Armand Character Analysis in Interview with the Vampire

Armand is the unofficial leader of the vampires living at the Théâtre des Vampires. Armand’s origins trace back to the Renaissance, and his demeanor reflects a blend of old-world charm and a stoic, detached manner. Armand becomes fascinated with Louis because Louis possesses a human-like vitality that Armand has never seen in a vampire. Selfishly, Armand tries to distance Louis from Claudia so he can keep Louis to himself. However, in killing Claudia, Armand also kills the part of the Louis that he so dearly values.

Armand Quotes in Interview with the Vampire

The Interview with the Vampire quotes below are all either spoken by Armand or refer to Armand. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

“‘How could we be the children of Satan?’ he asked. ‘Do you believe that Satan made this world around you?’

“‘No, I believe that God made it, if anyone made it. But He also must have made Satan, and I want to know if we are his children!’

“‘Exactly, and consequently if you believe God made Satan, you must realize that all Satan’s power comes from God and that Satan is simply God’s child, and that we are God’s children also. There are no children of Satan, really.’”

Related Characters: Louis/The Vampire (speaker), Armand (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 234

Explanation and Analysis:

This dialogue between Louis and Armand directly confronts the question of whether he’s inherently evil, which Louis has been grappling with since becoming a vampire. By questioning the origin of the world, Armand prompts Louis to consider the broader context of creation and the source of their existence. His viewpoint challenges the simplistic notion of inherent evil and emphasizes the interconnectedness of all creation. The idea that “Satan’s power comes from God” implies that evil is not an independent force, but rather is a part of the divine plan. This perspective aligns with certain theological views that see evil as Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Di

“‘Then God does not exist…you have no knowledge of His existence?’

“‘None,’ he said.

“‘No knowledge!’ I said it again, unafraid of my simplicity, my miserable human pain.

“‘None.’

“‘And no vampire here has discourse with God or with the devil!’

“‘No vampire that I’ve ever known,’ he said, musing, the fire dancing in his eyes. ‘And as far as I know today, after four hundred years, I am the oldest living vampire in the world.’”

Related Characters: Louis/The Vampire (speaker), Armand (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 238

Explanation and Analysis:

Here, Louis continues his theological conversation with Armand as he desperately tries to make sense of his existence. Armand’s claim of being “the oldest living vampire in the world” after four hundred years adds weight to his statements, as even living for so long he has found no proof of God. Because of his religious upbringing, Louis was always able to take solace in the notion of God, even if he was not a particularly religious man. However, becoming a vampire stripped him of his many preconceptions about the nature of the universe. Still, he always maintained that the existence Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Volupt

“The doorway you see leads to me, now. To your coming to live with me as I am. I am evil with infinite gradations and without guilt.”

Related Characters: Armand (speaker), Louis/The Vampire

Page Number and Citation: 285

Explanation and Analysis:

In this passage, Armand is speaking to Louis about the nature of his existence, which is distinct from any other vampire Louis has met. Armand presents a metaphorical and literal gateway to a different existence, one that he embodies fully and without reservation. This invitation is not just to a physical space but to a philosophical and existential state of being. Armand’s words suggests that he embraces his vampiric nature, something Louis has always struggled to do. The phrase “evil with infinite gradations” implies a nuanced understanding of morality. Armand recognizes that evil has layers, acknowledging that it is not Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit

“‘I never laughed at you,’ he said. ‘I cannot afford to laugh at you. It is through you that I can save myself from the despair which I’ve described to you as our death. It is through you that I must make my link with this nineteenth century and come to understand it in a way that will revitalize me, which I so desperately need. It is for you that I’ve been waiting at the Théâtre des Vampires. If I knew a mortal of that sensitivity, that pain, that focus, I would make him a vampire in an instant.”

Related Characters: Armand (speaker), Louis/The Vampire

Page Number and Citation: 285-286

Explanation and Analysis:

Here, Armand articulates his profound need for connection and understanding in a rapidly changing world. His words to Louis reveal that he faces an existential crisis of his own, whose focus is modernization. For Armand, Louis ability to retain his humanity and vitality coincides with his ability to stay modern. Because Louis is in touch with his human side, he keeps up with humanity’s progress, something a vampire as old as Armand struggles to do. As Armand explains, vampires can die when they give in to their loneliness and their despair, and Louis represents a potential salvation from this existential Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt

“I hate myself. And it seemed, lulled half to sleep as I was so often by their conversation—Claudia whispering of killing and speed and vampire craft, Madeleine bent over her singing needle—it seemed then the only emotion of which I was still capable: hatred of self. I love them. I hate them. I do not care if they are there. Claudia puts her hands on my hair as if she wants to tell me with the old familiarity that her heart’s at peace. I do not care. And there is the apparition of Armand, that power, that heartbreaking clarity. Beyond a glass, it seems. And taking Claudia’s playful hand, I understand for the first time in my life what she feels when she forgives me for being myself whom she says she hates and loves: she feels almost nothing.”

