Similarities Between Sharp Objects And Carmilla

Within the field of literature, the exploration of the monstrous-feminine has served as a captivating lens to examine the intricacies of female identity and the depths of the human psyche. Gillian Flynn’s haunting novel Sharp Objects and Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu’s gothic novella Carmilla both delve into this dark territory, focusing on the monstrous qualities of motherhood and the complex dynamics between mothers and daughters. This essay argues that both Sharp Objects and Carmilla depict the monstrous-feminine archetype of the archaic mother as a product of societal expectations and unresolved trauma, thereby challenging conventional notions of motherhood. By examining the entwined narratives, we gain a deeper understanding of the enigmatic

As she delves deeper into the investigation, Camille confronts her troubled past and her strained relationship with her overbearing mother, Adora. Adora is constructed as an agent of the archaic mother whose purpose is to break down and absorb life. Her consuming powers lie in her manipulative and abusive behavior towards Camille and this is presented when Camille divulges that Adora “has never told me she loved me, and I never assumed she did. She tended to me; She administrated me” (Flynn 96). Adora’s inclination to tend to Camille’s physical needs illustrates the lack of genuine maternal affection in their relationship and her need to feed off of her sickly nature. This reduces Adora's role as a mother to a mere sense of duty, rather than highlighting the depth of emotional bonding we commonly encounter in many portrayals in media. For instance, the emotional connection between a mother and child is often overshadowed by the emphasis on the mother's obligation for physical care due to concerns about the child's safety. Adora’s preoccupation with fulfilling the image of a “good mother” through physical care is consistent with the observations of scholars, Siti Alifah Tamir and Mina Elfira who assert that patriarchal ideologies “require women to become and carry out maternal roles properly and educate” (Alifah Tamir & Elfira 270). As follows, the subversion of maternal instincts in Sharp Objects exposes the detrimental impact of these expectations and norms. Adora’s distorted practices of motherhood challenges conventional notions of maternal instincts, revealing the harmful consequences of rigid gender roles and societal