'the Role of the Female Vampires in the Novel Is to Warn of the Dangers of Female Sexuality. Consider the Role of the Female Vampires in Light of This Statement'.

“The role of the female vampires in the novel is to warn of the dangers of female sexuality”

Consider the role of vampires in Dracula in the light of this comment.

‘Dracula’ written by Bram Stoker is a novel that exemplifies gothic literature. As well as featuring most of the key aspects of the gothic, including darkness and vampirism, it is evident that there are strong themes of female sexuality. The female vampires: Mina, Lucy and the three vampire brides can be argued as symbolising the dangers of female sexuality.

In the Victorian Society, women were constricted to very narrowed gender roles. Women could either be seen as pure and virginal, with maternal instincts and conforming to wifely duties, or alternatively be viewed as a ‘whore’, there was no middle ground, and this is how it appears to be in the novel. The characters of Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra represent this dichotomy, Mina being completely devoted to Jonathan and the embodiment of chastity, whilst Lucy has three suitors, suggesting her subtle promiscuity and desire to break social constraints. The men objectify her and each want her for their own different reasons. Holmwood wants her to be his wife, thus bringing in ‘new blood’ into the family and securing an heir, Seward wants someone to protect and therefore puts her on a pedestal, and Morris finds her stimulating and a passionate challenge. Lucy in this sense, becomes an object of the mens desires, rather than a woman. Vampirism therefore could be viewed as symbolism for the dangers of female sexuality. It can be argued that the threat the characters of Dracula poses in transforming these women becomes a battle that lies upon sexuality. That is to suggest that the real fear and danger he brings is not darkness and vampire nature, but the loss of female innocence, a trait which is extremely important to the men and also exemplary of the values prevalent in Victorian society. This is illustrated when Lucy goes out into the night at...