The New Woman Phenomenon - Essay Sample

Introduction

The book Dracula is a fictional work of Bram Stoker written during the 19th century when the Victorian era was dominant. During the period, the dominant concerns were the role of men and women in society. The book Dracula, although fictional, demonstrates the prominent characteristics of the Victorian era. Such characters as Lucy Westenra and Lucy Murray emulate the characteristics and behavior during the period. Other characters representing the feminine conversations and behaviors are the three daughters of Dracula. Analyzing how a woman has been presented in the novel and the events of the Victorian age, there are a lot of similarities particular in the concept of the 'New Woman,' a concept that is raised by Mina in her conversation with Lucy. Thus, this essay endeavors to explore the concept of the 'New Woman' Mina talks about and relate the phenomenon to the differences and similarities of the two female characters.

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Stoker focuses on the significant social changes that characterized the nineteenth century. Around the time Stoker wrote the novel, Britain was facing a change in the roles women played in the society, and these changes constituted the idea of the 'New Woman' Mina keeps refereeing to in the novel. The concept advocated for freedom of women in the three major aspects of economic dependence, sexuality, and politics (Prescott and Giorgio). However, it seemed that the general population, and especially men, found the idea unsettling.

The role of a woman, what they were meant to do, the activities they are allowed to participate in, their desires, and the responsibilities required of them began to be challenged during the Victorian era when the Stoker wrote Dracula. The topic of who is a woman and their role evoked hot issues and debates (Moore). In the numerous discussions, both men and women argued for the continual separation in both men and women spheres, in the liberation of women in such areas as education and financial independence (Moore).

Lucy, unfortunately, lacks the zeal and autonomy that leads her to fall for the vampiric curse of Dracula. Mina on the other hand 'fights' to be independent, supportive to her husband yet independent financially, and has the autonomy that prevents her from giving in to the societal expectations of being a woman (Stoker). These traits portray her as a 'New Woman,' on the contrary; Mina sexual reticent is however against the nature of sexual assertiveness that is associated with the 'New Woman.'

Once a woman got married, they were expected to fulfill their motherhood responsibilities, and be a wife who would attend to her home, submit and obey her husband's commands (Moore). These among other skills expected of a nineteenth-century woman defined the typical Victorian woman. In Dracula, Lucy demonstrates the suitability dominates all the above characteristics and her sexual promiscuity and writing to her proposed suitors (Moore). The New woman, on the other hand, is depicted as an independent woman in aspects of education and financial freedom. These women are liberal and do not allow themselves to be confined to the societal dictation of what they ought to do, how they should do it, or when they should do it (Boyd).

However, the New Woman characterization of being able to reject the traditional patriarchal system entirely raises reactions from both characters in the story and also other scholars like Kathryn Boyd. For instance, after Lucy and Mina have a long walk, Mina says, "...They should have shocked the 'New Woman' with their appetites" (Stoker 8.1). Later in the paragraph, she says, "the 'New Woman' will introduce the idea that men and women should be allowed to see each other asleep before proposing or accepting. But... the New Woman won't condescend in future to accept; she will do the proposing herself. And a nice job she will make of it, too!" (Stoker 8.1).

Throughout the narrative, Mina is depicted as the loyal and the intelligent woman. And although she is portrayed as the traditional woman, she has a job where she writes in shorthand. Stoker chooses to make Mina maintain her purity even when she has so many reasons not to, such as when Jonathan is trapped in Dracula's castle, she remains faithful (Stoker 72). Mina represents the values of a Victorian woman, and her purity makes be highly favored in Victorian society.

Although Mina represents the traditional Victorian woman, she also demonstrates the traits of a 'New Woman.' Her intelligence particularly describes these aspects in regards to modern technology. Her job required her to write in shorthand, a technique that was not known to many and also very independent (Stoker).

On the other hand, although Lucy was is depicted as 'New Woman,' she does not have a job, and much of her first writings are dominated by discussions of whether or not she was suitable for her prosed suitors (Boyd). Boyd suggests that Count Dracula's hyper-sexualized wives and Lucy are accurately more of the New Women, while Mina, being a wife and a mother, does not qualify to have the title (Boyd). However, Lucy's utterly reliant on the men is ironical because the very men who proposed ultimately kill her. Mina succeeds in turning her infection into the most significant advantage in fighting Dracula.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the concept of the New Woman urged for women freedom to self-pleasure, economic, sexual and political freedom. Although Mina represents the traditional Victorian woman, she also demonstrates the traits of a 'New Woman.' Her intelligence particularly demonstrates these aspects in regards to modern technology. On the other hand, although Lucy and Dracula daughter were typically considered as the 'New Women,' they lack autonomy, which results in their fall. Stoker has achieved much than giving the reader the historical events of the nineteenth century and the role of women during the period. It much clear now, that the topic of gender equality is as old as civilization and as a society we a role to play.

Works Cited

Boyd, Kathryn. "Making Sense of Mina: Stoker Vampirization of the Victorian Woman in Dracula." May 2014. Digital Commons@ Trinity. <https://digitalcommons.trinity.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=eng_honors>.

Moore, Samantha L. A "NEW" NEW WOMAN: THE PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN IN THE LATE. Ph.D. Thesis. Tyler: The University of Texas, 2012. <https://scholarworks.uttyler.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=english_grad>.

Prescott, Charles E., and Grace A. Giorgio. "VAMPIRIC AFFINITIES: MINA HARKER AND THE PARADOX OF FEMININITY IN BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA." Victorian Literature and Culture 33.2 (2005): 487-515. <https://doi.org/10.1017/S1060150305050953>.

Stoker, Bram. Dracula. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016.