THE MAIDEN and THE PREDATOR
a thread on the mythic character archetypes found in amc’s immortal universe, following rowan mayfair and louis de pointe du lac
This thread is based on the character archetypes researched, identified and summarized by author KM Weiland.
Rowan and Louis both begin their arcs in a shadow form of their maiden archetype. Rowan as a Damsel and Louis as a Vixen. These archetypes are not gendered, they simply represent the life stage the characters are in.
A Damsel is avoiding the consequences of their dependency on others.
A Vixen is selling their integrity to obtain or maintain security.
During the Maiden Arc, the protagonist is typically faced by two antagonistic forces, which represent their outer conflict and inner conflict. The Authority and The Predator. The specifics of Rowan and Louis’s stories will determine which is which.
THE AUTHORITY
Despite all Rowan’s achievements in life, her Too-Good Mother’s choice to hide truths about her identity and power cause Rowan to be ill equipped for the Real World. This then evolves into an abstract concept of “institution”, that being the Talamasca.
She has many Authority Figures: Cortland the Naive Father who “sacrifices” the Maiden. Carlotta the Devouring Mother.
Thus, she becomes dependant on everyone else to save her, to have the answers, and runs from Authority figure to Authority figure for protection.
For Louis, this antagonistic archetype is also best identified as abstract, because it is the “system” with which he as a gay black man in 1910s New Orleans must contend, in order to provide for his family.
This is the root of where his shadow archetype of a vixen originates. This is “Louis the Pimp”.
Louis shamefully suppresses who he truly is, and sacrifices his own integrity to do disreputable work that will make money. It even leads him toward aggressive behaviour he feels guilt about.
This also doesn’t stop after he becomes a vampire, as he is still trying to exist in his old world.
THE PREDATOR
The typical depictions of The Predator are seen in “The Seven Wives of Bluebeard” and “The Girl Without Hands.”
Lasher’s key in the show was directly influenced by Bluebeard. Meanwhile Lestat “breaking” Louis is reminiscent of the rejected Devil cutting off the girl’s hands.
The Predator always wants a willing bride/groom, and is initially persuasive and seductive, typically presenting themselves as having the answers the Protagonist needs to get away from their old restrictive world.
Lestat’s alter proposal, and Lasher’s thrall are both these scenes.
This is the point where we have to talk about Death and the Maiden and how the Predator can be redeemed as the previous excerpt describes.
To do so the Predator must set themselves apart from the Death figure who consumes the Maiden or the Monster ultimately vanquished.
Both Lasher and Lestat bridal carry Rowan and Louis, crossing thresholds to their lairs, and toward beds for consummation of union. These are characteristics of raptus and themes compatible with Death and the Maiden or Hades and Persephone.
But will these Maidens remain in the underworld?
Louis remains in the underworld for a significant amount of time, succumbing often to devolutions in his character arc.
But eventually with the help of his Protector, his anima—Claudia—Louis is able to slay the beast. Just as the bride is helped by her sister(s) to defeat Bluebeard.
Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés talks about the ending of the Bluebeard tale and how his death allows him to be dismembered, incubated, and reborn—redeemed.
We see how Lestat is similarly disposed of. Literally thrown in the trash. Then given time to slowly gestate and reemerge from his coffin.
This is followed by that acknowledgment Weiland talks about. Lestat takes ownership for his behaviour, and does not continue to try and posses Louis through manipulations and control, instead lets him grow. Live his life. Thus allowing for Lestat’s redemption as the Predator.
Rowan herself embodies Hel the Goddess of Life and Death, her magic being something to kill or to heal. She literally incubates and facilitates Lasher’s rebirth.
Reborn Lasher also deals with the evil he has done/his nature as a “Beast” which makes him the redeemable Predator or Animal Husband.
In the finale of S1 Rowan finished her transitions from Maiden to Hero. Whilst Louis stays a Vixen half of Season One, and becomes a Damsel toward the final half before becoming a Hero.
Both are Heroes by the end of their first seasons.
In both cases, these Maidens transition out of this Arc through the death-rebirth of their Predator antagonist.
The Predator representing their inner conflict.
Whilst their Authority Figures are outer conflicts, which control the societal dynamics suppressing Rowan and Louis.
FIN.
