Carmilla the Lesbian Vampire

Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

Carmilla is a novella written by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, a Gothic horror writer from Ireland, and published in 1872 (predating the classic Dracula by Bram Stoker by 25 years). The story is about a young girl named Laura who lives in a remote castle in Styria with her father. One day, a mysterious woman named Carmilla arrives at the castle and befriends Laura. As their relationship deepens, strange things begin to happen, and Laura starts to suspect that Carmilla is not what she seems.

The novella is considered one of the early examples of lesbian vampire literature, and its impact on the genre is significant. Carmilla has been adapted into numerous films, TV shows, and plays, and its influence can be seen in works such as Bram Stoker's Dracula and Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles.

One of the most striking aspects of Carmilla is its depiction of lesbian desire. At the time of its publication, homosexuality was still considered taboo, and the idea of a same-sex relationship was scandalous. Le Fanu's portrayal of Laura's attraction to Carmilla is subtle, but it is clear that Laura is drawn to her new friend in a way that she cannot explain. As the novella progresses, Laura's feelings become more intense, and she finds herself both fascinated and frightened by Carmilla.

Carmilla, on the other hand, is more open about her desires. She flirts with Laura, touches her inappropriately, and talks about their future together as if it is already a foregone conclusion. She also reveals that she has had relationships with other women in the past, and that she is immortal because of her vampiric nature. Carmilla's sexuality is not portrayed as evil or deviant, but rather as an integral part of her character.

The theme of vampirism in Carmilla is also significant. The vampire is a metaphor for the dangers of desire, and Carmilla represents the seductive power of sexuality. As Laura becomes more entangled in Carmilla's web, she begins to lose her own sense of self and becomes more vulnerable to Carmilla's influence. The vampire's bite is a metaphor for sexual intercourse, and it represents the loss of innocence and the corruption of the soul.

Le Fanu's use of setting is also noteworthy. The remote castle in Styria is a perfect backdrop for the story's themes of isolation and darkness. The castle is surrounded by forests and mountains, and its inhabitants are cut off from the outside world. The castle's oppressive atmosphere mirrors Laura's own feelings of fear and uncertainty, and it adds to the sense of unease that permeates the novella.

In conclusion, Carmilla is a landmark work of Gothic horror and a significant example of early lesbian vampire literature. Its depiction of same-sex desire was groundbreaking for its time, and its influence can be seen in countless works of fiction that came after it. The novella's themes of desire, vampirism, and isolation continue to resonate with readers today, and it remains a fascinating and unsettling work of literature.