Lestat's Lament

          Immortality is a treasure that so many in both fictionalized and actual history have sought after, and yet for one particular man, this gift is his greatest curse. Throughout the beginning of the novel "The Body Thief," Lestat is shown constantly reminiscing about the idea of being a mortal man being something that he would give anything to acquire once more. However once he receives it, he can't go a full day without hating his new mortal form. He makes several comments to his friend David as to how even toddlers, "fall down, and scream almost constantly, they hate being human! They know already that its some sort of dirty trick." Lestat admits to his own foolishness, telling as to how he had forgot how frail and vulnerable to the world mortal men were.

         The main conflict of "The Body Thief" appears almost entirely due to Lestat's own lack of hubris, not only does he refuse to listen to the arguments of his close friends, but constantly feels as though he deserves more than what he has. He looks upon whatever he doesn't have with "rose tinted glasses," reminiscing how great whatever he doesn't have is, whether it be the sensitivities of being human or the power of being a vampire. Lestat doesn't ever seem to be satisfied with any limitations while also never thinking of the consequences of his actions.

         There are multiple possible sources of Lestat's constant lust for greater states of being, one obvious source being his near immortal life combined with his fantastical powers and massive wealth taking out almost all conflict in his life. On top of all of these, Lestat has lost multiple companions throughout his long life, one of which being his adopted daughter Claudia, whose visage constantly visits him in nightmarish fashion to remind him of his failures. This torture of his past is even further escalated when one considers Lestat is without immortal companions, with friends like David not wanting immortality or possible love interests, (such as the nurse introduced later in the novel) being terrified of supernatural beings. Lestat is constantly alone, with no real driving motivation to continue forward in life and haunted by his own memories; such an unforgiving combination truly paints why Lestat would sacrifice whatever he has for the prospect of an improved life; however slim the actual possibility of such might be.