Questions About Carmilla

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Answered Questions (10)

Have any of you watched the web series based on this book?

Traci I have and I fell in love with it right away! My favorite season will always be season 1, but I loved the other two seasons and the bonus Season Zero,…moreI have and I fell in love with it right away! My favorite season will always be season 1, but I loved the other two seasons and the bonus Season Zero, as well as the little extras that went along with it. I'm looking forward to the movie that they're making for it, as well. It's nothing like the book, but I think I enjoyed it so much because I went into it figuring it wouldn't be so I was able to view as its own thing that was inspired by an awesome book.(less)

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Is it worth the read?

Kirsi I liked it - Gothic castle in Styria, mix of authentic vampire folklore - Carmilla is not pale nor burn in the sun - and Gothic romanticism. Carmilla …moreI liked it - Gothic castle in Styria, mix of authentic vampire folklore - Carmilla is not pale nor burn in the sun - and Gothic romanticism. Carmilla is gorgeous and has some effective dialogue. But it has zero action, lot of talk... so if you are bored by talky, actionless stories, you may not enjoy this. (less)

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"Then she described a hideous black woman, with a sort of colored turban on her head, and who was gazing all the time from the carriage window, nodding and grinning derisively towards the ladies, with gleaming eyes and large white eyeballs, and her teeth set as if in fury" I didn't understand this, what was this woman supposed to be?

Scott Bordelon I had the same question. It seemed so strange that Le Fanu would put such a spotlight on this mysterious woman in the carriage, as if foreshadowing he…moreI had the same question. It seemed so strange that Le Fanu would put such a spotlight on this mysterious woman in the carriage, as if foreshadowing her eventual return later in the story, but we never revisit her ever again.(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Chloe I am conflicted with this question. The main form of affection between the two women is hugging, hand holding, etc and so that, combined with their st…moreI am conflicted with this question. The main form of affection between the two women is hugging, hand holding, etc and so that, combined with their strong friendship, suggests to me simply an intense relationship. However, this book was written at a time where a WLW relationship could not be discussed so openly, and so the true intentions behind those actions are most probably concealed. (less)

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In my copy of "Carmilla," Daniel Richler writes in the Forward that Le Fanu grew up on legends of Irish fairies, among them the banshee … who haunts a family and foretells the deaths of family members. It goes on to say that the banshee appears in one of three guises: a young woman, a stately matron or a riddled old hag, and that in Carmilla, she appears as all three! Who would be the old hag in the story?

Curfeh The idea of the maiden, the matron, and the hag under one same person is in fact an interesting symbol that dates to ancient religious beliefs of a mo…moreThe idea of the maiden, the matron, and the hag under one same person is in fact an interesting symbol that dates to ancient religious beliefs of a mother goddess that manifested herself under all three aspects. The old hag was understood as a representation of death, sorcery and forbidden wisdom. I would say this matches quite nicely the mystery around the cursed and long dead countess Mircalla Karnstein. It contains all aspects because she’s dead, there’s lots of secrecy around her death, and she’s cursed. Also, it’s important to note that her name “Mircalla” is an anagram for “Carmilla”, thus making her the same exact character as that of the mysterious friend of the protagonist. However, this shows her not in her maiden aspect (as she manifests when she goes by the name of Carmilla), but in her old-hag aspect (the long dead and cursed countess Mircalla).

If it interests you, I recommend you read “The Great Cosmic Mother” by Monica Sjöö in which the author explains the origin and meanings of said trifecta. Also, it is a really interesting read, for it explains the more profound connection behind the ancient cults of the female principle, blood, and vampirism.(less)

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