This term paper deals with the appearance of the "New Woman" in the end of the 19th century and especially with Stoker's processing of this type of woman in his novel "Dracula". The changes in the roles of men and women and the struggle for adjustment - especially in terms of sexuality - are commented on by a closer examination of the different characters concerning their looks, behavior and emotions.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Gender and Sexuality under Historical Aspects
2.1. What is gender?
2.2. Gender roles in the Victorian Age
2.3. The New Woman (after 1880)
3. Gender in Dracula
3.1. The Weird Sisters
3.2. The Crew of Light
3.3. Jonathan Harker
3.4. Count Dracula
3.5. Lucy Westenra
3.6. Mina Harker (before Murray)
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Core Themes
This academic paper examines how Bram Stoker utilizes the characters in his novel Dracula to reflect the disintegration of traditional gender roles during the late Victorian era. The central research question explores whether the novel, despite its conservative resolution, serves as a feminist critique of the societal anxieties surrounding gender boundaries, sexuality, and the emergence of the "New Woman."
- The historical context of gender roles and sexuality in the Victorian Age.
- The symbolic representation of feminism through vampirism.
- The reversal of gender roles and the projection of male anxiety.
- The analysis of key characters (The Weird Sisters, The Crew of Light, Jonathan Harker, Count Dracula, Lucy Westenra, and Mina Harker) regarding their gender-confused traits.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. The Weird Sisters
The three women represent the inner conflict of the Victorian man. They embody all features of the “New Women” as they are overtly sexual and extremely voluptuous. They act as sexual beings and openly express their desires. All three offer themselves to Jonathan Harker playing off their “deliberate voluptuousness which was both thrilling and repulsive” and promise him an unforgettable sexual encounter. This situation is at the same time a dream come true and a nightmare to every Victorian male. On the one hand they could indulge in an unrestrained and mutually desired sexual adventure. On the other hand, however, such female behavior threatened male dominion and their ability to maintain control. Therefore, these women are displayed as preternatural, “[throwing] no shadow on the floor,” making Jonathan “uneasy, [feeling] some longing and at the same time some deadly fear” and laughing “a silvery, musical laugh, but as hard as though the sound never could have come through the softness of human lips.” The scene in which the three women want to bite Jonathan resembles rape, but with reversed roles: male passivity facing female aggression. The sexual implication is intensified by relating to the act of biting as “kissing.” As here vampirism and sex are linked and vampirism is evil, sex is declared evil as well. So, in order to retain control over his own reason and to remain master of society the male Victorian has to destroy the three depraved women.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the historical setting of the novel and posits that vampirism serves as a metaphor for feminism and sexuality, challenging Victorian social norms.
2. Gender and Sexuality under Historical Aspects: Defines the concept of gender and explores the rigid Victorian expectations placed on women, alongside the emergence of the "New Woman" and her demand for social and sexual independence.
3. Gender in Dracula: Analyzes the disintegration of traditional roles through the main characters, showing how Stoker depicts the fear of female sexual agency and the blurring of gender boundaries.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes that while Stoker ultimately restores traditional patriarchal structures, the novel functions as an endorsement of feminine emancipation by acknowledging the limitations placed upon women's agency.
Keywords
Bram Stoker, Dracula, Gender Roles, Victorian Age, New Woman, Sexuality, Vampirism, Feminism, Masculinity, Femininity, Sexual Agency, Patriarchy, Social Norms, Gothic Literature, Empowerment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this term paper?
The paper focuses on the analysis of gender and sexuality within Bram Stoker’s novel "Dracula," investigating how the text mirrors the Victorian societal anxieties regarding the changing status of women.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
Central themes include the Victorian definition of gender roles, the impact of the "New Woman" movement, the intersection of sexuality and vampirism, and the struggle to maintain patriarchal control.
What is the main research question of this study?
The paper examines whether Bram Stoker’s "Dracula" can be interpreted as a feminist novel, specifically looking at how the characters reflect the disintegration of old gender roles and the subsequent repercussions.
Which scientific methodology is applied here?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, decoding character traits and symbolic events within the narrative to connect them to historical contexts and contemporary gender-anxious theories.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section analyzes specific characters, including the Weird Sisters, the "Crew of Light," Jonathan and Mina Harker, and Count Dracula, exploring their interactions and how these represent the battle between Victorian purity and emerging independence.
Which keywords best describe the paper's focus?
Key terms include Victorian Age, New Woman, Gender Roles, Feminism, Sexuality, and Patriarchal Ideology.
How does the author interpret the character of Count Dracula?
The author argues that Dracula embodies a combination of old-style male dominance and new-man "gender confusion," utilizing his sexual potency to challenge traditional social structures.
Why is Mina Harker considered a character of high complexity?
Mina is presented as a bridge between the "New Woman," with her professional skills, and the "Ideal Victorian Female," who ultimately subordinates her talents to support her male counterparts.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the novel’s "feminist" nature?
The author concludes that while the novel ends by reinforcing traditional roles, it functions as an endorsement of feminine emancipation by highlighting the repression and undeveloped potential of women in that era.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Christina Böhme (Autor:in), 2006, Gender in Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/189990
