How does female sexuality threaten the men in Bram Stoker's Dracula?

Answer 1

Lucy Westenra is the attractive, vivacious heroine sort yet represents the old-fashion, Victorian type of woman dependent on men. She is 'seduced' by Count Dracula, killed and turned into a vampire by him. Her 'suitors' are then required to destroy her.

Wilhelmina "Mina" Murray is also a Victorian type, the quiet and submissive sort, but she serves her fiance Johnathan by possessing, what was then, considered to be a number of modern values, namely knowing short-hand, and business administration. Later when she becomes the Count's 'Living Thrall' and is in a sort of telepathic link with him the men have to concede to her a leading role in taking the battle to the count. Before this the men were constantly trying to 'protect' her from any such a role by denying her involvement and even information. She was religated into keeping a diary of the events. However, at the end, it is she and Doctor Van Helsing alone that approach Castle Dracula in preparation for the final battle.

In addition there are three vampire brides of Dracula who very nearly devour Johnathan. He has to be saved from them by the Count himself. (Yes, the story does get complicated.) It requires both Doctor Van Helsing and Mina to stand them down during the night, then the Doctor alone has to hunt them down during the day and destroy them all before night returns.

(However it is the man who are the final victors. Mina takes only a minor part at the final battle and has to be 'saved from her thralldom' by them. )

Answer 2

In Bram Stoker's Dracula, female sexuality threatens men by challenging traditional gender roles and societal norms. The female characters, especially Lucy and the three vampire brides, embody sensuality and power that defy notions of Victorian purity and submission. This challenges the male characters' control and dominance, leading to fear and a sense of vulnerability.