What is the message of Carmilla?
Carmilla as a character is evocative of female sexuality, but her vampire bite has a broader meaning, as it brings about a loss of innocence, and the transformation from girl to woman. Laura begins the novel leading a largely sheltered life, protected from the harsh realities of the world.
What is the plot of Carmilla?
A carriage accident outside Laura’s home unexpectedly brings a girl of Laura’s age into the family’s care. Her name is Carmilla. Both girls instantly recognise each other from the “dream” they both had when they were young.
Who is the narrator in Carmilla?
In this essay, I will explore the power dynamics at work within Carmilla by examining how Laura, our primary narrator, communicates the events of her past and how subtle ambiguities and contradictions within that narration indicate the subversive possibilities of language itself.
What is the setting of Carmilla?
Carmilla is set in Austria during the late 1800s, and Le Fanu clearly draws upon contemporary issues of the Victorian era. This was a time that was noteworthy for its social and industrial reform, and for the formation and rise of the middle class.
How does Carmilla feel about being a vampire?
Evil Feels Good: Carmilla, although she did not become a vampire of her own free will, obviously fully embraced her vampiric existence. She is, however, not totally without moral reflection, as she tries on several occasions to justify or rationalize her behavior.
What happens at the end of Carmilla?
He has since vowed to find the creature responsible for her death and destroy it. His story completed, the group enters a ruined chapel, where Carmilla appears. The General, shocked, moves to attack her, but she runs away.
How would you describe the character of Laura in Carmilla?
Laura’s personality can be described as frightful, social and extremely caring towards the people around her. As a child, Laura was extremely sheltered by her servants due to a dream she had about a frightening visit from Carmilla when she was about six years old.
How are vampires made in Carmilla?
Early Life. Born Mircalla, Countess Karnstein, in Styria, Austria in 1680, Carmilla lived a wealthy, privileged life with her upper-class parents. At the age of 18, she was murdered at a ball and subsequently resurrected as a vampire by her “mother,” a vampire.
What do female vampires represent?
Equipped with supernatural powers that even outrange the common human’s most definite limit – death – the vampire has been the personification of people’s fears and ignorance. Especially the female vampire, the most original form of this character, personifies the threat of female power to male dominated societies.
How is Carmilla killed?
Born Mircalla, Countess Karnstein, in Styria, Austria in 1680, Carmilla lived a wealthy, privileged life with her upper-class parents. At the age of 18, she was murdered at a ball and subsequently resurrected as a vampire by her “mother,” a vampire.
Who does Carmilla prey on?
She manipulates various noblemen to host her for free in their castles, and preys on their daughters or wards. She also manipulates her victims into trusting her. In one instance, she even encourages Laura to purchase an ineffective anti-vampire charm in order to lull her into a false sense of security.
How did Carmilla influence Dracula?
Most scholars agree that Carmilla heavily influenced Dracula, as elements of the first appear in the latter, though modified or amplified. The aesthetic of the female vampire, for example, is very much the same in both stories. They have rosy cheeks, big eyes, full lips, and almost irresistible sensuality.
How do you think Carmilla feels about Laura?
Carmilla is extremely affectionate towards Laura and appears to be very fond of her. Laura is fond of Carmilla too, for the most part, although she often finds herself both drawn towards Carmilla and repulsed by her at the same time.
Why did Carmilla commit suicide?
While death may not be seen as a win by all, for Carmilla, it was keeping control of her life. She chose to keep herself from being taken out of the world by a man. She chose to end it all of her own will. Her death is the final piece of who she is.
What is the meaning behind vampires?
A vampire is a creature from folklore that subsists by feeding on the vital essence (generally in the form of blood) of the living. In European folklore, vampires are undead creatures that often visited loved ones and caused mischief or deaths in the neighbourhoods they inhabited while they were alive.
Why did Carmilla betray Dracula?
Among her motivations for seeking power and control is her desire to be rid of the command of madmen, or in essence, anyone like her old master, who promised her the world before he grew old, insane, and unkind. Thus, it was one of the reasons why she turned against Dracula, another “old mad man” in her viewpoint.