the real story

[dwdean]

one might say that the true message of Shelley's "Frankenstein" is not about a man and his created being, it is about the relationship between society and man. that man was created pure and that through interaction with a judgmental and loveless society man becomes callous and cruel.

if this is the "message" behind Shelley's work, what would be the message behind Stoker's Dracula?

some hold that it is all a sexual metaphor (stake insertion, death and sex often synonymous in literature, etc etc) but i just don't see that. help me see it, or show me another option.

[Dark Muse]

I do believe that sexual metaphor is a very strong part of the story of Dracula, I do not know if I would say it is ALL that but I do not think it can be discounted as important either. In fact I found the scene in which Dracula appears to Mina and bites her to be extremely erotic.

Dracula does present the "dangers" as it would have so been seen at that time of feminine whiles and women who give into and embrace their passions, who acknowledge themselves as sexual beings. We see how Lucy in the eyes of the men becomes grotesque in her lascivious behavior, and how they are both compelled and repulsed by this vision of a woman putting her sensuality upon open display.

It is also man's fear of his own carnal desires and instincts and not wanting to admit his "baser nature" and that animal instinct. Dracula represents what man would be if he did not restrain himself if like a wild animal he acted fully upon his true nature.

[dwdean]

i have mistakingly forgotten that scene. upon review i would agree that yes, it is very erotic. while many scenes throughout the work are erotic, the point, the intended purpose of those many colorful scenes is still something to be explored. i would say that you give a strong point. Lucy does become grotesque in the eyes of her once lovers...

ahhhhh i must be honest. Dracula is the favored of my studies thus far. i would hope that Stoker has something more to offer in this so great work than the "revolutionary" idea that women are sexual beings. for this deeper message i will continue to search.

any further ideas or guidance would be most appreciated.

[G L Wilson]

Dracula is wimpy Victorian garbage which would be best burnt.

[dwdean]

Dracula is wimpy Victorian garbage which would be best burnt.

haha oh my good G L i do hope you say this only in jest.
Dracula is far from garbage. if this truly reflects your feelings towards the work, maybe your taste in literature ought to be re-evaluated

[G L Wilson]

haha oh my good G L i do hope you say this only in jest.
Dracula is far from garbage. if this truly reflects your feelings towards the work, maybe your taste in literature ought to be re-evaluated

The true horror of Dracula is the sexualised being, the book is the very height of Victorian prudery. It shouldn't be burnt, it should be laughed out of existence.

[dwdean]

The true horror of Dracula is the sexualised being, the book is the very height of Victorian prudery. It shouldn't be burnt, it should be laughed out of existence.

are you saying that the horror which is presented in the text is feminine sexuality?

[G L Wilson]

are you saying that the horror which is presented in the text is feminine sexuality?

No, all sexuality.

[dwdean]

No, all sexuality.

do you offer any proof for this idea?

[G L Wilson]

Orwell thought that Dracula was absurd also but he thought that it would never stop being popular and he is probably right.

[dwdean]

Orwell thought that Dracula was absurd also but he thought that it would never stop being popular and he is probably right.

probability is not proof. although, "absence of evidence is not evidence for absence."

i would hope there is more to the work than a statement concerning the horrors of sexuality in general. i will feel truly let down if that is the case

[Dark Muse]

probability is not proof. although, "absence of evidence is not evidence for absence."

i would hope there is more to the work than a statement concerning the horrors of sexuality in general. i will feel truly let down if that is the case

In my personal opinion you should just enjoy the story which is fabulously written, and not let your enjoyment of it be dependent upon how sophisticated or intellectual the meaning is.

[dwdean]

Muse,

that is true. i will always treasure Dracula as one of my favorites. i sometimes read to much into literature. if only a story, it was most assuredly a good one.

[G L Wilson]

Muse,

that is true. i will always treasure Dracula as one of my favorites. i sometimes read to much into literature. if only a story, it was most assuredly a good one.

It is not my sort of thing but I can see how it could have literary merit.