Carmilla By Sheridan Le Fanu (1872) A lesbian criticism Daniela Flores 6-A Sheridan Le Fanu • Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu was an Irish writer of ghost stories and mystery novels, celebrated for his ability to evoke the ominous atmosphere of a haunted house. Born Aug. 28, 1814, Dublin, Ire.— Died Feb. 7, 1873, Dublin. A little bit about the story… • Narrated by a teenage girl named Laura • For years she has lived alone with her father and is terribly lonely. • She is looking forward to a visit from a girl her own age, but is disappointed when her friend’s uncle, General Spielsdorf, sends a bizarre letter which tells of his niece’s unexpected death. • Laura’s loneliness is ended when a carriage overturns outside her castle. • Carmilla, slightly injured. • Carmilla and Laura become great friends. Main characters Carmilla • Also known as Mircalla and Millarca • Vampire from an old aristocratic family • Beautiful young woman • Antagonist Laura • Protagonist and narrator • Adolescent victim of Carmilla Carmilla to Laura -“You are mine, you shall be mine, you and I are one forever.” - “I have been in love with no one, and never shall," she whispered, "unless it should be with you." Lesbianism “I have been in love with no one, and never shall," she whispered, "unless it should be with you." How beautiful she looked in the moonlight! Shy and strange was the look with which she quickly hid her face in my neck and hair, with tumultuous sighs, that seemed almost to sob, and pressed in mine a hand that trembled. Her soft cheek was glowing against mine. "Darling, darling," she murmured, "I live in you; and you would die for me, I love you so." I started from her. She was gazing on me with eyes from which all fire, all meaning had flown, and a face colorless and apathetic. "Is there a chill in the air, dear?" she said drowsily. "I almost shiver; have I been dreaming? Let us come in. Come; come; come in.” Conclusion • Le Fanu’s presentation of the character allure was so well executed that readers couldn’t help but finding themselves seduced. And, with just cause. No one has seen a character like Carmilla before, whose sensuality was a key to her presentation as her savagery. Rather than shun what she represented, people were drawn to it, and a cultural obsession followed. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2020). Sheridan Le Fanu. June, 2020, from Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Website: https://www.britannica.com/biography/SheridanLe-Fanu Unknown. (Unknown). Carmilla Quotes. June, 2020, from goodreads. Website: https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/47015-carmilla GammaRay. (2018). The Real Inspiration Behind Dracula: Carmilla. June, 2020, from YouTube. Website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqfjV-ewZ2A&t=168s Sheridan Le Fanu. (1872). Carmilla. Isle of Man: In a Glass Darkly.
