Masculinity In Dracula

Bram Stoker’s Dracula has many examples of Gender Criticism throughout the text. While most male characters tend to be masculine in the Victorian era in which it was written, there are many instances where these male characters exhibit feminine characteristics. There are also female characters that take on a masculine role, completely deviating from their normal conforming feminine ways of the time. Understanding what normal man and woman behaviors are for this period in time is essential in pointing out the inconsistencies that make certain characters seem out of the normal expectations. The Victorian era is one that differs from conformities of today. During the course of the story it is written from many points of view, it is told through

Dracula portrays characters opposite of their typical gender role of the Victorian era that would be acceptable in modern time.

Throughout the story, there are many examples of gender oriented criticism. Women such as Mina and the vampire brides show their masculinity in a variety of ways. This masculinity is not the normal way that women are perceived in this time of the story. Mina is a strong female lead character. She is an assistant schoolmistress with a passion for learning the new technology of her time, is very intelligent and independent, and a very hard worker. Van Helsing raves of Mina, “Ah, that wonderful Madam Mina! She has a man’s brain-a brain that a man should have were he much gifted-and

Mina tried to distance herself from the New Woman by pointing out things like she ate so much at tea time that she would have shocked the New Woman with her appetite. Mina also references that fact that the New Women “will introduce the idea that men and women should be allowed to see each other asleep before proposing or accepting” (111). Mina is just expressing what the New Woman would do while excluding herself from being tied to them. Mina is very smart and this is a way for her to keep herself from being viewed as one of them. If someone is viewed as different and a threat to others why would one want to connect themselves to that person or group. It is easier to exist in a world where you conform to the expected standards rather than draw unwanted attention to one’s self. Eventually the more independent or progressive women developed and views changed. Nowadays when a man has more feminine ways and characteristics or a woman has more masculine traits, it does not stand out as abnormal. Understanding gender traits and how they relate to the era in which they are being explored help a reader to understand what is actually being written. A story that is written in a different era should be read with an open mind and with an intent to understand what the author is actually trying to portray in the usage of gender