Victorian Ideals In Dracula Essay
The Rejection of Victorian Ideals in Dracula
Within Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Stoker gives readers an interesting yet controversial look into what love and sexuality is like in Victorian society. In the 19th century men and women had distinct roles. Women were confined to their homes and burdened with the idea that they couldn’t do the jobs that the men did and that they were only useful for being subservient and dependent. Men had the privilege of being able to vote and work imperative jobs outside of the home (“Gender Roles in the 19th Century”). Jane Austen’s romantic novel Pride and Prejudice displayed the battle that women had when it came to being a feminist. Caroline Bingley, one of the characters in chapter eight said, “A woman must
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Dracula entertained the imagination of men and discussion of female sexuality. Due to the rigid class structure of the 19th century, mentioning sexual desires, adultery, and other ideas were too taboo to talk about. Lucy mentions this in Chapter 4 “Why can 't they let a girl marry three men, or as many as want her, and save all this trouble? But this is heresy, and I must not say it” (Stoker 60). Mina and Lucy both are first characterized as innocent and virtuous but are soon affected by Dracula’s interference and their image of purity is tarnished. Dracula turned Westenra into a bloodthirsty vampire which completely contradicted her former self. Another example of heresy and adultery would be when the three creepy vampire sisters wanted Harker at the same time. Having multiple spouses or love interests was not accepted in the Victorian Era. Furthermore, Murray was almost killed but lived to see the day that the Count would die. Murray was a much stronger character or woman than Westenra because Murray was informed and aware of the risks at hand unlike Westenra who was doomed from the beginning because of her ignorance. Westenra was a desirable character which was a big no no for the time period. Westenra being too desirous is what made her an easy
Thesis On Dracula And Religion
332 Words | 2 PagesThe topic I have chosen for my essay is how Dracula is meant to remind society of the importance of religion, specifically Christianity, in Stoker’s time. I intend to do this through analyzing symbols in Dracula, drawing connections between these symbols and Christianity, and analyzing the implications Stoker attempts to make. I chose this topic because vampires and their sacrilegious implications, such as burning when touching a cross, have always been of interest to me, hence why I chose to study Dracula in the first place. My thesis is: Stoker uses Count Dracula as symbol to represent what society may become if they abandon religious beliefs.
Good Vs. Evil In Dracula
889 Words | 4 PagesIn Bram Stokers novel “Dracula” there’s a battle between good and evil. The good uses Christian references to ward off evil. This starts a holy war. Stoker’s novel is an obvious ‘good versus evil’ kind of story. We all know that Dracula is going to get defeated, but how?
Renfield In Bram Stoker's Dracula
1367 Words | 6 PagesAlso, when the three female vampires appear before Jonathan, he characterizes them to have “dark, piercing eyes” and “ruby [red]” lips, which conveys that they are also among the evil in Dracula (Stoker
Gender Roles In Bram Stoker's Dracula
1350 Words | 6 PagesAt first glance, the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker appears to be a typical gothic horror novel set in the late 1890s that gives readers an exciting look into the fight between good and evil. Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that Dracula is a statement piece about gender roles and expectations for men and women during the Victorian age. Looking at the personalities, actions, and character development of each of the characters in Dracula bring to light startling revelations about Victorian society and how Stoker viewed the roles of men and women during this time period. To really understand Dracula, it is important to note that this novel was written during a time “of political and social upheaval, with anxieties not just about the
Desire In Bram Stoker's Dracula
1160 Words | 5 PagesThe horror genre of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, combined with mild eroticism is able to draw in readers due to the fact that Stoker is able to intricately weave suspenseful sexual scenes/scenes of desire throughout the novel—making it clear that
Homosexuality In Dracula
271 Words | 2 PagesIn the novel Dracula, Bram Stoker reflected thoughts, ideas, and beliefs passionately focusing primarily on the concept of homosexuality in Catholic belief. Homosexuality is another part of the novel in which Stoker uses an excessive amount of blood which to some in the Victorian era meant that it was related to sexuality. Back then though, it was a new and disturbing discovery that many had a lack of knowledge. In Catholic belief, being homosexual meant disobeying God’s ultimate guidelines for us. He created us in His image and being attracted to the same sex was not a part of His vision.
