Initially this paper will give an overview about the role of women in the Victorian era during which "Dracula" was written. This is important in order to identify to what extent the main female characters - Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra - go conform to those former roles. Their characters and respective roles in society will be analysed arguing that Mina represents a role model of a Victorian woman and Lucy an example of a fallen woman.
Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula is set in England and Eastern Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. It consists of a collection of journal entries, letters and telegrams so that there are several narrative perspectives. The main characters are Jonathan Harker, his fiancée Mina Murray, her friend Lucy Westenra, her fiancé Arthur Holmwood, Quincey Morris, Dr. Van Helsing and Dr. John Seward.
The novel opens with Jonathan Harker, an English lawyer who travels to Transylvania to conclude a real estate transaction with a man called Count Dracula. On his way to the destination he is being warned about the castle of Count Dracula. Just a few days later Harker learns why: he is kept in prison in the castle and nearly attacked by three seductive, female vampires. Concurrently with this, his fiancée Mina visits her friend Lucy Westenra and finds her sleepwalking one night. She believes that she has seen a creature with red eyes bending over Lucy what proofs to be true: Lucy has been bitten by Dracula and therefore is slowly transforming into a vampire.
As one night a wolf breaks into the house of the Westenra’s, Lucy’s mother gets a heart attack and Lucy herself gets killed. After her death Van Helsing wants Quincey, Seward and Holmwood to come Lucy’s tomb because he wants to convince them that Lucy has transformed into a Vampire after her death. The men see her preying upon a child and get to the conclusion that she has to be destroyed. Her former fiancé Arthur Holmwood stabs a stake through her heart and hereby ultimately kills her.
After this incident Jonathan, Mina, Dr. Seward and Van Helsing start hunting Dracula. One night Mina is also attacked by Dracula but she does not transform into a Vampire. At the end of the novel the male characters finish their hunt by killing Dracula and his three female vampires.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Role of Women in the Victorian Era
- 3. Mina Harker: A Portrayal of the Victorian Woman
- 4. Lucy Westenra: A Portrayal of the Fallen Woman
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the portrayal of women in Bram Stoker's Dracula within the context of Victorian societal norms. It will examine how the main female characters, Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra, conform to or deviate from these expectations. The analysis will argue that Mina represents the ideal Victorian woman, while Lucy embodies the "fallen woman."
- The role of women in Victorian society
- Character analysis of Mina Harker
- Character analysis of Lucy Westenra
- Contrasting portrayals of female characters
- The shared fate of Mina and Lucy
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Bram Stoker's Dracula, setting the scene in late 19th-century England and Eastern Europe. It establishes the multiple narrative perspectives through journal entries, letters, and telegrams, and introduces the main characters: Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray, Lucy Westenra, Arthur Holmwood, Quincey Morris, Dr. Van Helsing, and Dr. John Seward. The chapter summarizes the initial events, including Jonathan's encounter with Dracula in Transylvania, Mina's discovery of Lucy's sleepwalking, Lucy's vampiric transformation, and the subsequent events leading to Lucy's destruction. It then outlines the paper's objective: to analyze the roles of Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra within the context of Victorian society.
2. The Role of Women in the Victorian Era: This chapter provides crucial background information on the strict gender roles and patriarchal structures prevalent in Victorian England. It details the discrimination against women, portraying them as intellectually and physically inferior to men, and dependent on male authority (fathers, brothers, husbands). The chapter emphasizes women's legal status as property, their limited autonomy, and the acceptance of domestic violence. It discusses the idealized Victorian woman as the "Angel of the House," embodying morality and chastity, and contrasts this with the concept of the "fallen woman," who had lost her innocence before marriage. The chapter also touches upon the burgeoning feminist movement and the "New Woman" of the late 19th century, who challenged traditional roles and expectations.
3. Mina Harker: A Portrayal of the Victorian Woman: This chapter focuses on Mina Harker's portrayal as a quintessential Victorian woman. Her initial portrayal involves her role as a schoolmistress and her acquisition of shorthand and typing skills to support her husband. While economically independent before marriage, she readily embraces her wifely duties, highlighting her sense of responsibility and duty. The chapter examines Mina's emotional support to her husband and other male characters, showcasing a maternal instinct and her role as an emotional anchor. Despite moments of emotional fragility, she maintains composure, acting as the moral and emotional support to the male protagonists. This aligns with the Victorian ideal of a woman who represents a secure home.
4. Lucy Westenra: A Portrayal of the Fallen Woman: This chapter analyzes Lucy Westenra's character as a representation of the "fallen woman." The chapter details Lucy's transformation into a vampire, highlighting her actions and the societal repercussions of her behavior. The narrative emphasizes Lucy's vulnerability and the consequences of her perceived transgression, ultimately leading to her tragic end. This contrasts with the more supportive role of Mina Harker. The chapter further details societal judgement on her actions and ultimate fate.
Keywords
Victorian Era, gender roles, patriarchy, Dracula, Mina Harker, Lucy Westenra, fallen woman, Victorian woman, feminism, moral purity, chastity, motherhood, female agency.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Women in Bram Stoker's Dracula
What is the overall purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic paper analyzing the portrayal of women in Bram Stoker's Dracula, specifically focusing on Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra, within the context of Victorian societal norms. It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the roles of women in Victorian society, contrasting the idealized "Angel of the House" with the stigmatized "fallen woman." It analyzes the characterizations of Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra, examining how they conform to or deviate from these societal expectations. The shared fate of both women despite their differing representations is also considered.
Who are the key female characters analyzed?
The paper primarily focuses on Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra, two contrasting female characters from Bram Stoker's Dracula. The analysis examines how their actions and fates reflect the societal pressures and expectations placed upon women during the Victorian era.
How does the paper analyze Mina Harker's character?
The paper portrays Mina Harker as embodying the ideal Victorian woman. Her intelligence, skills (shorthand and typing), and unwavering support for her husband and the other male characters are highlighted. Despite moments of vulnerability, she remains composed and acts as a moral and emotional anchor, aligning with the Victorian ideal of a woman providing a secure home.
How does the paper analyze Lucy Westenra's character?
The paper presents Lucy Westenra as a representation of the "fallen woman." Her transformation into a vampire is used to illustrate the societal consequences of perceived transgressions against Victorian moral standards. Her vulnerability and tragic end serve as a cautionary tale, contrasting sharply with Mina Harker's more supportive and ultimately successful role.
What is the significance of the Victorian Era context?
The Victorian Era's strict gender roles and patriarchal structures are crucial to understanding the characters and their fates. The paper explores the limited autonomy, legal status, and societal expectations placed upon women, including the idealized "Angel in the House" and the stigmatized "fallen woman" archetypes.
What are the key chapters and their content?
The paper includes an introduction setting the scene and introducing key characters; a chapter on the role of women in Victorian society; chapters focusing on individual character analyses of Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra; and a conclusion. Each chapter summary is included in the preview.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Victorian Era, gender roles, patriarchy, Dracula, Mina Harker, Lucy Westenra, fallen woman, Victorian woman, feminism, moral purity, chastity, motherhood, and female agency.
- Quote paper
- Katharina Zeiger (Author), 2013, Female Characters in Bram Stoker’s "Dracula", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/458182
