Gothic Essay An investigation of normative gender behavior and sexuality pervades the text of 19th-century Gothic fiction. What does this reveal about the cultural context that exists within the tale? This essay will attempt to discuss the two Gothic tales "Carmilla" and "Dracula" in relation to the cultural contexts in which they exist as presented to the reader through the gendered behavior and sexuality represented 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 precedes the publication of Dracula by 25 years. Laura, who is also one of the main protagonists, tells the story. He begins the tale by telling stories of his childhood and how he lived in a castle with his father on the edge of the forest. When Laura was only six years old she claims to have had a dream in which a visitor entered her bedroom and bit her on the neck, but no wounds were found on her. This is the backdrop against which the whole story is set. When a carriage crashes outside the castle, Laura befriends the girl traveling inside named Carmilla. There is an immediate bond and attraction between the two females. Although this text predates the modern day of same-sex relationships and lesbianism by many years, some readers may feel that this relationship falls into this category. This may surprise many readers as it was a very secretive, taboo topic and not talked about in public at all. In the text it is never stated that there was something more to the friendship between Laura and Carmil...... middle of the sheet ...... ed. In conclusion of this essay, after examining these 19th century Gothic texts, it is fair to say that normative gender behavior and sexuality pervade them. This element gives the reader a deep insight into the cultural context of the era in which these stories are set. It allows the reader to delve into the darkest sides of humanity at the time, which he otherwise would not have been able to do._______________________________________________________________________Finn, page 5BIBLIOGRAPHYAKlüsener, Bea. "Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla and Bram Stoker's female vampires as representations of Cesare Lombroso's delinquent woman?" Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Germany (2010): Pg 1-12. Print.Le Fanu, J. Sheridan. In a glass darkly. London: Bentley and Son, 1872. Print.Stoker, Bram. Dracula. 1897. New York: Oxford University Press, print.