Roles of Mina and Lucy in Dracula English Literature Essay
Introduction. Bram Stoker's Dracula provides a complex portrayal of female characters. The novel's central figures, Lucy and Mina, are not examples of a typical Victorian-era woman. Dracula was written when society was already experiencing a conflict between a conservative section that stood up for gender roles. Conversely, Mina appears to be content with her monogamous status in society and does not feel the need to use her feminine sensuality to prove anything. In fact, Mina's possible sexual desires remain unknown in the novel. By presenting Mina in this way, Stoker creates a stark contrast between Lucy and Mina's sexuality. Mina is an example of the conservative side of the New Woman. She embraces some agency, but most of it is at the service of the men in her life. Lucy and Mina are both Victorian women struggling with newfound freedoms and grappling with the restrictions that still exist. While Lucy perhaps leans more towards the gratuitous version of the New Woman, and Mina Harker is the embodiment of the stereotypical Victorian era woman. Mina tends to be more conservative and essentially has the image of perfection. Dr. Van Helsing, an expert Dutch professor, once described Mina as a heavenly woman. Mina, explained by Dr. Van Helsing, “is one of God's women, formed by his own hand, Ref A: F87A1A2D1BCC42548EBE4ACD5F4E69B B: VIEEDGE C: 2023-05-12T02:16:05Z Roles of Mina and Lucy in the English Literature of Dracula EssayRef A: F1EBAA35746745F1A747A42051 03A B : VIEEDGE C: 2023-05-10T09:48:33Z Roles of Mina and Lucy in Dracula English literature essayRef A: 7E319E165F0641C1BD00F8B08F B: VIEEDGE C: 05-26T14:13:58Z Roles of Mina and Lucy In Dracula English literature essay