Related Characters: Louis/The Vampire (speaker), Madeleine, Armand, Claudia

Page Number and Citation: 276-277

Explanation and Analysis:

In this quote, Louis delves into the depths of his self-loathing after turning Madeleine into a vampire. His self-hatred, intensified by the constant exposure to Claudia’s and Madeleine’s behaviors, is worse than ever before. At this point, he cannot even bring himself to feel guilty, as his capacity for self-loathing eclipses all other emotions. Louis’s moment of understanding when taking Claudia’s hand is significant. He realizes that Claudia’s forgiveness, despite her professed hatred and love for him, is rooted in emotional numbness—“she feels almost nothing.” This revelation is a poignant reflection of Louis’s own state. It suggests that the intensity Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus volupt

Armand Character Timeline in Interview with the Vampire

The timeline below shows where the character Armand appears in Interview with the Vampire. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...As the conflict ends, Louis sees a new vampire crouched above him. This new vampire, Armand, assures Louis that he is safe. Armand gives Louis a card, inviting him to a... (full context)

Violence, Desire, and Eroticism Theme Icon

...hunger. Although the show is a powerful experience, its sadism bothers him. After the performance, Armand invites Louis and Claudia to follow him. They descend into a subterranean ballroom decorated with... (full context)

Armand brings Louis a human boy and offers him as a meal. The boy, unafraid, exposes... (full context)

Armand then invites Louis and Claudia to follow him deeper underground. There, Armand asks about Louis... (full context)

Louis retreats from Armand’s room, seeking solace in the dark passages of the theater, overwhelmed by confusion and a... (full context)

...sharing the intimate details of his past with anyone else. Their conversation is interrupted when Armand arrives, carrying Claudia. Armand warns Louis that he should never tell the other vampires about... (full context)

Louis follows Armand back into the ballroom, where the other vampires are gathered. He feels a strong connection... (full context)

...laughs off Santiago’s insinuation. Shortly after, Louis and Claudia take their leave. Before they go, Armand tells Louis that he is welcome to come back any time. (full context)

Back at the hotel, Claudia talks to Louis about what transpired between herself and Armand when Louis was not around. She claims Armand put her into some sort of trance,... (full context)

The next night, Louis leaves Claudia and returns to the theater, convinced that Armand can be trusted. He waits until the theater is empty and is let in by... (full context)

Louis asks Armand if he can help him, as he can tell that the other vampires look to... (full context)

...the dark Paris streets, Louis reflects on his love for Claudia and his longing for Armand. He lets the desire for the kill rise within him, seeking solace in the hunt.... (full context)

...that Louis turn Madeleine into a vampire, arguing that she needs Madeleine to survive, as Armand is taking Louis from her. Louis is torn. He can tell that Claudia intensely loves... (full context)

Louis also reflects on his feelings for Armand, realizing that his love for him is complicated by the changes he has undergone. He... (full context)

...burning down the townhouse in New Orleans with Lestat still inside. As the shop burns, Armand appears and invites Louis to follow him. Eventually, they arrive at an ancient mansion. Armand... (full context)

Then, Louis and Armand have an in-depth conversation about how vampires die. Armand explains that vampires eventually get sick... (full context)

Additionally, Armand admits he influenced Louis to make Madeleine a vampire, believing it would free Louis to... (full context)

...the room overwhelms Louis, who notes that it is different from the enchanting presence of Armand in his mansion. Louis sits in a chair, hands on his temples, and then Claudia... (full context)

...Claudia says is true, implying that he does intend to leave her to be with Armand. In response, Claudia puts her arms around his neck, and he buries his face in... (full context)

...He and Madeleine are dragged to the Théâtre des Vampires, where Louis calls out for Armand. Instead, he finds something even more shocking: Lestat. Lestat is angry that the other vampires... (full context)

...top of the coffin. Struggling against the claustrophobic darkness, Louis clings to the hope that Armand will come and save him. As the coffin is sealed, Louis’s thoughts turn to Claudia.... (full context)

Louis awakens to a distant voice calling his name, which he eventually identifies as Armand’s. Louis panics at first, thinking Armand will not be able to hear him because he... (full context)

Louis refuses to leave without Claudia and rushes back with Armand following. When they reach the ballroom, Celeste stands in the doorway, seemingly indifferent. She calls... (full context)

A wild, consuming cry rises in Louis. He attacks Santiago, but Armand pulls him away into the ballroom. Lestat calls out to Louis as Armand takes him... (full context)

Louis doesn’t wait for Armand’s response. He leaves without looking back, indifferent to whether Armand follows. He retreats to the... (full context)

...owner. Louis moves two small barrels of kerosene to the secret entrance, which leads to Armand’s room. He also carries a scythe with him. Entering through Armand’s door, he finds the... (full context)

...peace. Louis wanders to the Louvre, hoping to find solace in art. Along the way, Armand joins him silently. They walk together until Louis finally decides to speak. Louis asks Armand... (full context)

Armand says that the guards served him, and he discharged them, knowing what Louis was going... (full context)

Louis and Armand leave Paris for Egypt soon after. Before leaving, Louis returns to his rooms at the... (full context)

Together, Armand and Louis travel the world, but Louis always feels a vague desire to return to... (full context)

After, Louis tells Armand about seeing Lestat, and they discuss the meaning of their existence. Armand admits that he... (full context)

In a final desperate attempt to get emotion out of Louis, Armand reveals that he killed Claudia. However, Louis is indifferent to the admission. Eventually, Armand leaves... (full context)

Armand Character Analysis

Armand Quotes in Interview with the Vampire

Part 3, Pages 203-276 Quotes

Part 3, Pages 277-318 Quotes

Armand Character Timeline in Interview with the Vampire