Claudia and Louis' relationship was by far one of the most complex aspects of Interview with a Vampire. The interactions between Claudia and Louis are highly disturbing and weirdly captivating at the same time. The relationship arouses a moral issue. You have the mind of woman trapped within the body of this eternally young five year old. This little woman is caught between two men who are incredibly older than her physically and mentally (at least for the beginning of her life). Putting the thought of Claudia's physical appearance aside, Claudia and Louis' relationship is beautiful and sensual. However, as soon as the reality of her physique is highlighted, as well as the father-daughter connection Louis feels for her, it is difficult not to feel conflicted over this incestuous relationship that also screams pedophilia.
Claudia is highly fetishized by Louis as the descriptions of her body, clothing, mannerisms, and movements are all incredibly detailed and described as if she is a pubescent woman. Louis speaks of her as a woman but treats her like a child and cares for her as a child, which is why he comes off so strongly as a pedophile. Claudia's frustration over her cursed form makes her a very sympathetic character. The woman inside her is very prominent in everything she does, but it is depressing to see her caught in such an infantile state for all eternity.
The fetishization of children is a recurring motif in this novel. Children seem to be such a strong temptation for the vampires, as if their thirst for the sweet blood of a human is increased tenfold by the sight of a helpless child. It must be the inherent innocence a child possesses, their purity and naivety to the world that draws the kiss of death from a vampire to them. Claudia's innocence is completely torn from her and manipulated by the vampires. The corruption of a being so pure ultimately brings destruction upon the predator. The most obvious example of this destruction is when Lestat perishes (albeit temporarily) to the feast on the boys drunk on absinthe.
What is sort of ironic about this scene is the fact that Claudia, a child as well, brought this destruction upon Lestat. So consumed by the hatred for being turned into a vampire by Lestat, and for her innocence and purity being corrupted, she deceives Lestat with the temptation of innocence.
Your analysis of Claudia is really interesting. I also felt strange about her relationship with Louis as it was tinted with pedophilia. Beyond that, the fetishization of children that you mentioned is definitely an interesting point. Their fascination with corrupting the innocent and deciding the fate of someone else feels like it ties in also.
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