homoerotism (ˌhəʊməʊˈɛrəˌtɪzəm) / (ˌhəʊməʊɪˈrɒtɪˌsɪzəm) / noun. eroticism centred on or aroused by persons of one's own sex.
What sets a piece of literature apart as "classic" goes beyond age or popularity; it lies in its timelessness, with new layers of meaning with every read. That being said, the interpretations of literary works have undergone shifts over time, aligning with the evolving perspectives of contemporary society. The multi-generational gap between the context of the work in comparison to our current context leads to stark differences in our perception of these works.
Originally published in the 19th century, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's Gothic masterpiece, “Carmilla” is imbued with themes of love, desire, and the supernatural, including (not so) subtle themes of homoerotica—a topic daringly ahead of its time. As society's attitudes towards gender and sexuality have evolved, so too have our readings of this classic novella. Set in a remote Austrian castle during the 19th century, it follows Laura, an innocent young woman who befriends the arcane and seductive Carmilla, unaware of her vampiric nature. The relationship between Carmilla and Laura shows strong physical and emotional intimacy, with descriptions of the sensation of Carmilla's lips on her neck or the warmth of her embrace.
When the story was first published in 1872, it was received within the context of Victorian society, a period marked by detriment for women and queer people, and in all of its irony here we have a novel about a queer woman. This societal status is evident in how Carmilla’s sexuality is portrayed. Carmilla is characterised by her vampiric nature which is a symbol for the perceived moral corruption and deviance from heteronormative standards. This creates a direct connection between queerness and something that’s considered “evil.” Carmilla represents the taboo of same-sex relationships, shown as a predatory force that threatens the innocence and virtue of Laura. This sparked many controversies around the time, as the close-minded individuals could not bear an ounce of threat to their prized “norms” for women and society.
As societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ themes have evolved, readers and scholars have revisited "Carmilla" with a more nuanced perspective. The novel has been praised for being “well ahead of its time” and “a beacon for homosexual representation in literature,” while the context in which it was written was for sheer condemnation. The author's intention and the true purpose of the text is lost in translation, but it shapes a new purpose that connects the text to modern day readers. This is the beauty of literary interpretation – the same text can bring out different emotions and meanings. With the rise of literary theory and criticism in the 20th century, scholars began to explore texts through perspectives such as feminism, postcolonialism, and psychoanalysis. Books with themes like “Carmilla” were often “veiled” and censored. This was seen with works like, “The Picture of Dorian Gray '' as well, with only a censored version being available to the public. Carmilla was the first work of vampire fiction which later inspired “Dracula,” however Dracula takes credit for this. While "Dracula" gained widespread recognition,"Carmilla" did not receive the credit it deserved for the emergence of this type of gothic literature.
"Carmilla" is a classic that continues to captivate readers with its gothic themes and exploration of love and desire. Despite the context in which it was written, and purposes of the text, “Carmilla” is an excellent piece of LGBTQ+ literature, inspiring new perspectives with each generation.
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