Belief Systems and Gender Roles in Dracula
There is a classic "good versus evil" plot to this novel. The evil of course being Count Dracula and the Good being represented by the Harkers, Dr. Seward and Lucy, Arthur, Quincy and the Professor. It is the continuing battle between Dracula and the forces of good. Good in this case is the Christian God. The battle is foretold by the landlady where she says, "It is the eve of St Georges Day. Do you no know that tonight, when the clock strikes midnight, all the evil things in the world will have full sway?" and she hands Harker a crucifix (p 12).
The crucifix and the empty cross are symbols of fear, loathing and danger to Dracula. There is a certain irony here as the cross is the ultimate symbol of redemption to all Christians. Sin or rather the dark side of humanity's turning from God is recognized and can be redeemed by coming to the cross. The cross is also a symbol of resurrection. The resurrection is the gift of eternal life through Christ to which all Christians can aspire. This is opposed to the Un-Dead nature of Dracula. He is immortal but it is not an eternal joyful thing. Indeed the eternity is always under threat by the very normalcy and goodness of people like the Harkers.
This book is set in an age where science and the world of the Enlightenment, that is the world of rational thought and proven theories, ruled. Dr. Seward represents this world. It is opposed to the seemingly unexplainable world of Dracula and his world of mystery and fable. The events that the different characters experience, although documented faithfully are thought too unbelievable by Professor Van Helsing to be passed on (p 486). It is as if the truth can't be handled by the world at large or that by retaining the story to themselves the central characters will preserve a very terrible but precious memory. A memory made precious because of the depths of courage and faith that had to be mined by and in each of them.
This is not a case of post-modern thought challenging the modernist attitudes of that Enlightenment nor can it be because post-modernist thought was not formulated in the book's context. No rather it is a good case for the book being a representation of the belief system of rational thought and scientific rationalism being challenged by the monstrosity, myth and mysticism of Dracula. This contrast may be highlighted by the blood transfusion to give life as opposed to the vampire sucking blood to take life to maintain his immortality. Seward refers to transfusion as "that ghastly operation" (p 194) but he acknowledges its life giving quality as he notes, "Her struggle back into life was something frightful to see and hear. However, the actions of both heart and lungs improved." (p 194).
Of course this may not be the case. This book may just be a good, entertaining yarn (which it is). Stoker, through his involvement with the theatre, knew the value of good entertainment. It is possible that because of a desire to sell itself, this book taps into the popular diversions of the time, mystery, horror, hypnotism and heroism along with good healthy doses of fear of the unknown and the sexual repression of the Victorian era.
In his Introduction to "Dracula" by Stoker, Maurice Hindle points to the threatening nature of monstrosity as being one of the essential elements of this book. He states that he further develops the Gothic themes of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" by creating the sexually charged Dracula. The other theme is of course dependant on that sexuality this theme is Gender (intro p viii).
The plot of "good versus evil" highlights a definite role for each of the sexes. The maleness of Dracula is opposed to the femininity of Mina and Lucy. The female role is once again, on the surface, that of the damsel in distress. The victim. Of course Eve's willing participation in the Original Sin is also reinforced. The male is both the hero and the villain. But is this so? Do these characters have other roles?
One of the strengths of Christianity (that is the world of the Good) is its living in the Scripture. The roles of some of the women in the scriptures are reflected by the vital roles of Mina and Lucy. Humankind is under threat by an extraordinary evil power. This is a power to which humanity could succumb easily and it is horrible in its seductiveness. In the Scriptures the parallel between this and the actions of Sarah that save God's chosen people (Gen 12.10-13.1). Ruth does what must be done to ensure the marriage to Boaz and the eventual birth of a son that ensures the line of David and of Jesus (Ruth 4.13-18). Mary simply obeys (Luke 1.38). They do what must be done. Mina does what must be done. Lucy must be sacrificed. The men are almost secondary but they do achieve the manly stuff of getting as close to Dracula as they can. In the end it is Mina who must lead him to death. The men must do the killing, Jonathan with the knife to the throat and Quincy's Bowie knife thrust through the heart end Dracula's immortality (p 484). But it is Mina who bears witness as she sees, ."...the whole body crumbled into dust and passed from our sight." (p 484).
The objects of male desire are vividly displayed in the forms of the women who seemingly seek to seduce Harker (p 54). The eroticism displayed in the passage describes what most men want. They want to be seduced by a very dangerous woman (or even three). But it is also what they fear most (intro xii). There is an element of the passivity of spirituality that is the abandonment of self to the ecstasy and agony of experience beyond human control. It is perhaps ironic that in this instance Harker is saved by Dracula but really only for his own satisfaction at a later time.
Men are not irredeemable, the young Arthur has to sacrifice his own dear Lucy and his sense of duty and purpose is graphically illustrated by Stoker as he gives him divine status, albeit Nordic, with which to complete the job. The archetypal pure, tragic hero is Quincy Jones who is heralded by Van Hesling; "A brave man's blood is the best thing on this earth when a woman is in trouble. You're a man, and no mistake. Well, the devil may work against us for all he's worth, but God sends us men when we want them." (p 194).
These belief systems where challenged at the time of publication and can still be challenged now. The central Christian beliefs in love, goodness and truth have been appropriated by the secular world (hence non-aligned charities etc.). Stoker may have seen glimpses of this Bohemian appropriation in his time with the theatre but the distinct flavour of the book is that of, not so much a fallen humanity (and it is here that duality is perhaps avoided) as of the possibility that this can be arranged by succumbing to Dracula's kiss. Dracula, the blood-sucking parasite may live in all of us. Partner sites: Spanish Language Schools, Pit Bull, and Free Essays and Term Papers