Be it a book, a movie or a series vampires are the most common characters in all forms of art. From the ancient times onwards, there are myths and tales orbiting the vampires. Some of them are still prevalent which makes them a nightmare. They can be in any form - a bat, a wolf, a man or a woman which casts no shadows, drinks blood and what not Even small children are not spared from their attack. A discussion of vampires leads to the most iconic vampire in the history of arts - Count Dracula. Bram Stoker's Dracula is an awe - inspiring vampire who still stands as an archetype in the world of vampires. The story of Dracula is taken as a model for most works of art in the vampire literature. Vampire literature becomes a zero without the story of the vampire hero Count Dracula in it. This study revolves around Stoker's Dracula - a small interpretation of the Un Dead by applying the theory of Psychoanalysis and Gender Studies. The first chapter deals with the psychic changes that is visible in the characters like Mina, Lucy etc. whilst the second chapter is about how the Victorian ladies emerged themselves as a New Woman. Dracula himself is a psychopath who manipulates every other characters. Major psychic changes occur to his preys. He is the crown figure of Oedipal complex. This study of the gothic fiction explores the concealed theme of sexuality. Also, the hidden fears and desires of the Victorian women. Amritha V "An Interpretation of Stoker's Dracula on the Basis of Psychoanalysis and Gender Criticism" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-6 , October 2021, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd46422.pdf Paper URL : https://www.ijtsrd.com/humanities-and-the-arts/english/46422/an-interpretation-of-stoker's-dracula-on-the-basis-of-psychoanalysis-and-gender-criticism/amritha-v
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)
Volume 5 Issue 6, September-October 2021 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD46422 | Volume – 5 | Issue – 6 | Sep-Oct 2021
Page 418
An Interpretation of Stoker’s Dracula on the
Basis of Psychoanalysis and Gender Criticism
Amritha V
University of Calicut, Thenhipalam, Kerala, India
ABSTRACT
Be it a book, a movie or a series; vampires are the most common
characters in all forms of art. From the ancient times onwards, there
are myths and tales orbiting the vampires. Some of them are still
prevalent which makes them a nightmare. They can be in any form –
a bat, a wolf, a man or a woman; which casts no shadows, drinks
blood and what not! Even small children are not spared from their
attack. A discussion of vampires leads to the most iconic vampire in
the history of arts – Count Dracula. Bram Stoker’s Dracula is an awe
– inspiring vampire who still stands as an archetype in the world of
vampires. The story of Dracula is taken as a model for most works of
art in the vampire literature. Vampire literature becomes a zero
without the story of the vampire hero Count Dracula in it.
This study revolves around Stoker’s Dracula – a small interpretation
of the Un-Dead by applying the theory of Psychoanalysis and Gender
Studies. The first chapter deals with the psychic changes that is
visible in the characters like Mina, Lucy etc. whilst the second
chapter is about how the Victorian ladies emerged themselves as a
New Woman. Dracula himself is a psychopath who manipulates
every other characters. Major psychic changes occur to his preys. He
is the crown figure of Oedipal complex. This study of the gothic
fiction explores the concealed theme of sexuality. Also, the hidden
fears and desires of the Victorian women.
KEYWORDS: Psychoanalysis, gender studies, psychopath, Dracula,
Oedipal complex, New Woman, sexuality, vampire, Victorian era
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