The label of hero is not just used for men but also for women. There are many examples of female heroes’ in movies and in literature. However, it didn’t start out that way. In the 1800s, European society expected for any woman portrayed in literature to exhibit certain characteristics. Generally, women tended to be weak willed, primarily interested in marriage, and rarely, if ever, encountered real hardship. These are now well worn stereotypes. While these traits can be found in many of the female characters in novels written during this era, the book Dracula, written by Bram Stoker in 1897, deviated from this stereotype. Two of the main female characters, Mina and Lucy, represented the types of women that were known during that time. Comparing
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Lucy uses words and phrases such as “just fancy!” and “isn’t it awful!” These words were considered to be extremely feminine and overly dramatic. Men in the novel do not use these particular phrases. Lucy’s use of the phrase “isn’t it awful” to describe a situation that is anything but awful, is an example of her tendency to over exaggerate. However, when comparing Mina’s writing, it has a more subdued and serious tone. Lucy’s word choices are more playful and have more youthful connotations. Mina’s letters and journal entries give the reader a sense that she is more adult-like and serious compared to Lucy. Mina rarely uses exclamation points or ironic phrases in her letters. Also, she uses work place and technical vocabulary, such as shorthand, interviewing, stenograph, and practice. These words have a more masculine, and serious connotation as they are associated with work and putting in effort. These words also convey a sense that Mina is more serious and grown up, as they show she is part of the work …show more content…
When doctor Van Helsing compliments Mina, he says, “Ah, that wonderful Madam Mina! She has man’s brain…” (Stoker 261). First, while Van Helsing is saying Mina is smart, he compares her to men rather than other women. This is probably due to the thought at the time that women were not as capable as men. By comparing Mina to a man, Van Helsing gives her an exemplary compliment by saying she is not an “ordinary woman.” His compliments are not about her physical appearance, but rather her intelligence. This is a move away from the classic female character, where physical appearance is what is most noticed and complimented. According to the authors of Vampiric Affinities: Mina Harker and the Paradox of Femininity in Bram Stoker 's "Dracula", Charles E. Prescott and Grace A. Giorgio, the two state that the character was developed, “on the cusp of overdeveloped boundaries that were undergoing extensive revision” during the end of the Victorian era (Prescott and Giorgio 487). This may explain why the words used to describe Mina were much different than what would be used traditionally to describe a woman. The two authors also regard the character as “‘extremely hard to place,’ both ‘an unmoored sign of change as well as a firm attempt to hold the line against the New Woman’” (Prescott and Giorgio 488). While it is true Mina’s character is
Lucy uses words and phrases such as “just fancy!” and “isn’t it awful!” These words were considered to be extremely feminine and overly dramatic. Men in the novel do not use these particular phrases. Lucy’s use of the phrase “isn’t it awful” to describe a situation that is anything but awful, is an example of her tendency to over exaggerate. However, when comparing Mina’s writing, it has a more subdued and serious tone. Lucy’s word choices are more playful and have more youthful connotations. Mina’s letters and journal entries give the reader a sense that she is more adult-like and serious compared to Lucy. Mina rarely uses exclamation points or ironic phrases in her letters. Also, she uses work place and technical vocabulary, such as shorthand, interviewing, stenograph, and practice. These words have a more masculine, and serious connotation as they are associated with work and putting in effort. These words also convey a sense that Mina is more serious and grown up, as they show she is part of the work …show more content…
When doctor Van Helsing compliments Mina, he says, “Ah, that wonderful Madam Mina! She has man’s brain…” (Stoker 261). First, while Van Helsing is saying Mina is smart, he compares her to men rather than other women. This is probably due to the thought at the time that women were not as capable as men. By comparing Mina to a man, Van Helsing gives her an exemplary compliment by saying she is not an “ordinary woman.” His compliments are not about her physical appearance, but rather her intelligence. This is a move away from the classic female character, where physical appearance is what is most noticed and complimented. According to the authors of Vampiric Affinities: Mina Harker and the Paradox of Femininity in Bram Stoker 's "Dracula", Charles E. Prescott and Grace A. Giorgio, the two state that the character was developed, “on the cusp of overdeveloped boundaries that were undergoing extensive revision” during the end of the Victorian era (Prescott and Giorgio 487). This may explain why the words used to describe Mina were much different than what would be used traditionally to describe a woman. The two authors also regard the character as “‘extremely hard to place,’ both ‘an unmoored sign of change as well as a firm attempt to hold the line against the New Woman’” (Prescott and Giorgio 488). While it is true Mina’s character is