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Violent Affection: Romanticized Violence in Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire

Joustra, Igrain LU (2025) ENGK03 20251
English Studies
Abstract
Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire (1976) reshaped the vampire genre
by combining Gothic horror with BDSM elements. The novel explores the
tension between aesthetics and ethics, where violence is presented as both
intimate and seductive. Key relationships, such as between Louis and
Lestat, show power dynamics defined by submission and control. These
dynamics are expressed through vivid, sensual language, adding emotional
depth to the story. Rice’s portrayal of violence reflects themes from her
earlier BDSM fiction, where pain and pleasure are linked to identity and
guilt. The novel shifts vampire fiction from traditional horror to emotional
and erotic complexity. A central theme is audience complicity, where both
... (More)
Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire (1976) reshaped the vampire genre
by combining Gothic horror with BDSM elements. The novel explores the
tension between aesthetics and ethics, where violence is presented as both
intimate and seductive. Key relationships, such as between Louis and
Lestat, show power dynamics defined by submission and control. These
dynamics are expressed through vivid, sensual language, adding emotional
depth to the story. Rice’s portrayal of violence reflects themes from her
earlier BDSM fiction, where pain and pleasure are linked to identity and
guilt. The novel shifts vampire fiction from traditional horror to emotional
and erotic complexity. A central theme is audience complicity, where both
the characters and readers become part of the violent spectacle. They
romanticize or overlook the true cost of violence. By integrating BDSM into
mainstream fiction, Rice paved the way for other works to explore similar
themes. Her influence is seen in how vampires are portrayed in literature
and popular culture. Interview with the Vampire continues to shape the
genre, challenging traditional views of vampires and violence (Less)
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author
Joustra, Igrain LU
supervisor
organization
course
ENGK03 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire, Gothic literature, Vampire fiction, Contemporary Gothic, Modern Gothic novel, Horror literature, Aestheticization of violence, Violence and eroticism, Power and submission, Voyeurism, Theatricality and violence, Gothic spectacle, Non-normative sexuality, Queer Gothic, Gender and sexuality, BDSM in literature, Surveillance and performance, The uncanny, Gothic affect, Psychoanalysis and horror, Trauma and fantasy, Literary adaptation and cinema, Freud and the uncanny, Edmund Burke and the sublime, Ames on vampire narratives.
language
English
id
9204560
date added to LUP
2025-07-07 09:22:10
date last changed
2025-07-07 09:22:10
@misc{9204560,
  abstract     = {{Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire (1976) reshaped the vampire genre 
by combining Gothic horror with BDSM elements. The novel explores the 
tension between aesthetics and ethics, where violence is presented as both 
intimate and seductive. Key relationships, such as between Louis and 
Lestat, show power dynamics defined by submission and control. These 
dynamics are expressed through vivid, sensual language, adding emotional 
depth to the story. Rice’s portrayal of violence reflects themes from her 
earlier BDSM fiction, where pain and pleasure are linked to identity and 
guilt. The novel shifts vampire fiction from traditional horror to emotional 
and erotic complexity. A central theme is audience complicity, where both 
the characters and readers become part of the violent spectacle. They 
romanticize or overlook the true cost of violence. By integrating BDSM into 
mainstream fiction, Rice paved the way for other works to explore similar 
themes. Her influence is seen in how vampires are portrayed in literature 
and popular culture. Interview with the Vampire continues to shape the 
genre, challenging traditional views of vampires and violence}},
  author       = {{Joustra, Igrain}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Violent Affection: Romanticized Violence in Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}