Themes

My Immortal deals with a number of important, meaningful, adult, and sensitive themes ... in a way that tries to be mature, but fails miserably.

This list is not an endorsement of negative topics. Murder and non-consenting sex are immoral and illegal. Addiction and depression can be overcome. Please, follow your local laws on firearm safety, seek aid if you feel the urge to self harm, and respect people of different social groups, races, religions, sexualities, etc.

Sex and sexuality

This is one of the most important themes in the story, in that all the characters have sex and seem to orgasm quickly. It is usually referred to in strange euphemisms. In the world of My Immortal, spontaneous hook-ups in public are grounds for nothing more than mild annoyance, though some principles will give you a stern talking to in ALL CAPS, especially if they suffer from headaches. However, other professors will ask students for the loan of a "condemn", although lack of protection is never a reason to abstain from sex in the My Immortal universe (even if the mention of AIDS implies STDs do exist).

Bisexuality and homosexuality

Essentially every goff male in the story is bisexual, presumably because the author is into such things, which would also explain the numerous Author's Notes talking about how hot gay guys are. It's apparently very gross for girls to be lesbians, (or have erections) though. Go figure.

At one point, Draco claims that both he and Ebony are bisexual, but Ebony's bisexuality is hard to prove. There are some statements that could be interpreted as Ebony being attracted to women. For example, she describes Willow and B'loody Mary with poetic language and sometimes comments on the attractiveness of other females. However, this could just be:

• Tara attempting to look like a good writer by using poetic terms to describe her characters
• Ebony talking highly of her friends, which is common
• (In Willow's case) Tara trying to get Raven back on her side after they fell out, by praising her character.

It is, however, very evident that Ebony is madly in love with one female, herself.

Tara also uses the concept of Tom Rid being 'bisezual' to justify his interest in fashion and makeup. This makes it seem as if Tara believes that all bisexuals are into that kind of thing.

When Ebony meets Hedwig, she somehow knows he is bi before even being introduced.

Tara also wants Draco and Harry to get together in the series, accusing J. K. Rowling (the author of Harry Potter) of being "hamophobic" if they don't. Even though them having done so in My Immortal is a big source of conflict.

However, actual same-sex romance or even sex almost never happens in the story. The focus is usually on Ebony and Draco. When it isn't, it's usually either public and between two characters who are portrayed in a negative light (Snap/Loopin), there's still a girl involved (the orgy near the end of the story), or possibly rape (Snap/Draco), although there is one example of a same-sex pairing that is considered attractive (Voldemort/Hedwig). The author once insulted her flamers as "gay f**s". Also, Ebony, the author's self-insert, tells Draco that he probably has "AIDs" after she realizes that he once dated Vampire, which seems relatively homophobic.

Pedophilia

The author's own words sum this up best: "c if dis chapter is srupid!1111 it delz with rly sris issus! sp c 4 urself if itz ztupid." True to form, Tara treats the serious, horrific issue of pedophilia very cautiously... by using it as a measurement of how creepy people are. There are apparently no repercussions for sexually harassing 17-year-old girls, however, unless you count that girl pretending to have sent you to "Abkhazian".

Specifically, in the chapter where pedophilia is first brought up, Snape and Lupin watch Ebony taking a bath, with Snape filming her and Lupin "masticating" (which was meant to be "masturbating") to the video. Ebony accused them of being pedophiles, and later, when Snape asked for condoms, she made a snide remark about him having a six-year-old girlfriend. In actuality, sixteen is the age of consent in the UK, and in the Harry Potter universe, seventeen is considered an adult, so while Snape and Lupin were certainly perverts, they were not actually pedophiles.

It seems as though Tara got criticism for bringing up pedophilia as she tried to defend herself by saying she wanted to touch on an issue that was common in American schools (even though Hogwarts is in Scotland and Ebony, so probably Tara, thinks it's in England, both of which are quite a distance away from America) and making Snaketail sixteen so that he's not a "pedofile" for crushing on Ebony.

Bondage and sadism

There is a lot of imagery to do with this theme in the story, despite the author's apparent age.

Many of the characters are stated to be sadists. It isn't explicitly described as sexual. However, it may possibly be due to the presumed orgy in one of the later chapters, wherein the characters take turns performing torture curses on Loopin in the midst of the "action". Like bisexuality, sadism is probably just part of being "goffik".

