The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

For discussing chapter 3 please be aware if you have not completed this chapter spoilers may be posted here.

As everyone gathers to discuss the events of the rather strange occurrence which has taken place it seems that only more mystery is cast upon the situation.

This chapter brought to my mind this experiment which is performed in criminal law classes in which without the students being forewarned the teacher will have someone one into the class room and than run back out and then ask the students to describe what they saw, and inevitably though everyone witnessed the same event there will be 5o different descriptions of the individual.

After the fact of the event now all these little strange and somewhat ominous details are revealed. The possibility of another strange lady within the carriage dressed outlandishly (and perhaps foreignly?) by wearing a turban. The description of the servants as looking rather unsavory.

It does bring to mind just how reliable these accounts might in fact be, and how much of it is after the fact people having seen what they wanted to see, or being mislead by their own memories and perhaps just being swept up in the unusualness of it all.

There is also there rather poignant foreshadowing of the mention of the picture of Cleopatra with the asp in the room where the strange guest was placed.

I noticed the portrait of Cleopatra, too. Dark haired. Reputed to have mysterious influence on those around her. And, then, of course, the snakes' fangs.

I love the way Carmilla immediately makes use of the fact that the narrator recognizes her from her childhood "dream." It bonds them immediately rather than allowing for suspicion and dread. She may be evil. Possibly, even a blood-sucking fiend. But, she's clever!

Renee wrote: "I noticed the portrait of Cleopatra, too. Dark haired. Reputed to have mysterious influence on those around her. And, then, of course, the snakes' fangs."

And I believe the story of Cleopatra indicates the asp bites her on her breast which repeats the situation from the introduction.

I feel like the two governesses were immediately charmed by the newcomer. They speak very highly of her and seem very impressed. It seems funny to me because they have spent a matter of minutes with her at this point. Or is it longer and I missed it?

The main character, who says she shy as sheltered, isolated people are, can't wait to go talk to the new girl. While I understand her being intrigued, I can't quite believe somebody shy and sheltered would be so outgoing.

I really enjoyed the fact that the newcomer is the girl of her dreams. Yet, neither one mentions the bite while seeming to recall every other aspect of the occurrence. It made me wonder why it was left out.

The additional woman in the carriage raised some questions for me too. If the carriage was overturned, how could she simply stay seated in it? Is this additional woman real or a spector of some kind? The odd description of her dress also adds to her mystery.

I do think we can see how everyone within the household comes to fall under the spell of Carmilla while perhaps the narrator does develop a strong infatuation (or is more bewitched) everyone is quickly wrapped up in this new and somewhat mysterious guest, and perhaps to some degree become blinded to certain aspects of her personality that might raise some question and possible suspicion.

The revelation of the dream was quite interesting. It is a way to further bond the narrator with Carmilia making their meeting appear as if it happened by fate and connects them in this incredible shared experience.

I'm sure the instant attraction is supposed to be part of Carmilla's spell, but everyone keeps going on about her exceptional beauty, as well. I'm thinking about all the recent studies on how beautiful people are treated differently than the average Joe/Jo. They are hired more readily, for more money, helped in distress more often, AND trusted more readily. LeFanu may have been commenting on human nature or, at least, giving a reason why others would assume she had been taken in so readily. Although, later, it comes up so often the reader starts to wonder if her beauty is, in itself, unnatural.

The instant attraction or spell of the houseguest really shows how isolate the other characters appear to be from each other. They only seem connected to the houseguest. I also think there's something else at play here, but will wait a bit to ensure it won't be a spoiler for anybody.

Renee wrote: "I love the way Carmilla immediately makes use of the fact that the narrator recognizes her from her childhood "dream." It bonds them immediately rather than allowing for suspicion and dread. She ma..."

Except that it is Carmilla who first mentions the dream, suggesting the that the two girls have somehow been linked in the past. I also think that, although the narrator calls herself shy, I expect the excitement of having another young woman as a possible companion would probably overcome any lonely and isolated young woman's inhibitions.

I agree that the narrator would be excited. I guess it's hard for me to believe that a shy person would so easily overcome it. I'm shy, and know the excitement wouldn't be enough for me.