Armand Through the Centuries

So, Armand falls in love with Louis because he represents a new age. He is a tie to that century...

Armand claims that Louis represents his century in his desire to find evil in the world, and in himself. So long as there is evil to hate, he is satisfied. Or, perhaps, he longs to find evil in the world because he does not want to admit that he still loathes himself and his life.

And then you have the contrast between Louis's desire to be deemed evil, for that's the real reason he tells his story, and the reporter's quick love for the life Louis has lead. The reporter hears the horrors of Louis's life and wants it for himself! Anything, anything to avoid the simple life. He wants /some/ sort of passion, romance and drama in his life.

But really, aren't both of those ideals so very present in our society? Have we inherrited the obsessions and disorders of our past, or is Armand just dumb?

And if there is some twisted ideal like that for every century, what is ours?