Comparing the role of the past in the openings of ‘The Little Stranger’ & ‘Dracula'

• The Castle - in Transylvania, representing a time of old, monarchial aristocracy

• Hundreds Hall - representing crumbling social structures, Old-money rich

Most significant references to the past within each novel - what is their significance?

The Little Stranger

• The Ayres family, having a servant; antiquated & reminiscent of their former importance

• Roderick’s scars & marks on walls; mannifestation of haunting & the past experiences of war

• Treatment of the mentally ill; insight into the previous ‘care' t reatment

• The Doctors dance; the juxtaposition of the independence of women (e.g. Caroline & her time in the Wrens)

• Mrs Ayers' daughter's death/funeral; Impact of repression of the upper classes - Mrs Ayers' inability to grieve her daughter freely bc & how it continues to impact her

Dracula

• Medival tools - (e.g. Horse-drawn carriages in Eastern Europe, vs Industrial revolutionary era in Britain)

• Sexual morés; Pre- Victorian, lack of respect for marriage & monogamy

• Dracula’s ship; named after Greek God, Demeter

• Graveyard (common gothic trope) - e.g. Whitby Graveyard, w/ the old men + Mr Swales; their knowledge of the past & reluctance for it to come to light.

• Carfax Abbey; associated w/ evil - rats, spreading diseases + references to Catholic Church

• Dracula’s plan to taking over Britain; playing on the popularity of the British Empire (& beliefs of Cecil Rhodes) and desire of expansion, justified by belief of moral superiority - further links to classism

Compare the significance of the past in ‘The Little Stranger’ & ‘Dracula'

The past is significant across both novels - but plays a different role across either novel; in Dracula the refernces to past being more literal and obvious, making it somewhat more important vs in The Little Stranger its more ambiguous and seemingly psychological, allowing it to be left open to interpretation & more modern within it's focus.

• Dracula being an embodiment of constant war - reflective of society constantly being bombarded by war (e.g. Crimean War, 1st Boer War)

• The setting & ideologies of the characters within Dracula are representative of the past & traditionalism, whereas within The Little Stranger

  Compare on the presentation of setting in The Little Stranger and Dracula

  Forbidden places - The Little Stranger

• Hundreds Hall - England's traditionalist social structures, making it inaccessible to the majority of people, unless they were invited by the Ayer’s; linked to young Faraday’s growing fascination with the home & the acorn - his desire to be part of the forbidden upper class & how this develops into a feeling of insecurity over his power & status within society

• Hundreds’ estate park - symbolic of the wealth of upper class members; Faraday's desire to part of it but also simultaneous hatred towards a class he'd never be part of or accepted as being. Even when he is given access to, he still feels othered - additionally, when given access, he becomes overly possessive and tries to enforce his beliefs about the Hall - even though he doesn't have any real relevance.

• Hundreds Hall Nursery - Mrs Ayres, keeps far from the nursery, as it's too reminiscent of the death of Susan - which she never got over. As her mental state further deteriorates, the more she seems to be drawn towards there - with her ‘attempting’ to confront her pain; by entering the nursery she's returning to the moment within the past, when everything began to go wrong & the family truly began to deteriorate

  Forbidden places - Dracula

• Dracula's castle - the castle is very grand, but isolated - there's many doors and passages, most of which are locked and access is prohibited to, creating mystery and tension around the idea of the

In both texts, forbidden places are emblematic of the character’s mental states, through the isolation - encapsulating their repression as character’s and in society.

Within The Little Stranger, Hundreds Hall is seen as a forbidden place as Faraday described ‘the solid brown stone wall was high enough to seem forbidding.’

Compare the presentation and significance of older people in at least two works you have studied.

Dracula - Count Dracula & Van Helsing vs Jonathan, Mina & Lucy; Innovations in medicine and science within the Victorian era

The Little Stranger - Faraday and Mrs Ayres vs Roderick and Caroline; Old pre-war society vs New post-war society

Dracula

Presentation of Older People

• In Dracula, older characters are often depicted as mysterious, powerful, and enigmatic. Count Dracula himself is ancient, immortal, and embodies both allure and menace.

• Dracula's age is a central aspect of his character. His longevity grants him knowledge, cunning, and the ability to manipulate others. His age is both a source of fear and fascination.

• Other older characters, such as Professor Van Helsing, represent wisdom and courage. Van Helsing's age is associated with his expertise in vampire lore and his determination to combat evil.

• The novel also portrays older women, like Lucy's mother, as protectors and guardians. They hold traditional values and are concerned about their daughters' virtue.

Significance of Older People:

• Older characters serve as a bridge between the past and the present. They carry ancient knowledge, folklore, and superstitions related to vampires.

