The Oppression Of Women In Bram Stoker's Dracula

During the Victorian era women were viewed as a parallel of the prevalent discrepancies between the UK’s power and wealth, then versus now now. The 1800’s were characterized with the stereotype of abundant and inconspicuous taboo sexualities. The mere thought of any sexual desire would cause an uproar. The attire reflected the general consensus of how people were viewed. Desire and modesty were forces that passed over to modern times.

Victorian woman only had two options at the time: they could either be a virgin, an image of purity, or she is a wife and mother, following their husband’s every wish without inquiry. If they choose the latter, she is marked as a whore. Over time women have began to fight for their right vote and have

equal standings in the workplace. “Until the late nineteenth century a wife did not have a legal right to hold property in her own name separately from her husband. Husband and wife were regarded as one person in [the eyes of the] law, and the husband held all the property,” (Finola). Even in the 19th and 20th century did not have the right to own property. Muslim cultures still do not have equal rights for women. “Nevertheless, while women's organizations found it easy to take a firm and consistent stand as patriots, they were a bit uncomfortable when it came to accepting the priorities and tactics dictated by male-dominated political parties and the emerging political differences amongst the men of two major political parties i.e. the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League,”(Sabiha).
Mina and Lucy, the only female characters, and narrators, are depicted in a profusion of description by Stoker.

He collocates Mina and Lucy throughout Dracula in order compare and contrast the two drastically different categories of women that existed in the Victorian era: innocent and submissive women versus the dangerous and rebellious ones who want to break free from the sexist stereotypes. Although they both have opposite views of how woman should live, both girls acknowledge the belief that men are more dominant and diligent than women: "My dear Mina, why are men so noble when we women are so little worthy of them?" (Stoker

96).
Stoker uses Mina to aid in the image of what a Victorian woman is supposed to be like.

A woman who uses her accomplished skills to procure for her husband, Jonathan Harker. Stoker uses the way Mina speaks to show her interminable dedication to her husband: "I have been working very hard lately, because I want to keep up with Jonathan's studies, and I have been practicing shorthand very assiduously" (Stoker 86). In addition to her full time job, she takes the time to learn shorthand to "be useful to Jonathan" (Stoker 86).

Opposite of Mina, Lucy falls with the other kind of Victorian women. She is not viewed as emotionally attached to only one man. She is described as a voluptuous woman. The different men all propose to her. Lucy is very conflicted and asked Mina, "Why can't they let a girl marry three men, or as many as want her, and save all this trouble?" (Stoker 96). Although she would love to do that if she could, she knows that what she said was heresy after saying it. It shows that although she is seen as bad and immoral in the Victorian culture, it does not stop her from crossing the boundaries set up by

society.
Stoker uses Mina and Lucy's characters to reiterate his sexist and Victorian beliefs about the roles of each gender in society. The social roles of the time included women being lower on the social totem pole than men in all aspects of life. Through Mina's character, Stoker presents the ideal Victorian woman and her process of survival. He also includes what happens to women when they feel as though they should be seen as equivalent to men. Women who try to use their sexuality to gain power, will end up ruined, just like Lucy.