Intelligence. Perception. Compassion. CONTROL…they give her actionable power and she feels empowered when she exhibits them.
“It’s canon that Caroline loves being a vampire”…”So, obviously it wouldn’t make sense for Caroline to choose to be human…”
Me: I totally understand where you’re coming from, but let’s think about this a little more
*puts on schoolteacher hat*
1st EXERCISE: Let’s flesh out that first statement a little bit more. As an exercise, try to DESCRIBE what she loves specifically, without using the actual word vampire.
2nd EXERCISE: Ok let’s dig a little deeper, say more about that first part. And I’m looking more for analysis this time, so here’s some questions to ask yourself, REFLECT, and answer.
Big Question#2: When did it start? 2nd part of that question: While thinking about when this started, try to see if you come up with different thoughts or ways to describe what she specifically “loved”, or let’s not limit it to that phrase, how about ‘what made her new vampire life more preferable’ than her old.
Big Question #3: What issues did she face in ssn1 and what core need(s)/feelings did she struggle with, prior to becoming a vamp?: (x)
Big Question #4: How did becoming a vampire assist with #3?
Big Questions #4b: Whatever answer(s) you just gave for #4…now consider this…Was it ONLY physiologically being a vampire per se, or did other things/situations change around her that impacted her ability to succeed? What about personal traits–if they grew or were given opportunity to shine, are they somehow now tied to her physiology or her experience?
#4c: Over the last several years, which strengths have we most seen her and others rely on–and she herself pride herself on: physical? or otherwise? (e.g., intellectual, emotional)?
Final Questions: As the years have gone on, has there been a change in the conditions that existed prior to becoming a vampire, such that, were she to become human again, the same things that she felt were lacking, the same standing in her relationships, the same treatment, would also return?: (x)
You’ve probably got a good deal of more nuanced analysis, having taking the time to break down all the pieces. Has Caroline ever done the same or does she just belittle and dismiss her self/experience prior to becoming a vampire, outright? Thinking about psychology and traumas, doesn’t that complete rejection seem more like a REACTION to circumstances….i.e., Caroline’s views on this have LONG needed to be examined, nuanced, and challenged, not just accepted cause it seems positive on the surface: (x)
Conclusion: “Ultimately, Caroline’s journey would be to look in the mirror and see herself a little more clearly, re-assess, reDEFINE her ‘super’ powers–what really made her successful in her new life. She may be suprised to find the threads trace back to traits she ALREADY POSSESSED, that she BROUGHT WITH HER into her vampire life…” (x)
P.S. I really just don’t feel like doing the meta (so I’m trying put the bug in y’alls ear to think about it differently, and say it more succinctly than me probably anyway) because I’ve spent the last 4 years doing it over and over lol: (x)
(READ: practically every season from end of ssn4 on lol, ‘Oh SHE should (be the one to) turn human bc it would be a great “REALIZATION” of true strengths type story, where she contend w/ the blind fear of going backwards to 1) really process why she rejects so outright her human self and link it to vulnerability (read: what she went through, and being kept in the dark in ssn1) and 2) to find that some practical adjustments might have to be made but what makes her successful, what she in fact loves about herself, and has been shown to be quite confident about over and over, INCREASINGLY in fact, all those most pertinent strengths not only remain, but a number were already there BEFORE she became a vamp (as seen in ssn1), she just GREW INTO HERSELF.’(and got pos reinforcement prev so lacking, and was able to protect herself with KNOWLEDGE(x) once her death bought her entry into the club of those in the know [x])
P.S. Has Caroline REALLY utilized her vampirism in her life in major ways that she would be unwilling to give up for love now (or ever tbh)? to give up for her children cause hello, how whatwaseventheplantherelol? to give up for…the life she has consistently been shown to be heading towards and is consistent w/ her personality traits and goals…
For example, she could have compelled herself through school–AND YET, she studies, goes to class, simply engages like a human w/ a little step up. It makes sense–think of her personality, how would she prove BEST or better than if she was using a cheat? She is competitive as a source of self-challenge and thus can feel pride empowerment in her success….
