Analyzing Podcasts
Podcast #1: The Women of Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Summary: In this podcast, the stories of the women that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula are told. Stories of Countess Elizabeth Báthory, an infamous Hungarian serial killer who was said to have bathed in the blood of virgins to maintain her youth, were popular in the early 18th century, which coincided with the great vampire panic and a rise in interest for gory tales. Her legend bears a strong resemblance to Count Dracula. Stoker’s own mother, Charlotte Thornley Stoker, shared horrific stories of the cholera epidemic, in which she told him of the “deathly blue color” that cholera victims take on that provided Stoker with the inspiration of a deadly virus (vampirism) that ravaged countries and scarred its people. Finally, the work of Emily Gerard, which documented Transylvanian folklore and introduced many to the idea of a vampire, was highly influential towards Stoker’s own depiction of a vampire and the superstitions it entailed. These women are significant in my work because I am interested in how Stoker’s own relations to women inspired his characterizations of women and vampires in Dracula. Countess Elizabeth Báthory’s tale is especially interesting as I examine the power female vampires hold in Dracula and their inevitably horrific fates.
Argument(s): This podcast argues that women were incredibly influential in the creation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. For example, whereas many believe Vlad the Impaler to be the inspiration behind Count Dracula, there is actually not anything substantial in Stoker’s notes that suggests that Dracula was based off of Vlad the Impaler. Instead, he bears a much heavier resemblance to Countess Elizabeth Báthory. In this sense, my topic relates to this idea of the limited representation of women as most of the women in Stoker’s novel are ultimately killed or reduced to the role of their husband’s wife.
Contributions to Topic: The most interesting contributions to my topic was the tale of Countess Elizabeth Báthory. As stated in the podcast, many of the horrific tales of her were baseless rumors, speculated to have been told to reduce the power and influence of a wealthy widow. The forced reduction in power of women, as depicted when Van Helsing and the men kill Lucy, is a potential theme in my topic. Such a powerful female influence for Dracula offers very interesting insight into Stoker’s relation with women.
New Information: Contrary to popular belief, there isn’t much evidence that suggests that Dracula is based off of Vlad the Impaler. Even the name Dracula, shared with Vlad the Impaler, actually means “Devil” in Wallachian, suggesting no actual connection between Vlad and Stoker’s Dracula (Davis). Additionally, the relationship between his mother’s stories of cholera and Stoker’s own disease of vampirism and the widespread fear and panic they both elicited is particularly insightful.
Works Cited:
Cher Martinetti, Co-host. “The Women of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” Forgotten Women of Genre, 3 March 2020, https://podcasts.podinstall.com/syfy-wire-forgotten-women-genre/202003031100-women-bram-stokers-dracula.html
Follow up reading: Inspiration for Dracula
Davis, Lauren. “No, Bram Stoker Did Not Model Dracula On Vlad The Impaler.” Gizmodo, 21Oct. 2014, io9.gizmodo.com/no-bram-stoker-did-not-model-dracula-on-vlad-the-impal-1648969679.
Podcast #2: Ep. 51: DRACULA (1931) — Watch Old Horror Movies
Summary: In this podcast, Gracie and Abbey discuss the 1931 film Dracula and the themes of bisexuality, motherhood, sexual deviance, masculinity and male dominance, and feminism in Bram Stoker’s original Dracula and its adaptations. Their discussion of the themes of Dracula carry a feminist tone as they focus on the portrayal of Lucy and the three vampire sisters as well as Dracula himself and the many controversial interpretations they elicit. This podcast was perfect for my topic as I am analyzing many of the themes they are discussing such as feminism, male dominance, sexual deviance, and the fetishization of vampirism/blood. I will definitely apply many elements of this podcast, especially their view on motherhood in Dracula, which I never really looked at.
Argument(s): While more of an open discussion of the many interpretations of Dracula, they are sure to argue their own analysis of the characterizations and themes of Dracula. They argue, for example, that it is difficult to determine if Dracula is a feminist film/novel or simply results in the classic subjugation of women. In my writings I have supported both arguments, ultimately deciding that, with the inevitable demonizing of sexuality, Dracula cannot truly be called a feminist work.
Contributions to Topic: I was incredibly intrigued in their discussion of motherhood in Dracula and their idea of the “phallic mother.” Vampires reproduce by themselves, as they need only to pierce humans with their fangs (a phallic symbol itself) to convert the human into a vampire. They discussed the incestuous relationship vampires have with those they turn, which while offputting, made sense when thinking about how the vampire is the father and mother of the victim because he does not need anyone else to reproduce, but also often the lover of the victim because turning is sensual in nature (Dracula is attracted to Lucy). There are many more intriguing ideas discussed in the podcast that I will be sure to elaborate on.
New Information: I had not contemplated the idea of the “phallic mother” yet and this podcast introduced it to me. The same goes with the controversial incestuous nature of vampires as well as the podcast’s portrayal of Lucy as the “anti-mother” because she will never be able to marry or have children as a vampire; she may take life, but she can not bear it. These sexual and feminine ideas fit well in my topic, as I am observing the sexual nature of women in Dracula as well as their portrayal overall.
Works Cited:
Gracie and Abbey, Co-hosts. “Ep. 51: DRACULA (1931) — Watch Old Horror Movies.” Good Mourning, Nancy Podcast, 18 June 2019, https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-mourning/ep-51-dracula-1931-watch-old-rdV7WuM43wi/#
Follow up Reading:
Bentley, Christopher. “The Monster in the Bedroom: Sexual Symbolism in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” Carter 25–34.
Boyd, Kathryn, “Making Sense of Mina: Stoker’s Vampirization of the Victorian Woman in Dracula” (2014). English Honors Theses. 20. http://digitalcommons.trinity.edu/eng_honors/20
Eszter Muskovits, The Threat of Otherness in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, TRANS- [Online], 10 | 2010, Online since 08 July 2010, connection on 11 November 2020.
Dirda, Michael. “‘Something in the Blood’ Offers Plenty of Speculation about ‘Dracula’ Author.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 26 Oct. 2016, www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/something-in-the-blood-the-untold-storyof-the-man-who-wrote-dracula/2016/10/26/d91b4914–96e8–11e6–9b7c-57290af48a49_sory.html.
SnipGoTheShearsOfAtropos. “Thirsty: The Women of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula.’” Powder Room, Powder Room, 27 Oct. 2014, powderroom.kinja.com/thirsty-the-women-of-bram-stoker-s-dracula-1651288245.
“Women & Feminism in Dracula.” Study.com, 21 August 2016, study.com/academy/lesson/women-feminism-in-dracula.html