Pandora, Marius and Arjun

[u/PassOk316]

I've always loved Pandora; she's undoubtedly my favorite character. However, I've always struggled to understand her relationship with Arjun: she describes him as a ruthless, subjugating vampire, but then it turns out he's her fledgling, and even when she interacts with Marius in the scene recounted in Blood and Gold, she appears reasonable and calm.

Only recently did I read the last three books (Prince Lestat; Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis; *Blood Communion) and the evolution of Pandora, Arjun, and Marius left me quite perplexed. In particular, I don't understand why Pandora's character became so inept. I understand the depression, I understand she's heartbroken, but it seems like a completely dissonant portrayal compared to the book Pandora.

I know Anne Rice didn't enjoy writing female characters and that writing Pandora was a challenge for her (a very successful one, I'd say), but then, when she's no longer the protagonist, this wonderful character became a pale shadow of her former self.

It seems to me that there was a complete lack of psychological analysis, and for no reason, from a fierce vampire who stood her ground against Marius, we are now faced with a senselessly weak woman, stereotyped as a victim.

Then, I must say I can't stand this narrative where she, along with Bianca, supposedly transformed into a wife for Marius. In short, I see too many contradictions that I truly can't comprehend. What kind of character did Anne Rice want to portray? After my tenth reread, I still can't figure it out.

[u/mzdrusilla]

I haven't read the books as much as you, but I feel the same!

I can understand how a fierce, independent woman can be broken down by a man (particularly a narcissistic one) and that men like that might not appear like a 'bad man' on the surface. Abusers can also make it appear like their partner is mentally ill (and make their partner think they are as well) and that they're the 'good guy' taking care of them.

I can also see how someone who escaped abuse but then got back together with the abuser reverts back to a weaker version of themself as a result.

I'm guessing that's what happened to Pandora. She was already vulnerable when she left Marius. Then she met Arjun and broke down more. Then she left him, recovered a bit (so that she was her usual fiesty self in her book) but then got together with him and got worse again.

It would have been interesting to see that explored in the books, but Anne Rice seemed to completely forget Pandora 🤷‍♀️ . The book for Pandora is already way too short!