Fiona Chen, Period 7, 2/6/23

 Fiona Chen

Period 7 

2/6/2023

Modern Mythology

Literacy & Learning

Write about your thoughts regarding any of the fiction or nonfiction covered in class.

Reflect on any new information you have learned in English class by considering how that learning influences your critical perception.

How is what you’re learning applied to any other classes/the world around you?

We have just started reading “Interview with The Vampire” and I find it intriguing because I’ve only learned about them from the media and different types of stories. We have been exposed to so many different predetermined notions about not only the appearance but also the character of vampires and their way of life. As a result of their secretive and mysterious nature, they are usually active at night, which may sound similar to bats. We often associate vampires with bats, nocturnal and pictured with red eyes. So far reading about Louis’ experiences on his journey to becoming a vampire has been interesting, as he was sheltered for most of his childhood but made a sudden jump to choosing to be free as a vampire. Even though we can interpret him as now being more free and able to do whatever he wants with the time he has, we can question to what extent that is. Vampires are associated negatively, with lust, sex, and loneliness.

It was eye opening to see that even the more minor details could show what kind of character Louis is. For example, the choice of the title in referring to him as “the vampire” instead of just “a vampire” goes to show how important he is to the boy he is being interviewed by. It singles out Louis as the vampire he will ever get to hear their side of the story from, and (to the boy) acts as almost a figurehead of the vampire population, speaking on behalf of them. Louis represents the image of a vampire, the real one, and helps us and the boy reshape our image of a stereotypical vampire. Referring to the boy as a “boy” despite his age helps us understand the situation of the vampire. After living for so long and most of it in isolation, he chose someone who was young in his eyes to be interviewed by, for a more genuine reaction and willingness to listen.

Vampires’ image of lust and sin can be compared to a variety of ideas and things in the real world. In Louis’ story, he described that for him to become a vampire and continue living, he has to prey on innocent human passerby. This taps into how in the current economy, you often have to bring others down in order to bring yourself up. This also reminded me of “survival of the fittest” where the animals weaker often do not make it to have offspring, and only those with the best traits can pass it down to the next generation. They fight for prey and only one can have it, which relates back to how you have to take from others to benefit yourself and human sacrifice to vampires.