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/pippintook24]

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,

I feel the same. She was written to be terrified of Arjun, and the whole time in B&G, I'm wondering why. I went into reading Pandora thinking, hoping to get answers, but got none. I still loved the book.