Carmilla
Carmilla is one of the first vampires that we see in literature who is a woman. Her story written during a era where repressed desire was a prevalent cultural norm. Vampires are often seen and used as symbolic way to portray this repression. As glamorous, seductive and often wealthy creatures the vampire embodies the desires of humanity. In the story written by Le Fanu he is able to attack several areas of repressed desire through our heroine Laura. Laura, our main protagonist, is meant to be revered as “everyperson- all men and women in every era who overdevelop the conscious.” in the sense that her desires are not constricted within an era or class, her desires for companionship, exploration of her sexuality, and amusement lies within all of us.
However, Le Fanu’s choice to have women leading his story should not be lost on the reader as women throughout history have been the most repressed in society. Predominantly repressed thoughts pertaining to sexuality have been heavily scrutinized by society claiming these desires to be taboo and sinful. Alongside the conservative viewpoint that women were frail and innocent. These cultural norms gaining traction during the Victorian era in which the story was written. While Laura portrays the repressed wishes of humanity Carmilla fully embodies them. Carmilla acts as a tool to show the perils of female lust and desire, portraying such inclinations as dangerous, obsessive, and manipulative.
The mythos surrounding vampirism has often been used as a metaphor for sexuality by taking advantage of “the imagery of fluid exchange and life creation”. Utilizing these dark creatures as a way to warn of the perils that come alongside sexuality, in Carmilla the prevailing moral being the focus around homosexuality and it’s percived immorality. Throughout the story Carmilla is seen taking away male influence from Lauras life with her companionship allowing Laura to gain a sense of independence in herself and a dependence on Carmilla. A dependence that quickly turns sour as Carmilla becomes moody and irrational towards Laura. Carmilla’s frequent outburst shocking Laura in submission. Carmilla’s mystique becomes overbearing and her coldness towards others influncecs the reader to begin to suspect that she may be morally toxic. Despite Carmilla’s less than favorable traits she is also immensely affectionate and caring towards Larua. Carmilla casually subverts gender roles held for women in society, she is strong, has outburst and willfully enters a loving, albeit toxic, relationship with another woman. Carmillas need for blood and outburst imply the danger of being with a woman considered “morally unjust” she is meant to be a seductress show casing the horror of same-sex love.
What are your opinions about Carmilla? Do you think it is just to see heterosexual relationships as impervious to obsessive loving or do you see Carmilla as a convenient portrayal of the dangers of all love?