Non-consensual bondage crops up from time to time, and it is carried out by villains. This is somewhat contradictory; when the preps tie up and torture people, it's bad, but, when the goffs do it, it's justified.

Ebony has a thing for corsets and leather, which are associated with bondage, but the relationship isn't really stated. The clothes appear to be more to do with a "goffik" image. Self-harm doesn't appear to have a sexual aspect either, despite the re-occurring imagery and theme of BDSM throughout the series.

It can only be assumed that the theme is in My Immortal as part of a goffik image and perhaps to appeal to the author.

Psychology

Depression

Depression is the most represented ailment in My Immortal. It entails the characters doing things in a depressed or suicidal way, such as getting out of bed. It is also represented by people's appearances, often eyes. Most goffs in My Immortal are stated to have depression.

Surprisingly, a lot of the characters said to have it display actual traits of clinical depression. These include having thoughts of self-harm and suicide, being irritable, being tearful, feeling continuously low/not enjoying life, among others.

However, Tara's presentation of clinical depression is still flawed as it appears to be part of being goffik. None of the afflicted characters take medication or attempt to get professional help, even if some of them have actually attempted suicide. Admittedly, a lot of sufferers find it hard to get help, but the some of the cast of My Immortal just seem to have the label of "depression" to make them seem "gothic" and edgy.

To clarify, the main cast's depression can have an effect on the plot, even when it comes to minor events. However, characters such as B'loody Mary, Diabolo, Dracula, and so on are said to have depression because of their backstories, but this is entirely needless as none of them have any role in the story other than following around Ebony. These characters, as well as more important characters, may have depression as part of being "real goffs"; a lot of the cast "got depressed and became gothic".

Humorously, Tara argues that Ebony cannot be a Mary Sue because she has depression.

Evony isn’t a Marie Sue ok she isn’t perfect SHES A SATANITS! n she has problemz shes depressed 4 godz sake!

However, a lot of Mary Sues are angsty, which is how depression is represented in My Immortal, to the extent where these characters have their own category of Mary Sue: an Angsty Sue or Sympathetic Sue.

Overall, while the portrayal of depression in My Immortal is surprisingly accurate sometimes, it is still hard to take seriously due to the nature of the story. Also, it is probably used just to make the characters goffik.

Addiction

Addiction is briefly touched upon through the character of Profesor Sinister, who suffers from an addiction to Volxemortserum, as an allegory for alcohol. But, other than a heartfelt acknowledgement from Sinister, her dependence on the potion is never truly concerning to the other characters, or to the story itself, only given brief references throughout the rest of the fic.

Unlike realistic alcoholism or substance abuse, Sinistor never develops any negative symptoms as a direct result of her addiction. A cure for said addiction is also claimed to be easily available and obtainable, when in real life it would likely take months, or even years, of rehabilitation to overcome one. The inclusion of this issue was likely an insensitive, flaccid attempt by Tara to sound deep by imitating social commentary.

Self-harm

The idea of self-harm is represented here by the slitting of wrists. Just about every character in the story does this, but since just about every character is a vampire, this otherwise suicidal act of depression becomes a way to get a quick snack of blood before class. Otherwise, it comes across as a social activity performed by the protagonists.

Self-harm is treated with little sensitivity, as can be assumed. Ebony slits her wrists on multiple occasions and the narration portrays it as almost routine, or at least insignificant.

I started to cry and weep. I took a razor and started to slit my wrists. I drank the blood all depressed. Then I looked at my black GC watch and noticed it was time to go to Biology class.

The sensitivity in this handling of a serious issues for today's teens is nothing less than what one would expect from an author of Tara's caliber.

Suicide

Despite the enormous amount of wrist-slitting in the story, only one relevant character (Draco) is able to come close to succeeding at killing himself. It turns out he was just teleported away from Hogwarts by Vlodemort, though. There are no lasting repercussions, emotional scars, or relationship issues from this traumatic event. Occasionally, off-screen characters (various students' fathers, former XBlakXTearX lead singer) are reported to have been able to successfully commit suicide, although they are only given a passing mention.

