In Anne Rice's "The Vampire Lestat," the character embodies a suave and enigmatic persona, referring to himself as "Gentleman Death." This title suggests a sophisticated approach to mortality, where he arrives in style, adorned in silk and lace, presenting death not as a grim end but as an elegant, almost alluring force. The imagery evokes a sense of inevitable fate, where candles—symbols of life—are extinguished, conveying the fragility and transience of existence.

Moreover, the phrase "the canker in the heart of the rose" deepens this metaphor by highlighting the dark undercurrents within beauty and life. The rose, typically a symbol of love and passion, contains a flaw—a canker—that represents decay and impermanence. This juxtaposition underscores the interplay between beauty and darkness, illustrating how even the most cherished aspects of life are shadowed by the reality of death and deterioration.