Carmilla is the concluding story of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu’s horror story collection In a Glass Darkly which was published in 1872. Carmilla does not simply complete this collection but raises the topic of lesbianism and thus conveys the most provocative idea of all preceding texts. Considering the extreme prudery prevailing during the Victorian age, the publication of Carmilla represented a real scandal ignoring the severe, moral restrictions of that time. Women were not understood as sexual beings and moreover, homosexuality was a term people were absolutely ignorant of. An erotic relationship with a partner of the same sex was a thing people could not think or dared not to think of. Among others McCormack states, “We begin with a pious clergyman and end with lesbianism, the offence Queen Victoria found unbelievable.” (McCormack 154). Nevertheless or even because of this, Carmilla is Le Fanu’s best remembered work and considered one of the most influential texts of English vampire literature. It is not without reason that Carmilla served Bram Stoker as an inspiration for his novel Dracula which has been the most popular piece of vampire literature until today. Carmilla is set in Styria with no apparent hint when it takes place. The two protagonists Laura and Carmilla are both young girls whose relationship becomes more and more erotic as the story proceeds. Together with her father and a few servants, Laura lives very isolated in the family’s castle with no surroundings but forest for miles. She is more than happy to have finally found a companion in the beautiful Carmilla. Carmilla who turns out to be a vampire seduces Laura and loftily confesses her love to Laura more than once. While the reader is aware of Carmilla’s nature quite early, Laura ignores the obvious until the very end. Laura has ambiguous feelings for her female lover. On the one hand she feels drawn towards her; on the other hand she has a revulsion against Carmilla’s strange behaviour. During the process of Laura being vampirized, she becomes weaker every day and more and more similar to Carmilla. Laura’s father watches this proceeding sorrowfully without being able to help it.
In the following, I will show that Laura’s devotion to Carmilla exercised through the vampiric act can be read as a female escape from patriarchal chains. The male characters that all play minor roles lose control of the events and are powerless against the unknown enchantment Carmilla radiates.
Table of Contents
- Vampirism as an Expression of Lesbian Sexuality
- Women's Sexual Liberation from Victorian Patriarchy
- Men's Loss of Control
- Carmilla's Take-over
- Carmilla's Roles
- Finally Free or Imprisoned Again?
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla, exploring how the vampire narrative functions as a vehicle for representing female sexual liberation within the constraints of Victorian patriarchal society. The paper examines the subversion of traditional gender roles and the depiction of female desire within a context of societal repression.
- Female Sexuality and Victorian Repression
- Subversion of Patriarchal Power Structures
- Vampirism as a Metaphor for Female Liberation
- Homosocial and Homosexual Relationships in Carmilla
- The Role of Male Characters in the Narrative
Chapter Summaries
Vampirism as an Expression of Lesbian Sexuality: This chapter introduces Carmilla as a groundbreaking text that tackles the taboo subject of lesbianism within the highly restrictive Victorian social context. It highlights the scandalous nature of the story's publication, given the era's extreme prudery and lack of understanding regarding female sexuality and homosexuality. The chapter positions Carmilla as a significant work in English vampire literature, influencing later works such as Bram Stoker's Dracula, and sets the stage for an analysis of the erotic relationship between Laura and Carmilla as a representation of female desire and rebellion against patriarchal norms. The chapter establishes the central argument that the vampire narrative provides a means to explore alternative concepts of femininity and female sexuality within Victorian society.
Women's Sexual Liberation from Victorian Patriarchy: This chapter delves into the portrayal of Victorian womanhood as angelic and virtuous, contrasting it with Carmilla's subversion of this idealized image. It explores the concept of homosocial relationships among women as a tool of patriarchal control, juxtaposing it with the emergence of "the new woman" who sought social, political, and sexual freedom. The chapter analyzes Carmilla and Laura's relationship as a departure from homosociality, showcasing the awakening of Laura's suppressed sexuality through her connection with Carmilla. Crucially, it argues that vampirism serves as a unique means for female characters to express their carnal desires outside the confines of societal expectations and the institution of marriage, representing a path to sexual liberation unavailable to women within Victorian society.
Men's Loss of Control: This section focuses on the disempowerment of male characters in the narrative, particularly Laura's father, who intuitively senses impending misfortune upon Carmilla's arrival. The chapter emphasizes how Carmilla's influence weakens the father's authority and control over Laura, culminating in the father's inability to intervene in the unfolding erotic relationship between Laura and Carmilla. The nameless father, defined solely by his role, symbolizes the marginalization of men in this female-centric narrative. The men's attempts to understand and control the situation through medical explanations are portrayed as futile efforts to maintain traditional gender roles in the face of the women's rebellion. The chapter underscores the men's stigmatization of the lesbian relationship as an illness, further highlighting the patriarchal anxieties surrounding female sexual agency.
Keywords
Victorian literature, Carmilla, Sheridan Le Fanu, lesbian sexuality, vampire, patriarchy, female liberation, gender roles, homosociality, homosexuality, Victorian womanhood, sexual repression.
Sheridan Le Fanu's *Carmilla*: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this academic paper analyzing *Carmilla*?
This paper analyzes Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla, exploring how the vampire narrative functions as a vehicle for representing female sexual liberation within the constraints of Victorian patriarchal society. It examines the subversion of traditional gender roles and the depiction of female desire within a context of societal repression.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of *Carmilla*?
Key themes include female sexuality and Victorian repression, the subversion of patriarchal power structures, vampirism as a metaphor for female liberation, homosocial and homosexual relationships in Carmilla, and the role of male characters in the narrative.
How does the paper interpret vampirism in *Carmilla*?
The paper interprets vampirism as a powerful metaphor for female sexual liberation. It argues that the vampire narrative provides a means to explore alternative concepts of femininity and female sexuality within the restrictive Victorian social context, allowing female characters to express their desires outside societal expectations and the institution of marriage.
What is the significance of the relationship between Laura and Carmilla?
The relationship between Laura and Carmilla is central to the analysis. It is interpreted as a representation of female desire and rebellion against patriarchal norms. Their connection is seen as a departure from the homosocial relationships often imposed on women in Victorian society, showcasing the awakening of Laura's suppressed sexuality.
How are male characters portrayed in the narrative, and what is their significance?
Male characters, particularly Laura's father, are portrayed as disempowered and marginalized. Their attempts to understand and control the situation are presented as futile efforts to maintain traditional gender roles in the face of the women's rebellion. Their inability to intervene highlights the patriarchal anxieties surrounding female sexual agency.
What is the historical context considered in this analysis?
The analysis deeply considers the highly restrictive Victorian social context, its extreme prudery, and lack of understanding regarding female sexuality and homosexuality. This context is crucial in understanding the subversive nature of Carmilla's portrayal of female desire and lesbian relationships.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of chapters focusing on vampirism as an expression of lesbian sexuality; women's sexual liberation from Victorian patriarchy, including sections on men's loss of control and Carmilla's roles; and finally, a chapter pondering whether the female characters ultimately achieve freedom or find themselves imprisoned again.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis of *Carmilla*?
Keywords include Victorian literature, Carmilla, Sheridan Le Fanu, lesbian sexuality, vampire, patriarchy, female liberation, gender roles, homosociality, homosexuality, Victorian womanhood, and sexual repression.
What is the overall objective of this academic paper?
The overall objective is to provide a comprehensive analysis of Carmilla, demonstrating how its vampire narrative serves as a powerful vehicle for exploring female sexual liberation and challenging the restrictive norms of Victorian society.
- Quote paper
- Ilona Gaul (Author), 2004, Women's sexual liberation from victorian patriarchy in Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/79669
