The fascination with vampires never wanes, much like the undead creatures themselves, and Bram Stoker's Dracula remains a pivotal exploration of this interest. The novel intricately engages with themes of female victimization and serves as a critique of the "New Woman," a feminist emblem of the late nineteenth century. Through characters like Mina, Stoker juxtaposes traditional women against this emerging figure, using the narrative to express a conservative viewpoint on gender roles and sexuality.

Women and Vampirism

In Dracula, the depiction of women starts with the introduction of the female vampire. The narrative begins with the three vampiric women residing in Dracula’s castle and later focuses on Lucy, Dracula’s first English victim. These characters symbolize fears surrounding the New Woman by embodying aggressive female sexuality. In contrast to the empowered, uninhibited female vampires, Mina is crafted to represent the ideal Victorian woman, who is well-educated yet dismissive of the New Woman’s sexual autonomy.

The Transition from Victim to Savior

The novel's structure evolves from focusing on the victimhood of women to a broader battle against vampirism, mirroring Stoker's metaphorical war against the New Woman. Initially, Lucy becomes a vessel for exploring the latent traits of the New Woman. When vampirized, Lucy embodies this modern archetype, confronting the men with her unrestrained desires and breaking from societal norms. However, the narrative quickly reasserts patriarchal control as Van Helsing and others intervene, ultimately subduing the New Woman's threat by destroying Lucy.

Mina: The Battleground of Ideologies

Mina, while embodying Victorian ideals, is not immune to the influence of vampirism, or metaphorically, the New Womanhood. Dracula’s seduction of Mina signifies the encroachment of new ideologies, as she unwillingly partakes in a symbolic act of rebellion against traditional values. Her husband’s oblivion during this act highlights the vulnerability of the patriarchal order. Yet, the male protagonists, determined to maintain social structures, rally to save Mina from this insidious transformation, reinforcing the preservation of Victorian norms.

Van Helsing's Crusade

Dr. Seward and Van Helsing's mission to eradicate Dracula becomes a metaphorical endeavor to reclaim patriarchal order by eradicating the influence of the New Woman. Their actions underscore the novel’s core message: a resistance against the acceptance of the New Woman, ensuring the continuity of traditional female roles. By ultimately vanquishing Dracula, the narrative concludes with the restoration of order, reinforcing the values of the era by subduing the metaphorical threat posed by the New Woman.

In essence, Stoker’s Dracula is a narrative deeply embedded in the sociocultural fabric of its time, serving as a counterpoint to feminist movements. The destruction of Dracula symbolizes the suppression of the New Woman, reflecting a societal anxiety about changing gender roles and maintaining the patriarchal status quo. Through its allegorical battle against vampirism, the novel articulates Stoker's resistance to the evolving dynamics of womanhood, reaffirming traditional values in the face of burgeoning social change.