Homosexuality In Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's 'Carmilla'

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Homosexuality has been looked down upon for centuries. Even today, homosexuality is considered a taboo in many societies and religions. What’s even more looked down upon in many societies and religions is lesbianism. In the 19th century, it was unthinkable for women to even work outside of their homes; therefore, women being emotionally and sexually attached to each other were downright ignominy. In the 19th century, what Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu presents in his Victorian gothic story, “Carmilla,” not only challenges typical Victorian gothic, but also breaks the barrier in a society where lesbianism is considered a taboo. Through “Carmilla,” Le Fanu breaks the barrier in society for lesbianism in the 19th century by challenging three important things: traditional vampire traits, role of women, and religion. …show more content…

Le Fanu veils the true meaning of “Carmilla” by presenting it as a vampire story, which is genius because writing “Carmilla” as a vampire story prevents the reader from feeling overwhelmed by the ideas of the story’s true reality. His main purpose in writing this story was to challenge a society who is very afraid of change or to be questioned. According to Sheri R. Wohl, “Carmilla” is “Frightening for more than the monsters that inhabit the tales. They are frightening because they reflect much truth in both society and human behavior that persist through generations and centuries” (50). What Wohl is conveying is that “Carmilla” is not terrifying because it is a horror story, but it is terrifying because Le Fanu veils society’s reality through

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