Suddenly Sexual Women In Bram Stoker's Dracula Summary
1830 Words | 8 PagesFeminist Reading: Dracula between Beauvoir’s and Roth’s Ideas In her article, “Suddenly Sexual Women in Bram Stoker’s Dracula” Phyllis Roth argues that Dracula is a misogynistic novel which is obvious in the system of power in which men are dominant and active figures whereas women are just followers and obedient to their system. She draws on Simon de Beauvoir’s idea that “ambivalence as an intrinsic quality of Eternal Feminine”, in order to show that women are victims to men powers. In her chapter, “Myth and Reality”, Beauvoir discusses the way that anybody in the society, specially men, doesn’t do their job in taking a step towards the oppressed women, but to act just like what the system of myth impose them to act.
Women In Dracula Essay
696 Words | 3 PagesThe major theme in the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker is the threat of female sexual expression. During this time period, female sexual behavior was frowned upon. Women were said to have to be either a virgin or a wife and mother. Social standards were very strict during this time, making it unheard of for women to show sexual expressions. In is era, the main concern was the role women had in society.
Lucy Westenra In Dracula
825 Words | 4 PagesLucy Westenra is the best friend of Mina Harker and thus the second female main character of the novel. Stoker describes with Lucy a representative of the New Women movement, as the time was seen by the British population. She is single and lives with her mother, who is suffering from heart disease. Her family, that was once very prosperous, consist only of herself and her aging mother. She is Dracula’s first victim /vampire child in England.
Theme Of Corruption In Bram Stoker's Dracula
1161 Words | 5 PagesEverybody knows the classic tale of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It is most famous for its introduction of the character of Count Dracula into both deep-rooted and contemporary literature and media. One critic claimed,” Bram Stoker set the ground rules for what a vampire should be.” It follows the story of Jonathan Harker, an English solicitor who visits Count Dracula in his castle in Transylvania – soon realising that he is being kept as a prisoner. Dracula forms a liking to the character of Lucy which ultimately leads to her death.
Theme Of Deception In Bram Stoker's Dracula
778 Words | 4 PagesDracula’s deceitful traits carry over to his victims that become
Morality And Morality In Dracula
1329 Words | 6 PagesDuring the Victorian period in which Dracula was written, morals and ethics were often strictly enforced. Some of the morals that were upheld had to do with personal duty, hard work, honesty, as well as sexual proprietary. It was very important during this period that one was proper in their sexual behaviors and conventional in whom they had sexual relations with. However, during this period, many authors sought to challenge the ‘norm’ with ideas of reform and change and Bram Stoker was no exception to this. In his novel, Dracula, Stoker provides a critique of this rigidity in his portrayal of Dracula and Dracula’s relationship with Jonathan Harker.
The Importance Of Dracula In Stoker's Dracula
1253 Words | 6 PagesGothic horror novel Dracula, the title character makes only several relatively short appearances, some of which are while in disguise. Throughout the novel, Stoker keeps Count Dracula in the shadows, both literally and figuratively. This essay will describe these appearances and analyze Stoker’s use of them to determine what effect they might have on the impression of the character and the novel overall. It will be claimed that by keeping his title character hidden for much of the novel, Stoker’s Dracula is made much more frightening to the reader. Human beings tend to fear the unknown, and by leaving Dracula to the imagination,
Social Inequality In Dracula
1154 Words | 5 PagesSince Dracula was written in the Victorian era it’s important to acknowledge the differences between our societal hierarchies. This major difference allows certain people to have more control over one another which leads to conflicts. Allowing people to have control leads to dehumanization which further causes inequality. Bram Stoker introduces Dracula 's character as a noble count who enjoys staying in Transylvania due to his well known fame. This position of power ultimately allows Dracula to plot monstrous schemes revolving Jonathan Harker, however, Harkers living testimony reveals Dracula 's true nature as a bloodthirsty vampire.
Fear In Dracula
811 Words | 4 PagesDracula’s castle was just the beginning of what was to come. Jonathan 's meeting of the three female vampires it was a catalyst for what he believed was right and wrong. With the 3 women being polar opposites of what was expected from a 19th-century Victorian woman compared to the pure and proper Mina the 3 vampires are straight forward and dominant. Something that he had never experienced before and he can 't help that he is both attracted and repulsed by them. “ There was something about them that made me uneasy, some longing and at the same time some deadly fear.
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