Mina Murray Harker is a woman to inspire many. Bram Stoker, author of the classic gothic horror novel Dracula, intentionally creates the character of Mina Murray Harker to do just that - inspire women. Throughout Dracula, Mina goes through a multitude of ups and downs, like any character in a book. However, Mina is not like any other book character. She is a strong, independent, intelligent woman who breaks gender and societal barriers. Stoker’s writing begs the question, how does Mina break societal barriers, but at the same time possess many traditional abilities and behaviors? Based in the late 1800’s in Victorian England, women were not likely to be educated and independent, but rather submissive to their husbands. Stoker creates Mina’s “New Woman” persona to develop the novel into more than the audience of the time would expect. Mina occupies inspirational qualities such as loyalty and strength, as well as finding a balance between her independence and not overstepping societal boundaries. The loyalty Mina presents to each character in the novel is uplifting. Due to the nature of their relationships, Mina’s loyalty is mostly shown to Jonathan and Lucy. When Jonathan Harker, Mina’s fiancée at the time, was being held prisoner at Castle Dracula, Mina remains a loyal fiancée to him, in hopes of his return. Upon discovering Jonathan had escaped Castle Dracula and was seeking shelter at a convent, Mina rushes to his side to support him through his mental