Bram Stoker´s novel "Dracula" presents two different kinds of women of the Victorian era: Lucy Westenra and Mina Harker.
This era is characterised with the emerging ‘New Woman’ movement. Many critics persuade us, that Mina and Lucy embody paradigmatic representatives of the ‘New Women’ ideas and behaviour.
In this work the main characteristics to the female characters of the novel will be given, considering the reasons of their actions by contrasting their Victorian and ‘New Women’ features.
Table of Contents
1.Introduction
2.The role of women in the Victorian era
3.The ‘New Women’ movement
4. Images of women in Dracula
4.1 Lucy Westenra
4.1.1 Education and lifestyle
4.1.2 Seduction of Lucy by Dracula
4.1.3 Lucy as a vampire
4.2 Mina Harker
4.2.1 Mina as a caring wife
4.2.2 Seduction of Mina by Dracula
4.2.3 Thoughts of Mina on the modern woman
5.Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This academic paper examines the depiction of female characters in Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula" against the backdrop of late 19th-century societal norms. The central research question explores whether the primary female protagonists, Lucy Westenra and Mina Harker, embody the ideals of the emerging "New Woman" movement or remain trapped within traditional Victorian gender roles.
- The influence of Victorian patriarchal society on female identity.
- Definitions and characteristics of the "New Woman" movement.
- Comparative analysis of Lucy Westenra and Mina Harker as literary figures.
- The symbolic transformation of women through the vampire motif.
- Analysis of Stoker’s portrayal of autonomy versus domestic dependency.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1.2 Seduction of Lucy by Dracula
Quincey Morris, Jack Seward and Arthur Holmwood proposed to Lucy. Van Helsing considers her as the sweetest thing ever. Mina talks constantly about how wonderful Lucy is. She is like a child, so innocent. She is supposed to be vulnerable. It inspires people around her to protect her. But what are the reasons for her vulnerability? Why did she become the first victim of Dracula in England?
As there are different theories and no specific reason given in the text of the novel, we will extract meaning from what is given. At first, she is generally much more vulnerable than Mina. This aspect together with her natural sexuality, innocence and purity surely attracts Dracula. Moreover, Lucy inherited the feature of sleepwalking from her father. She can be seen as a border crosser between waking and dreaming. In addition to this she lives on the seashore with a view on the harbour. These two facts gave Dracula nice opportunity.
Dracula arrives in the ship ‘Demeter’. The name of the ship could be seen as a mythical allusion to Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, who presided over the fertility of the earth. The crew dead or gone, the captain strapped dead to the wheel, on the crest of a wild storm. The Demeter comes ashore in Whitby harbour. It is entirely possible that Lucy is a circumstantial victim, chosen because of her proximity to the harbour where Dracula first lands and due to her propensity for walking about in her sleep. When the whole of the text is explored and Mina’s singular importance to Dracula is revealed, however, Lucy’s selection seems to stem both from accident and intent. If we assume Mina to be the ultimate target – given that Dracula knew of her before sailing from his interactions with Jonathan Harker – then we can also assume that Mina’s proximity to Lucy combined with Lucy’s own circumstances make her an ideal target. Narratively she is chosen because of her extreme virtue. She is sweet and unspoiled and beautiful.
Summary of Chapters
1.Introduction: This chapter introduces the main female characters and establishes the research focus on contrasting Victorian ideals with the emerging "New Woman" movement.
2.The role of women in the Victorian era: This section provides a socio-historical overview of the restrictive expectations placed upon women, including the "angel in the house" archetype and the lack of legal rights.
3.The ‘New Women’ movement: The chapter defines the "New Woman" as a reactionary social force challenging patriarchal dominance and domestic confinement in the late 19th century.
4. Images of women in Dracula: This chapter offers a detailed literary analysis of Lucy Westenra and Mina Harker, evaluating their actions and character development within the context of the novel.
5.Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the findings, concluding that both characters maintain a complex, ambiguous position between traditional Victorian expectations and modern aspirations.
Keywords
Bram Stoker, Dracula, Victorian era, New Woman, gender roles, literary analysis, Lucy Westenra, Mina Harker, patriarchy, angel in the house, feminism, vampire, sexuality, identity, social norms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this academic paper?
The paper examines the representation of women in Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula," specifically focusing on how the female characters interact with and defy the gender standards of the Victorian era.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The core themes include the "New Woman" movement, Victorian domestic ideology, the dichotomy of the "angel in the house" versus the "fallen woman," and the impact of the vampire motif on female autonomy.
What is the primary research goal of this analysis?
The goal is to determine whether Lucy Westenra and Mina Harker should be categorized as early representations of the "New Woman" or if they remain fundamentally defined by traditional Victorian values.
Which scientific or analytical method is employed?
The author uses a comparative literary analysis, contrasting the behavioral characteristics of the characters against historical, societal, and psychoanalytical frameworks of the late 19th century.
What content is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body investigates the background and motivations of Lucy and Mina, analyzing their relationships, their responses to the threat of Dracula, and their personal reflections on womanhood.
Which keywords best characterize the research?
Key terms include Victorian era, New Woman, gender roles, Bram Stoker, Dracula, patriarchy, and female identity.
Why is Lucy Westenra considered a more "vulnerable" character compared to Mina Harker?
The analysis suggests that Lucy's lack of a strong father figure, her propensity for sleepwalking, and her initial innocence make her a more malleable and easily targeted victim for Dracula's influence.
How does the author interpret Mina Harker’s reaction to the "New Woman" movement?
The author argues that while Mina is curious and educated, she ultimately prioritizes traditional Victorian expectations, often expressing irony or skepticism regarding the more radical ideas of the "New Woman."
- Citar trabajo
- Christian Haas (Autor), 2014, The Role of Women in Bram Stoker's "Dracula", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/292909
