This paper deals with the question whether Mina Harker can be described as an emancipated woman. Bram Stoker presents two different kinds of women in his novel Dracula: the passive and innocent female and the sexual aggressive woman. The pure and chaste kind of woman is presented by Mina Harker and the sexual aggressive women are represented by Lucy Westenra and the three vampire women. These different types of women find their counterparts in the Victorian society of the nineteenth century. On one side one can find the typical Victorian woman. Those women stood for traditions and long lasting ideals. At this type of woman will be looked at in the first part of the paper. It gives a short summary of the historical background to this subject. This part is followed by a characterisation of the New Woman, a phenomenon that turned up at the end of the nineteenth century. Those women wanted to renew to status of women in the Victorian society. They fought for better educational opportunities for women of that time. The main part deals with the question if Mina Harker has picked up certain traits from the Victorian ladies. It also deals with the question whether she has also taken up traits of the New Woman. Her behaviour throughout the novel will be looked at. Certain typical forms of behaviour of the two kinds of women will be picked out and analysed. The difficulty is that Mina Harker seems to have a dual character since she seems to have adopted from both types of women. This thesis will be tested throughout the main part of the paper. The conclusion gives a summary of the results and it answers to the question which type of woman Mina Harker belongs to.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Historical background
- 2.1 The Victorian ideal
- 2.2 The New Woman
- 3. Mina Harker - A Victorian lady?
- 4. Mina Harker - A New Woman?
- 5. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper investigates whether Mina Harker, a character in Bram Stoker's Dracula, can be classified as a "New Woman." The study analyzes Mina's character in the context of Victorian societal norms and the emerging "New Woman" movement. It examines her behavior and actions throughout the novel to determine whether she embodies characteristics of both the traditional Victorian ideal and the more progressive New Woman.
- The portrayal of women in Victorian society
- The characteristics of the "New Woman" movement
- Mina Harker's character development and complexities
- The tension between traditional Victorian ideals and the rise of feminism
- An analysis of Mina's dual nature, reflecting both traditional and progressive traits
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central question of whether Mina Harker can be considered an emancipated woman. It contrasts two female archetypes presented in Dracula: the passive, innocent woman (Mina) and the sexually aggressive woman (Lucy and the vampire women). The chapter sets the stage by highlighting the societal context of Victorian England, promising an analysis of the historical background of Victorian ideals and the New Woman movement, and indicating the paper's focus on examining Mina Harker's behavior to determine if she exhibits characteristics of both types of women. The chapter concludes by outlining the structure and argumentative path of the paper.
2. Historical background: This chapter provides the historical context for understanding the portrayal of women in Dracula. Section 2.1, "The Victorian Ideal," details the domestic role of women during Queen Victoria's reign, emphasizing their confinement to the domestic sphere, their limited opportunities outside the home, and their primary role as wives and mothers. The ideal Victorian woman was expected to be a devoted wife, providing emotional support and maintaining a tranquil home. Section 2.2, "The New Woman," introduces the contrasting figure of the "New Woman" at the end of the 19th century—women who challenged traditional roles, advocating for equal rights and greater opportunities in education, marriage, and sexuality. The chapter effectively sets the stage for analyzing Mina Harker within the framework of these contrasting societal expectations.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Victorian Era, New Woman, Bram Stoker, Dracula, Mina Harker, gender roles, Victorian ideals, feminism, female emancipation, societal expectations, character analysis, literary analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Mina Harker in Bram Stoker's *Dracula*
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
The paper investigates whether Mina Harker, a character in Bram Stoker's Dracula, can be classified as a "New Woman." It analyzes her character within the context of Victorian societal norms and the burgeoning "New Woman" movement, examining her behavior to determine if she embodies characteristics of both the traditional Victorian ideal and the more progressive New Woman.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the portrayal of women in Victorian society, the characteristics of the "New Woman" movement, Mina Harker's character development and complexities, the tension between traditional Victorian ideals and the rise of feminism, and an analysis of Mina's dual nature, reflecting both traditional and progressive traits.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured as follows: an introduction establishing the central research question and contrasting female archetypes in Dracula; a historical background section detailing the Victorian ideal and the emergence of the New Woman; a section dedicated to analyzing Mina Harker as a Victorian lady; a section analyzing Mina Harker as a potential New Woman; and finally, a conclusion.
What historical context is provided in the paper?
The paper provides a detailed historical background, contrasting the "Victorian Ideal" which confined women to the domestic sphere with the "New Woman" movement of the late 19th century, where women challenged traditional roles and advocated for greater rights and opportunities.
How does the paper analyze Mina Harker's character?
The paper analyzes Mina Harker's behavior and actions throughout the novel to determine whether she embodies characteristics of both the traditional Victorian ideal and the more progressive New Woman. It examines her complexities and explores her dual nature, encompassing both traditional and progressive traits.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of each chapter, outlining the key arguments and analyses presented within each section. The introduction establishes the central question and methodology. The historical background chapter details the Victorian ideal and the New Woman movement. Subsequent chapters delve into specific analyses of Mina Harker's character in relation to these historical contexts.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
The keywords associated with this paper are: Victorian Era, New Woman, Bram Stoker, Dracula, Mina Harker, gender roles, Victorian ideals, feminism, female emancipation, societal expectations, character analysis, literary analysis.
- Quote paper
- Meike Röder (Author), 2005, Mina Harker - A New Woman?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/37094
