First let me just say I am glade we are getting to watch the film Dracula in class. It was on TV every Halloween when I was in high school, however I never was able to watch the entire movie all the way through. I either fall asleep half way through or I end up only seeing the end of it. Ok now back to the assignment.
As for what Dracula represents, he would be the upper class. He has servants of the night, wears the finest robes, and has enough money to buy a bunch of property in London. These attributes are very common in the upper class. Due to their wealth they are able to spend their money on whatever they want. Unlike others in the upper class, Dracula is using his wealth in order to be near the woman he thinks is his wife reincarnated. This is unusual for the movie monster because he usually only thinks about himself, never about others. There is also the representation of gender. As for gender we know that he is male. However he participates in unusual behavior for males. He has multiple relations with other women one of which he gets caught in the act by the women he loves. This behavior is seen as not normal although most men today have multiple partners before they begin a committed relationship making it somewhat more acceptable. As for race he is the last of his kind. In a way this is similar to how Frankenstein's monster is the only one of his kind. However unlike Frankenstein's monster who is ashamed of his monstrosity and wishes to be accepted, Dracula is proud of his race and is accepted by those that don't know he is a vampire.
I think another thing that goes along with this is the power that money brings. As we have seen, Dracula can teach seduction 101- advanced seduction. He can pretty much get who ever he wants to do his bidding. Now think about what money can do. Young, beautiful women will marry rich older men. Enough money allows you to do pretty much what ever you want. Everyone has a price. Hell, apart from self mutilation and shooting my dog, there isnt much I wouldnt do for 1 million dollars. Furthermore, I would want to become pretty good friends with that rich guy in hopes that he gives me more money. So to does Draculas servants desire to have him around and do his bidding. Dracula can offer the same seduction that money can.
ReplyDeleteInteresting views on Dracula through the gender lens. In most critiques, Dracula and the other male figures of the novel are often seen equally as a monsters of misogyny. There is certainly a reoccurring theme of objectification of women throughout the piece. The men of the novel / film seem to be constantly threatened by the women who hold power over them.
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