From time immemorial gallant ideals, bravery and fearlessness have been universal characteristics of manliness. In regards to manly ideals of the Victorian Era it is hard to fully grasp all of the ideals that spread through the 19th century. Many different theories and new findings shaped those characteristics of Victorian manliness. Therefore, the ideals of manliness are very divergent. The Victorian man was many things, brave, physically strong, independent and moral. One way to find out more about manly ideals is by examining resources from this time, for example literature. For that reason, this study is concerned with the ideals of manliness during the Victorian Era and its depiction in Late Victorian literature, to be precise, in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theories on Manliness in the Victorian Era
2.1. Darwinism
2.2. Athleticism
2.2.1. Muscular Christianity
2.3. Manly Love
2.4. The Threat of the New Woman
3. Analysis
3.1. The Pleasure-Seekers
3.2. The Muscular Christians
3.3. Homoeroticism
4. Conclusion
5. Works Cited
Objectives and Themes
This thesis examines the evolving ideals of Victorian manliness and their representation in Late Victorian literature, specifically focusing on Oscar Wilde’s 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' and Bram Stoker’s 'Dracula'. By analyzing cultural shifts, the study explores how these novels reflect contemporary anxieties regarding gender roles, sexuality, and moral decay.
- The influence of Darwinism and athleticism on Victorian masculinity.
- The rise of Muscular Christianity as a reaction to perceived moral and physical weakness.
- The impact of the 'New Woman' and changing social gender roles on Victorian men.
- Homoerotic subtexts and the discourse surrounding 'manly love' in the late 19th century.
- A comparative analysis of the protagonists as 'Pleasure-Seekers' or 'Muscular Christians'.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. The Pleasure-Seekers
This subchapter was named The Pleasure-Seekers, because both Darwinism and Imperialism caused the popularity of Libertinage during the Late Victorian Period (Tosh 111). It encouraged young men to seek adventures and act out their sexualities and live their lives in permanent bachelorhood (Tosh 111). Already since the 1870s, one will find a noticeable tendency that men married at an older age or lived as bachelors (Francis 640). For that reason, several characters of Dracula and The Picture of Dorian Gray will be examined and it will be revealed how these roles find pleasure in their lives. First of all, the Pleasure-Seekers in The Picture of Dorian Gray shall be analyzed.
One example of a character who eschews marriage and chose the life of a libertine is portrayed by James Vane. The reader gets to know that he wants to leave for Australia and never wants to “see this horrid London again […]” (Wilde 99-100). For James, this adventure is not primarily about the economic reasons and the outlook for profit, but rather his intention of staying there forever. During a conversation with his mother, it becomes obvious that James is opposed to Victorian society, as he states that he does not “want to know anything about that […]” (Wilde 100). Since he is not one of the main characters, the reader never gets to know why he is so antipathetic towards Victorian society.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the scope of the study, defining the historical and literary focus on Victorian manliness in Wilde and Stoker.
2. Theories on Manliness in the Victorian Era: Explores key socio-cultural drivers, including Darwinian evolution, the athletic movement, and religious reform, that shaped masculine ideals.
3. Analysis: Provides a detailed comparative exploration of male characters categorized by their pursuit of pleasure, their alignment with Christian values, and homoerotic tendencies.
4. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming how both novels serve as cultural markers for the anxiety and shifts in masculinity during the Late Victorian period.
5. Works Cited: A comprehensive bibliography of secondary sources and editions used for the research.
Keywords
Victorian Era, Manliness, Masculinity, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dracula, Muscular Christianity, Aestheticism, New Woman, Homoeroticism, Darwinism, Gender Roles, Literature, Imperialism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the changing definitions and representations of Victorian manliness through the analysis of two prominent late 19th-century novels: 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' and 'Dracula'.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The study explores themes such as the rise of athleticism, the influence of Christian values on masculinity, the sexual threats perceived from the 'New Woman', and the distinction between 'manly love' and homosexuality.
What is the central research question?
The research explores how the shifting cultural paradigms of the Late Victorian era, such as Darwinian theory and the Muscular Christian movement, are reflected in the character development and narrative arcs of these two seminal works.
Which scientific or social theories are applied?
The paper utilizes Darwinism, historical gender studies regarding the 'New Woman', the philosophy of Aestheticism, and the religious framework of Muscular Christianity to analyze literary characters.
What topics does the main analysis section cover?
The analysis investigates the 'Pleasure-Seekers' in Wilde's work, the religious 'Muscular Christians' in Stoker's novel, and finally, the homoerotic undertones present in both texts.
Which key terms best describe this work?
Important keywords include Victorian masculinity, Aestheticism, Muscular Christianity, Gothic literature, and late 19th-century gender politics.
How does the paper differentiate between 'manly love' and homosexuality?
It highlights that while Victorian society valued 'manly love' as a deep, non-sexual spiritual bond, the emergence of sexology at the end of the century caused these terms to become increasingly blurred and stigmatized.
How is the figure of Count Dracula interpreted in the context of manliness?
The paper portrays Dracula as an antagonist whose pursuit of male blood and control over women serves as a disruptive force, necessitating the re-establishment of masculine control by the 'Crew of Light'.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Lisa Schreinemacher (Autor:in), 2016, Manliness in Late Victorian Novels. "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker's "Dracula", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/496134
