Self-Determination

Self-determination is a guiding theme of Spirit Bound. Since the vampire society is divided into those who prey on humans and those who do not, there exists a strong moral compulsion of the part of the peace-loving Dhampirs and Moroi to remain non-violent towards the unsuspecting humans whose world they co-inhabit. Whereas, the violent, sadistic Strigoi not only kill for blood but sport as well, free as they are from any sense of the need to self-police their actions. In this way, the author is demonstrating that the difference between supposed good and bad lies in the self-determination one either chooses to accept or flagrantly reject.

Rose exemplifies a character in a crisis point personally because she cannot control her own worst instincts, even as she remains an essentially loyal, moral person. She hears the call to self-determination, but is unable to actually embody the need because she...