Gothic Essay A questioning of normative gender behavior and sexuality permeates the Gothic fictional text of the 19th century. What does this reveal about the cultural context in which the tale exists? This essay will attempt to discuss the two gothic tales “Carmilla” and “Dracula” in relation to the cultural contexts in which they exist, presented to the reader through the gender behavior and sexuality that is portrayed through the texts. Vampire stories always seem to involve some aspect of sexuality and power. Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu wrote Carmilla. It was first published in 1872 as part of the short story collection “In a Glass Darkly”. Carmilla predates the publication of Dracula by 25 years. Laura, who is also one of the main protagonists, narrates the story. She begins the tale by telling stories about her childhood and how she lived in a castle with her father on the edge of the forest. When Laura was only six years old, she claimed to have had a dream in which a visitor entered her bedroom and bit her on the neck, but no injuries could be found on her. It is in this context that the whole story takes place. When a carriage crashes outside the castle, Laura befriends the young girl traveling inside named Carmilla. There is an instant bond and attraction between the two females. Although this text predates the modern day of gay and lesbian relationships by several years, some readers may consider this relationship to fall into this category. This may surprise many readers because it was a very secret and taboo subject and not talked about in public at all. It is never stated in the text that there was anything else to the friendship between Laura and Carmil......middle of article......ed. In conclusion to this essay, after examining these 19th century Gothic texts, it is fair to say that normative gender behaviors and sexuality permeate them. This element gives the reader a deep insight into the cultural context of the era in which these stories are set. This allows the reader to delve into the darker sides of humanity at that time, which they would not have been able to do otherwise.__________________________________________________________________Finn, Page 5BIBLIOGRAPHYEKlüsener, Bea. "Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla and Bram Stoker's Vampire Ladies as Representations of Cesare Lombroso's Delinquent?" Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Germany (2010): pages 1-12. Print.Le Fanu, J. Sheridan. In a dark glass. London: Bentley and Son, 1872. Print.Stoker, Bram. Dracula. 1897. New York: Oxford University Press, printed.