from "Interview with the Vampire". The Theater Fire Decision Louis independently plans the destruction of the Théâtre des Vampires.

The Theater Fire from "Interview with the Vampire". The Theater Fire Decision Louis independently plans the destruction of the Théâtre des Vampires.

The Theater Fire Decision Louis independently plans the destruction of the Théâtre des Vampires. Action He locks the doors, spreads kerosene, and confronts Santiago. Resolution The act is morally compromised but marks his first sustained exercise of will.

the first years after transformation

the final plantation night

the night of Claudia’s plot

the execution of Claudia and Madeleine

the dawn after the execution