Analysis of “Dracula” by Bram Stoker

How does Bram Stoker’s Dracula utilize the idea of the New Woman or the True Woman to convey the importance of the values of society in the Victorian era? How can this applied to modern society? In the novel, Dracula, Bram Stoker utilizes the idea of New Woman and True woman to show how societal norms impact the actions of characters. Through the novel, the societal norms impact how the characters behave such as a transition in character’s personalities after becoming a vampire.

Through the novel, many characters experience dramatic transformations. While visibly, a character, such as Lucy, transforms from human to vampire, Stoker also emphasizes the True vs. New Woman ideology within the scene.
Evidence

“Arthur! Oh, my love, I am so glad you have come! Kiss me!” Arthur bent eagerly over to kiss her; but at that instant Van Helsing, who, like me, had been startled by her voice, swooped upon him, and catching him by the neck with both hands, dragged him back with a fury of strength which I never thought he could have possessed, and actually hurled him almost across the room.” (Stoker)

Stoker’s commentary on gender is ever-present through the novel. Particularly, through characters like Lucy or the Three Women, Stoker is able to portray his commentary on the societal norms for women. Some of this commentary could still be applicable in modern day.

“Well, I must tell you about the three, but you must keep it a secret, dear, from every one, except, of course, Jonathan. You will tell him, because I would, if I were in your place, certainly tell Arthur. A woman ought to tell her husband everything—don’t you think so, dear?—and I must be fair. Men like women, certainly their wives, to be quite as fair as they are; and women, I am afraid, are not always quite as fair as they should be.” (Stoker)

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