Bram Stoker's Dracula: Social and Psychological Dilemmas of the Late 19th Century

BRAM STOKER 'S DRACULA ESSAY PACKET

Day One

1. Distribution of books
2. Essay Assignment and Due Date
3. Dracula Trivia Game
4. Quick Passive Voice Review
5. Homework: chapters 1-4

Essay Assignment

1. Due date:
2. Introduction Type: your choice
3. Length: Four paragraphs
4. Highlight "to be" verbs
5. Underline commentary
6. Use once and label these patterns in the right-hand margin: # 1, # 2, # 5, # 7, # 9
7. Use only the book and class discussions/exercises as sources
8. Follow all MLA guidelines, including proper heading, page numbering, in-text citations, and Works Cited page
9. Avoid passive voice, and strive for flawless grammar and mechanics
10. Title the paper

Topics

1. One of the more controversial aspects of the novel, even today, is the manner in which the characters in the book struggle to perform the often macabre and sacrilegious duties necessary to eliminate vampires while simultaneously struggling to accept the impropriety of their actions. In a four-paragraph essay that details key events from the novel, interpret this struggle and its meaning for both the characters and the book as a whole. Be sure to explore the scenes you choose thoroughly, providing enough concrete detail and commentary to generate a paper that is original and thought-provoking.
2. Dracula is not only a well-written and formally inventive sensation novel but also one of the most important expressions of the social and psychological dilemmas of the late nineteenth-century. For obvious reasons, the intellectual content of the novel has not been taken seriously; yet it deserves to be, for it remains a powerful record of social pressures and anxieties. The novel was written at the height of Victorian sexual repression; the Count himself has come to represent all the sexual dreads that our culture has not exorcised or come to terms with: non-procreative sexuality, promiscuity, bisexuality, incest, even (indirectly, through the preferences of the

Cited: page 9. Avoid passive voice, and strive for flawless grammar and mechanics 10. Title the paper Topics 1. One of the more controversial aspects of the novel, even today, is the manner in which the characters in the book struggle to perform the often macabre and sacrilegious duties necessary to eliminate vampires while simultaneously struggling to accept the impropriety of their actions. In a four-paragraph essay that details key events from the novel, interpret this struggle and its meaning for both the characters and the book as a whole. Be sure to explore the scenes you choose thoroughly, providing enough concrete detail and commentary to generate a paper that is original and thought-provoking. 2. Dracula is not only a well-written and formally inventive sensation novel but also one of the most important expressions of the social and psychological dilemmas of the late nineteenth-century. For obvious reasons, the intellectual content of the novel has not been taken seriously; yet it deserves to be, for it remains a powerful record of social pressures and anxieties. The novel was written at the height of Victorian sexual repression; the Count himself has come to represent all the sexual dreads that our culture has not exorcised or come to terms with: non-procreative sexuality, promiscuity, bisexuality, incest, even (indirectly, through the preferences of the vampirized Lucy) the sexuality of children. In a four-paragraph essay, examine Stoker 's exploration of some, or all, of these fears and their impact on the meaning of the novel as a whole. In your paper, attempt to cover several sections of the book so that readers get a sense of the entire story in conjunction with your topic; explore your scenes with careful attention to both Stoker 's detail and your own original interpretations. 3. Throughout the book, Stoker 's "vampire as aristocrat" is often gentlemanly, intelligent, passionate, intense, narcissistic, and downright evil--juxtapositions keenly at odds with many modern interpretations of Dracula or vampire lore, including the films Twilight, Near Dark, 30 Days of Night, Blade, and Van Helsing. In a four-paragraph essay, explore this contradiction in both the novel and in at least one work that presents a conflicting interpretation of the vampire. Your essay should not treat the two works separately, but rather unite them in an effort to say something evocative about these interpretations. (Note: you do not necessarily need to use these films, or even a film at all; these are just examples). 4. Universal Monsters or Universal Horror is the name given to the distinctive series of horror films, suspense films, and science fiction films made by Universal Studios in California from 1923 to 1960. The approach encompassed such movies as Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Wolfman. With their iconic gallery of monsters, Universal would create a lasting impression on generations of avid moviegoers around the world. In class, we will watch two of these classic films throughout our reading of Stoker’s novel (you may watch the third on your own, if you choose). In a four-paragraph essay, choose one of the movies with which to compare or contrast the novel Dracula. Your comparison/contrast might involve, throughout both works, the various aspects of “monster folklore”; the themes of revenge, love, and madness; elements of the supernatural and the “suspension of disbelief”; elements of tragedy, and how this tragedy arouses not only pity but also fear; and possibly more. Students may also choose to write about Nosferatu for this topic.