A+Feminist+Reading+of+Dracula

A Feminist Reading of Dracula **


 * //Feminism //** // = ‘a doctrine that advocates equal rights for women’ //


 * Feminist reading ** = ‘Though the projects of individual critics differ, there is general agreement that interpretation of literature involves critique of patriarchy. Patriarchy = ideology that privileges masculine ways of thinking/points of view and marginalizes women politically, economically and psychologically.’

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**// Different Readings //** The characters of Mina and Lucy both possess qualities of beauty, purity and sweet nature. The traits are juxtaposed with that of the Nosferatu, three enthralling ghost-like women, who seduce Jonathan Harker in the early stages of the novel. In a feminist view, Mina and Lucy are depicted as the wholesome and obedient woman, suppressed through their lack of ideas and feminine nature. Lucy, in particular, is a very stereotypical character as she is ignorant, attractive and unaware, and performs no real contribution to the group in destroying the Count. Mina plays a minimal role of writing up the journals though she is suppressed in her womanly form, restricted in society. The idea of these two women as the “damsel-in-distress” is highlighted when the group is required to fight, deemed too “dangerous” for the women. The deprivation of power by the women retrains their ability to become a significant member in the destruction of Dracula. The men of the novel hold sexist viewpoints on the situation due to the historical context of the Victorian period, evident in the words, “//It is too great a strain for a woman to bear”.// The Nosferatu women are also repressed as they are beautiful, hold no control or freedom, as they are kept in the castle walls by the Count. Despite this, they are opposite figures to that of Mina and Lucy as they represent the line between fear and desire and the underlying sexual repression of the Victorian period.
 * // __Comparison between Mina and Lucy vs. The Nosferatu__ //**


 * // __The Sexual Threat of Women__ //**

· Mina is referred to have a ‘man’s brain’ with a woman’s heart QUOTE signifying that men were considered to be intelligent and full of wit, whereas women were valued for their gentleness and nurturing nature. It was considered unnatural for a woman to be strategically smart. Also, Lucy asks Mina ‘...why are men so noble when women are so little worthy of them?’ (pg of 67) indicating the idea that women were subordinate to men and fortunate to even in a role in their lives. · Furthermore, women were not to be exposed to violent deeds in any way, let alone participate in a dangerous hunt, such as the one that Jonathan Harker, Dr Van Helsing, Quincey Morris, Lord Goldalming, and Doctor Seward participate in, in their quest to destroy the evil Count Dracula (who threatens all humanity). Dr Van Helsing reminds Madam Mina, ‘You know that your safety is our solemnest duty’. (pg 347) · Women were thought to be very emotional and thus, it was completely acceptable for them to cry in public. Jonathan Harker recounts, ‘I could not speak; my emotion was too great for even the relief of tears’ (pg348), while Mina Harker ‘put her hands before her face, and shuddered whilst she moaned’ (pg315) when she tells the men of her experience of being attacked by Dracula ‘with the tears running down her cheeks’ (pg308) · Women’s role in society was to be a dutiful wife who confided completely in her husband. Lucy writes to Mina ‘A woman ought to tell her husband everything – don’t you think so, dear?’ (pg65) They are also to follow religious practices faithfully, including those regarding marriage. For example, Lucy writes in her diary that she wishes she could marry three men, but immediately recognises that ‘...this is heresy, and I must not say it’ (pg67)
 * // __Stereotyping__ //**

//Further Reading // · Christopher Craft ‘Kiss Me with Those Red Lips: Gender and Inversion in Bram Stoker’s Dracula’, Representations, 8 (1984) 107 - 112, 116 - 130 = =