Murder

Numerous murders are committed by many characters throughout the story, but no consequences seem to come up. This scene is a prime example:

“Kul.” I raised my eye suggestingly. And den………. he tok of my cloves sexily and we started 2 make out. I tok of his shit. He had six-pak justr lik Gerard Way!11 We frenched.

“Xcuze me but u r going 2 have 2 leave!111” shooted da lady behind us she was a prep.

“Fuk u!11” I said. Suddenly…………………. I attaked her suking all her blood.

“Noooooo!11” she screamed. All the preps in da theater screamed but everyone else crapped koz Satan and I loked so cute 2gether. Satan and I started to walk outside.

Firearms

Various firearms are mentioned but not named specifically. Vlodemort gives Enoby a gun to kill Hairy, then later uses a gun, or the gun Volxemort gave her, to shoot Snap and Loopin "a gazillion times". Harry and Ebory shoot Snaketail in Volemprts lair. Most of the main characters summon guns in a final showdown with Volzemort anding in "a latin stand off".

Like the flying car, firearms are only seen a handful of times in Harry Potter fandom, and is only mentioned once as being in the hands of a wizard. Also, Voldemort using any Muggle technology would be unlikely to say the least.

Religion

Jenny holding a book with a pentagram, a symbol of those who worship Stan.

A minor theme.

Satanism

Every "goff" in the story has either always been Satanist or converted to Satanism. Satanism appears to be treated as part of the characters' goffik identity, thus making it more of a fashion statement than an actual religion. It is often represented by the use of pentagrams and the number 666 on the characters' clothing, vehicles, personal belongings, and so on. Even though Tara seems to enjoy "Stanism" as she calls it, she describes it as an imperfection when trying to claim Ebony can't be a Mary Sue.

Christianity

A C-R-O-S-S, symbol of a Christin/Christina

The story also seems to deal with Christianity in a somewhat negative way. Opposed to Satanism, Christianity seems to be a part of a "preppy" identity. However, it doesn't play as big a role in the characters' identities as being a Satanist, usually being a casual mention. Examples of this include Snap being Christian to serve as a greater enemy to the main cast.

and da reson snap dosent lik harry now is coz hes christian and vampire is a satanist!

In addition, Ebony seems to associate it with being a prep.

“OMFG wtf/ Are you giving into the mainstream?” I asked. “So I guess ur a prep or a Christina or what now?”

Society

Preps vs. Goffs

Tara doesn't seem to provide intelligent social commentary in My Immortal, at least not intentionally. However, her way of dealing with the emo/"goff"/punk subcultures are interesting.

Firstly, Ebony, who is a blatant self-insert of Tara, considers shopping anywhere other than Hot Topic as being preppy (although, this is before she discovers Tom Rid's store, which is presumably very similar).

B’Loody Mairy Nodded ENREGeticALLlY. “Omfg totally lets go shopping.”

“In Hot Topic, right?” I asked, already getting out my spshcial Hot Topic Loiyalty carde.

“No.” My head snaped up.

‘WHAT?” my head spuin. I could not believe it. “B’Loody Mary are u a PREP?”

In addition, she considers being truly goffik as listening to certain bands, such as Good Charlotte or My Chemical Romance. For example:

“And he wuz such a fuking poser 2!11” said Lucian. “He didn’t even realy no hu GC were until I told him.”

Also, Ebony treats people who don't dress in goffik clothing and share her lifestyle rather badly, exemplified by Britney.

This is rather humorous as the whole goff identity and its requirements heavily resemble mainstream society, or the "prep" identity, as it is known as in My Immortal. Just like wearing certain brands, such as Nike, would make you fashionable in standard western society, wearing Hot Topic products makes you goffik in Tara's creation. "Preps" and 'posers' in My Immortal are treated with contempt; this mirrors how some people treat people who aren't quite like them, such as the emo subculture, badly in the mainstream.

In short, the characters who reject the mainstream create their own convention which is ironically almost exactly like the one they rebel against. In an ideal world, we could probably pass My Immortal off as a clever critique on the hypocrisy of non-standard society, especially if the troll theory is to be believed.

Other

Tara sometimes takes a jab at society in other ways.

soz 4 soz 4 sayin alzhimers is dongerous but datz da mysteries opinin koz sosiety basically sux.

It's pretty much what you'd expect. She doesn't really expand on her opinions.