# Love and Obsession in The Room in the Dragon Volant

> Theme guide for The Room in the Dragon Volant by J. Sheridan Le Fanu.

The protagonist's immediate, intense infatuation with the Countess drives him into a reckless and dangerous adventure, illustrating how romantic obsession can cloud judgment and lead to vulnerability.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Room in the Dragon Volant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/the-room-in-the-dragon-volant): The narrator's thoughts are consumed by the Countess, indicating an obsessive infatuation.
- [I: On the Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/i-on-the-road): The narrator is immediately captivated by the lady's appearance and voice, following her carriage and sneaking into her room to gaze at her.
- [II: The Innyard of the Belle Étoile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/ii-the-innyard-of-the-belle-toile): The narrator's immediate infatuation with the Countess drives him to investigate her identity and circumstances, setting the stage for an obsessive pursuit.
- [III: Death and Love Together Mated](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/iii-death-and-love-together-mated): The narrator's infatuation with the Countess drives his actions, from dressing meticulously to eavesdropping, blurring the line between admiration and obsession.
- [IV: Monsieur Droqville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/iv-monsieur-droqville): The narrator's romantic fantasies about the mysterious lady and his moonlit reverie around her carriage demonstrate his growing infatuation.
- [VII: The White Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/vii-the-white-rose): The white rose given by the Countess symbolizes a secret romantic attachment that drives the narrator's actions.
- [IX: Gossip and Counsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/ix-gossip-and-counsel): The narrator's romantic obsession with the mysterious lady from the Belle Étoile drives his inquiries, while the Count's jealousy hints at possessive love.
- [XIII: The Oracle Tells Me Wonders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/xiii-the-oracle-tells-me-wonders): The narrator's intense emotional reaction to the oracle's words demonstrates his deepening obsession with the Countess.
- [XIV: Mademoiselle de la Vallière](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/xiv-mademoiselle-de-la-valli-re): The narrator's intense desire to meet the Countess drives him to accept a secret rendezvous.
- [XVI: The Parc of the Château de la Carque](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/xvi-the-parc-of-the-ch-teau-de-la-carque): The narrator's intense infatuation with the Countess and her passionate confession of love highlight the theme of romantic obsession.
- [XIX: The Key](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/xix-the-key): The narrator's infatuation drives him to agree to a reckless escape and contemplate murder without hesitation.
- [XXII: Rapture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/xxii-rapture): The narrator's intense passion and willingness to risk everything for the Countess, coupled with his dismissal of potential danger, reflects an obsessive infatuation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/themes/love_and_obsession
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/themes