Welcome to Celebrate Poe - This is episode 345 - Stirring Sexual Desire
I was looking at the podcast episodes I have done, and realized that I had written three or more episodes for each subject. But I only did two for Carmilla, and have come to realize that the narrative does deserve more attention. You see, there is no question that Carmilla has lesbian/homoerotic undertones that were groundbreaking for its time. Being a gay male, I might not be the ideal person to speak to the lesbian subtext, but I can certainly give it a try.
The story features several scenes of physical closeness between a young woman named Laura and a female vampire named Carmilla, including embraces, caresses, and even Carmilla fondling Laura in bed. These interactions are described in sensual terms that suggest a romantic and sexual attraction. The relationship between the two women is characterized by intense emotions, possessiveness, and a deep, almost obsessive connection that goes beyond typical friendship.
Carmilla is one of the early works of vampire fiction, definitely predating Bram Stoker's “Dracula." The story is narrated by Laura, a young woman who becomes the target of a female vampire named Carmilla.
Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.