A Literary Analysis of the Supernatural from a Sociological Point of View - Research Paper Example

? A LITERARY ANALYSIS OF THE SUPERNATURAL FROM A SOCIOLOGICAL POINT OF VIEW Dracula, one of the most renowned novel by Bram Stoker is not just a piece of everyday fiction but rather contains an entire generation in itself that incorporates various famous beliefs, thoughts, ideas that are belonging to the Victorian time period. In this novel the author Bram Stoker draws a detailed picture of what society looked like in his generation.Hence Bram stoker's Dracula is the outcome of the common fears that persisted during the Victorian age and Stokers perception of sexuality and homosexuality. The time this book was written the basic idea behind writing Dracula was to focus on sexuality, lust, or the evils that prevailed during that time in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century which was a time where conservatism was at its peak. During this time it was not considered to be ethical to talk about such topics like sex or homosexuality. A modest way to lead life was motivated.This thought and belief was highlighted in bold throughout the novel. In simple words it is humanly that a person desires tempt him to opt for things that are forbidden (Craft, 119). From a sociological point of view this book advocates that one cannot escape from the sexual desires that persist in oneself and hence a society where conservatism prevails such acts are more than likely to happen Hence in order to completely understand the essence of Stoker's Dracula we need to take into consideration the circumstance in which it was produced and the society at that time. Then only one can evaluate the evil through which the Dracula emerged. Dracula is a complete representation of a society during the Victorian age. Dracula was published and written before the legal suffrage movement initiated. This movement started in the early twentieth century which limited and constraint the desires and standard of women of that time. Although equality was appreciated and firm rules and regulations were set for both genders but somehow or the other men enjoyed more independence and pleasures as compared to women. Thus taking advantage of this situation they were provided with immense reasons to explain their desires of sexuality and other physical requirements. In such a situation women remained oppressed and victims of their lust of which they could not even complain hence this thinking leads to a belief that the women's sexual desires are worthless and hence should not persist. In such a case those women who had any internal sexual requirements were thought of as unnatural.(Scott, 638). Sexual desires were considered to be an influence of the powers of Satan. Hence in the novel Dracula three female vampires have been shown which are epitomes of all the characteristics a lady should not possess that is being attractive and sexually active. In this novel the sexual appeal of women along and the evil desires of men are highlighted. The conservatism that prevailed explains how amusing, gender biased and strict the laws were during the Victorian era. The reason behind developing such rules can be because at this time women were considered to be epitome innocence, purity, sensitivity as compared to the males of the society. This had another reason as well, if women did not limit her sexual desires, aggressiveness or expressiveness then they is real chances that they would lose their innocence, sensitivity and delicateness, they would become liberal and eventually the superiority of men and their dominance over women will completely be shattered. Those women who possessed any sort of sexual drive within them were considered and titled as having tainted their simplicity and were convicting of possessing the evil charm of lust therefore deviating from the path of God. In the book when Lucy changed into a lusty character then her image was considered to be tainted which conflicted her previous image when she was all mannered and conservative. Lucy who was an elegant lady after being victimized by the Dracula becomes inhuman and this was the point where things changed for her and she became sexually active."And as a vampire, Lucy's natural physical attractiveness comes out: her "purity" is turned "to voluptuous wantonness" (Stoker) The thought behind this novel and the incorporation of sex and homosexuality was actually a result of the author's real life incidents and perceptions. Stokers Dracula was the replica or a shadow of Vladislav Dracula itself. The homosexuality that has been so prominent in the entire novel is the result of his personal insecurities. During his time a really close friend of Stoker, Oscar Wilde was accused of homosexuality and was ultimately prosecuted for his actions. (Roditi, 204) This had a profound impact on Stoker and a major reason of exploiting this topic in this novel. Another reason what is assumed is through the incident of Oscar Wilde he wanted to cover up for his homosexual desires and insecurities that developed because of the restrictions which the society had implied on him. He was becoming a victim of his own sexual desires and some way or the other waned to justify his temptations. (Schaffer, 389-390) when Jonathon was being victimized by the Dracula his desire to gain ecstasy is portraying homosexuality. "I closed my eyes in a languorous ecstasy and waited – waited with beating heart." (Stoker) likewise Renfield even completely submits himself to the Dracula 'I am here to do Your bidding, Master. I am Your slave, and You will reward me." (Stoker) Rape was also touched in this novel. As women were considered to be slaves to a man's desire therefore they were victimized and advantages were taken of them. Since men were inherently dominant and nothing could be charged against them therefore women had to stay quiet and tolerate all nuisances that they did. This again proved that women were administered to limited rights whereas men were of free will and choice."With his left hand he held both MrsHarker's hands, keeping them away with her arms at full tension; his right hand gripped her by the back of the neck, forcing her face down on his bosom. Her white nightdress was smeared with blood, and a thin stream trickled down the man's bare breast which was shown by his torn-open dress" (Stoker) this is considered to be symbolizing rape when Mina was being victimized infront of her husband. Hence Dracula expresses the desires of all those who are bound to the rules and regulations set by the society and some way or the other want to escape from it. Dracula constitutes of the three major themes and behaviors that during his time were supposed as the supreme sexual ugly realities, these perversion are a women who was sexually aggressive or excited, the man who exercises his force and power on women resulting in raping them and finally the most essential and controversial topic that is a homosexual man. This is still undecided that Stokers purpose was to give honor to his mate or to satisfy his homosexuality. It can also be a battle against those forces of the society that persuaded him to oppress his needs, because of the limitations that were prescribed by the society which internally caused resentment to develop among the masses. Thus in this book Stoker takes a step forward, overcomes all the censors that the society had laid and promoted his message which was against the prevailing rules and regulation that limited him and others in the society. In this book he openly condemns the system of the society. WORKS CITED Scott, Anne L. "Physical Purity Feminism and State Medicine in Late Nineteenth-Century England." Women's History Review. 8.4 (1999): 625-653. Print. Schaffer, Talia. ""a Wilde Desire Took Me": the Homoerotic History of Dracula." Elh. 61.2 (1994): 381-425. Print. Craft, Christopher. ""kiss Me with Those Red Lips": Gender and Inversion in Bram Stoker's Dracula." Representations. (1984): 107-133. Print. Roditi, Edouard. Oscar Wilde. Norfolk, Conn: New Directions Books, 1947. Print. Stoker, Bram. Dracula. Charlottesville, Va: University of Virginia Library, 1996. Internet resource. Read More