Lair Of The White Worm And The Victorian Era
Although The Lair of the White Worm is not one of Bram Stoker’s most acclaimed novels, its characteristics help to maintain its importance in the literary world. Not only did he challenge the traditional gender roles for women, he also incorporated many of the same themes from the Victorian/Gothic literary period. In the Victorian England society, women were considered weak and inferior to men, which is why many believed they functioned best for society in the home taking care of the husbands and children. (Hughes, n.p.). Women were supposed to view marriage as a way to raise a family instead of using it to fill an emotional or sexual void. (Hughes, n.p.). The “ideal woman” in the Victorian era was one who was fully devoted to her family,
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(Barrett, n.p.). The most prevalent theme in Stoker’s novel is the battle of good versus evil. Although the intentions of Lady Arabella and Caswall are never made clear, it is evident throughout the book they are the villains that Adam and Sir Nathaniel, an old Salton family friend, have to defeat. “As the sand is being poured into the well-hole at intervals, large quantities of dynamite can also be thrown in!” (Stoker 256). Here, Adam and Sir Nathaniel are coming up with possible ways to finally destroy the white worm. Stoker’s novel also explored the idea of supernatural powers with Lady Arabella’s character also being the white worm and the psychic staring matches between Mimi and Mr. Caswall. It was never explained whether or not Lady Arabella is able to shapeshift into the white worm or if a spirit takes the form of her body, however, it is clear that she is in some way related to the serpent. “‘Would it not be well, sir, if some one of us should see this monster in her real shape at close quarters?” (Stoker 219). Mr. Caswall made it a priority to try and find one of Mimi’s weaknesses after she defeated him in the first match. “He [Mr. Caswall] began his preliminary stare with a conscious sense of power, and, as it appeared to have immediate effect on the girl, he felt an ever-growing conviction of ultimate victory.” (Stoker 268). The Lair of the White Worm was also focused around the ideas of life, death, and the
(Barrett, n.p.). The most prevalent theme in Stoker’s novel is the battle of good versus evil. Although the intentions of Lady Arabella and Caswall are never made clear, it is evident throughout the book they are the villains that Adam and Sir Nathaniel, an old Salton family friend, have to defeat. “As the sand is being poured into the well-hole at intervals, large quantities of dynamite can also be thrown in!” (Stoker 256). Here, Adam and Sir Nathaniel are coming up with possible ways to finally destroy the white worm. Stoker’s novel also explored the idea of supernatural powers with Lady Arabella’s character also being the white worm and the psychic staring matches between Mimi and Mr. Caswall. It was never explained whether or not Lady Arabella is able to shapeshift into the white worm or if a spirit takes the form of her body, however, it is clear that she is in some way related to the serpent. “‘Would it not be well, sir, if some one of us should see this monster in her real shape at close quarters?” (Stoker 219). Mr. Caswall made it a priority to try and find one of Mimi’s weaknesses after she defeated him in the first match. “He [Mr. Caswall] began his preliminary stare with a conscious sense of power, and, as it appeared to have immediate effect on the girl, he felt an ever-growing conviction of ultimate victory.” (Stoker 268). The Lair of the White Worm was also focused around the ideas of life, death, and the