Gender Roles In Dracula

In the novel, Mina defies boundaries by being self-reliant. An example of this can be seen in the beginning of the novel. Initially, when Jonathan is away with Count Dracula, Mina does not have any dependence on Jonathan for living. She can bring in her own income by being a school teacher assistant. Not only does Mina take care of herself but she also takes care of Lucy. For instance, this is demonstrated when Mina has to be cautious of Lucy’s sleepwalking, “Then, too, Lucy, although she is so well, has lately taken to her old habit of walking in her sleep” (105). One night, Lucy even sleepwalks outside and it is left up to Mina to find her. As Lucy’s mother is getting older she cannot fully take care of her daughter. Hence, Mina takes the

These roles were extremely stereotypical as anywhere one looks the same picture is painted. For example, Gunnhildur Magnusd describes this social expectation as: “Their duty, as a woman, along with having children, was to create and sustain a serene and relaxing environment within the home, where the husband could be at leisure after a day at work”(7). Another portrayal of these expectations is shown through Jennifer Levine’s article, “The Reclamation of the Monstrous Female”, in which she describes: “The concept of the Angel in the House—the pure, virtuous, non-sexualized female—is one of the most monolithic and immobile depictions of the Victorian womanhood” (1). As one can see, the descriptions are not different at all as females had a rigid characterized perception from society. Both depict the Victorian woman as the perfect, compassionate, wife that takes care of the children and covers up. On the other hand, the male must be able to financially support his family, strong, and protective. However, these cliché roles do not apply to Jonathan and Mina. After Jonathan’s stay at the castle, he becomes extremely weak, physically and mentally. Hence, it is Mina who steps up and takes care of him. Although it is also part of a woman’s duty to take care of her husband, Mina did much more than make him soup and give him ice packs. Due to his injuries being so extensive, the couple actually marries in the hospital. As a wedding gift, Mina wraps up his journal, with all the horrifying accounts of his stay, and promises to not read it unless deemed necessary. She eventually decides to read the journal due to Jonathan’s scarred mental state. Looking at this journal was truly courage in the sight of horror and so she reaches out to Van Helsing for help. A female initiating the actions and even keeping this from her husband to protect him does not