While a close reading of Stoker's Dracula produces the conclusion that Stoker was condemning female sexuality, his ambivalent stance toward the "New Woman" brings to question Stoker's opinions on the fervent feminist debates happening during his lifetime.
Textually, Dracula portrays sexual women as literal monsters. Any displays of female sexuality were signs of a degeneration into a vampiric state. Therefore, the novel is oft criticized for having a sexist nature. However, when Stoker directly addresses the "New Woman" through Mina's journal, it is quite an ambivalent statement: "I believe we should have shocked the 'New Woman' with our appetites" is all that Mina says. The statement is neither critical nor supportive of the New Woman.
Biographically, Stoker gives no indication toward his stance on the New Woman or feminism. His mother, Charlotte Mathilda Blake Thornley Stoker, strongly supported feminism (Wainright). One would think, given this upbringing, Bram Stoker would continue his mother's plight for gender equality. However, history has marked him a misogynist based on the common interpretation of his most popular work. He never refuted nor supported this label. In sum, it cannot be concluded whether or not Stoker agreed with the patriarchal message of Dracula, as biographical evidence points to both sides.
Stoker, Bram. “Dracula.” Constable,
London, 2012. 1897. Print.
Wainright, Michael. "Female Suffrage in Ireland: James Joyce's Realization of Unrealized Potential." Highbeam Business. N.p., 22 Sept. 2009. Web.
I find this post rather interesting. I have not read Dracula myself nor am I familiar with his background. However, the portrayal of the sexual woman as a monster is a very common literary trope and stereotype even today. It can be seen in Ancient Latin and Greek Literature such as the Odyssey, as well as in the way we view sexual overtness today. Many people still find a female empowered by her sexuality to be disgusting or inappropriate, while men's sexual lives are hardly ever criticized in this manner. It is interesting to address how little society's view of a sexual woman has progressed.
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