Gender Roles In Dracula

In Dracula, the normal gender roles are reversed, and the traditional Victorian readers are treated with an epic novel that does give the women the power over men. Gender and sexuality have been changing gradually, and its role in the society has equally been changing. In a succinct way, the change in the gender roles combined with the use of gothic descriptions gives this novel a very powerful impact on various aspects in the society. Gender provides a crucial role in this book with Count Dracula being entangled in different incidences that give feminism an underhand. The dynamics of sexuality and gender are important in the following in Dracula.
First, gender dynamics in Dracula are used by women to gain some favours. A notable example is
As the novel progresses the roles of women become much more tied on the commands of men in the novel. The men as it is always expected in the society provide commands that are viewed as largely oppressive to women. In Dracula, it is seen that male characters are protective of the women counterparts with closer examples being Lucy Westenra and Mina Harker. Both Lucy and Mina seem to be protected, but it is in a chivalrous way that seems to put their male counterparts in an advantageous position. Male dominance in shown by Count Dracula who has a misogynist view towards women. Dracula states that ‘' I am alone in these castle with the awful women'' (Stoker, 167) Even though Count Dracula does not show openly that he hates women his actions clearly depict this aspect. In the castle, the three sisters are presented with instructions that require them to follow all the instructions that are presented by Dracula. While talking to Helsing, Count states that Lucy and Mina are under his command and he can do whatever he wishes with them. Ideally, Dracula engages in Victorian male imagination aspects. Female sexuality is a factor that is used to depict how women moved away from their earlier historical roles to newer roles. A Victorian woman was expected to be two things in the society; she was either a virgin or a wife. If a woman was neither a wife nor a virgin, she was deemed as a prostitute. Braham
Traditional Victorian aspects are entirely reversed by Braham Stoker as women are much more powerful in this novel because of dynamism in gender and sexuality. From Mina who helps Dracula in London to Lucy who effectively uses her beauty and perfect sexual appearance to devour on men. The traditional roles of both sexes are reversed in Dracula. A woman in Dracula is much more powerful, knowledgeable and ruthless. Despite the use of Gothic aspects, Braham Stoker manages to present Dracula as a novel that effectively portrays women as much more powerful as men due to the dynamism in aspects like