In-Class Assignment: Keywords for Research

For my research paper, I have decided to focus on the masculinity and femininity in Dracula. The more specific theme is how Dracula uses power and masculinity to take power over Jonathan Harker and his other victims and how in Dracula, Stoker’s definition of masculinity and power acts as a central theme, contrasting feminity.

Terms:

Fear: “The emotion of pain or uneasiness caused by the sense of impending danger, or by the prospect of some possible evil.” (Oxford English Dictionary)

Dominance: “The fact or position of being dominant; paramount influence, ascendancy, dominion, sway” (Oxford English Dictionary)

Masculinity — “The state or fact of being masculine; the assemblage of qualities regarded as characteristic of men; maleness, manliness.” (Oxford English Dictionary)

Femininity — “Behaviour or qualities regarded as characteristic of a woman; feminine quality or characteristics; womanliness.” (Oxford English Dictionary)

Seduction: “The action of inducing (a woman) to surrender her chastity.” (Oxford English Dictionary)

Intimidation: “The action of intimidating or making afraid; the fact or condition of being intimidated; now, esp. the use of threats or violence to force to or restrain from some action.” (Oxford English Dictionary)

Power: “Ability to act or affect something strongly; physical or mental strength; might; vigour, energy; effectiveness.” (Oxford English Dictionary)

Kuzmanovic, D. (2009). VAMPIRIC SEDUCTION AND VICISSITUDES OF MASCULINE IDENTITY IN BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA. Victorian Literature and Culture, 37(2), 411–425. doi:10.1017/S1060150309090263

Botting, F. (1994) Dracula, Romance and Radcliffean Gothic, Women’s Writing, 1:2, 181–201, DOI: 10.1080/0969908940010205