• Van Helsing's role is pivotal in the fight against Dracula. His wisdom and scientific approach balance the supernatural elements.

• The older generation represents stability and continuity. They uphold societal norms and provide guidance to the younger characters.

• Overall, older characters in "Dracula" symbolize the struggle between tradition and modernity, as well as the clash of rationality and the supernatural.

The Little Stranger

Presentation of Older People

• In The Little Stranger, the Ayres family members are aging aristocrats living in a decaying mansion. Their advanced age reflects the decline of their social status and wealth.

• Mrs. Ayres, Caroline, and Roderick (the surviving family members) are virtual recluses. Their lives are marked by memories of a glorious past and the burden of maintaining their ancestral home.

• Dr. Faraday, the country doctor, interacts with the Ayres family. His perspective as an outsider highlights their aging and isolation.

Significance of Older People:

• The Ayres family embodies the fading aristocracy. Their inability to adapt to changing times mirrors the decline of traditional values and class distinctions.

• Roderick's war trauma (shell shock) reflects the impact of historical events on the older generation. His suffering and inability to cope symbolize the broader societal upheaval.

• The crumbling estate becomes a metaphor for the decline of the old order. The supernatural occurrences at Hundreds Hall further destabilize their world.

• Exploration of themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time through the Ayres family. Their struggles resonate with broader societal changes in post-war Britain.

In summary, both novels use older characters to convey deeper themes related to tradition, change, and the supernatural. While "Dracula" focuses on ancient evil and knowledge, "The Little Stranger" examines the decline of the aristocracy and the haunting effects of the past.

Presentation of Madness and the Little Stranger

Both Dracula and The Little Stranger explore the theme of madness in different ways, and relate to other aspects of the Gothic genre (e.g. fear, confinement, and sexuality)

In Dracula, madness is often associated with the influence of the vampire, who can manipulate the minds of his victims and cause them to question their own sanity. For example, Jonathan wondering if he’s going mad when he sees Dracula's supernatural abilities and the seductive Three Sisters in the castle. Lucy Westenra suffers from a mysterious illness that makes her sleepwalk and act strangely, and is eventually turned into a vampire herself. Mina Harker is also infected by Dracula's blood, and experiences visions and nightmares that link her to him. The novel suggests that madness is a threat to the rational and scientific worldview of the Victorian era, and that it can only be cured by destroying the source of evil, Dracula.

In The Little Stranger, madness is more ambiguous and psychological, and is related to the decline of the aristocratic class and the haunted house motif. The narrator, Dr. Faraday, is an unreliable and obsessive character who may or may not be responsible for the strange events that occur at Hundreds Hall, the home of the Ayres family. The Ayres are plagued by a series of misfortunes that drive them to despair and madness, such as the death of their son, the disfigurement of their daughter, and the arson of their house. The novel implies that madness is a result of the social and historical changes that affect the characters, and that it can manifest in different forms, such as hysteria, violence, and delusion.

Meaning of Madness within the novels

Wider connections = Roderick’s scars and his leg, representative of the scars on post-war society and the instability of the family's social status

Jonathan’s time within the sanatorium & Renfield in the asylum = Mental health issues

Lucy's anemia = metaphor for madness & results in her confinement; context link to social attitudes over Women's behaviour in the Victorian era

To what extent is madness a source of shame, a defect that needs to be hidden?

• Roderick’s leg and scars - isolating himself, keeping closed-off and away from others; sent to the mental asylum

• Mrs Ayres’ mental deterioration across the novel

• Renfield in the mental asylum

Across both novels madness is viewed as being an intense source of shame, to the point where characters are willing to go to extreme lengths to hide the defect; which is explored through both novels as being a strong thematic element.

Compare the significance of madness in ‘The Little Stanger’ by Sarah Waters, and ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker

Introduction:

•Brief intro to the novels: “The Little Stranger” and “Dracula”; Mention that both texts explore themes of madness and the supernatural.

1. Representation of Madness:

•Discuss how madness is portrayed in each novel.

•In “The Little Stranger”, focus on Roderick Ayres’ mental state due to shell shock (PTSD) after World War II. -

•In “Dracula”, explore Renfield’s descent into madness as he becomes Dracula’s servant. -

2. Supernatural Elements:

•Analyse how the supernatural elements contribute to madness.

•In “The Little Stranger”, consider the mysterious occurrences at Hundreds Hall and their impact on the characters’ sanity. -

•In “Dracula”, examine the influence of Dracula’s vampiric powers on Renfield’s deteriorating mental health. -

3. Social Context + Gender roles & Madness:

•Discuss the societal context in each novel.

•“The Little Stranger” reflects the decline of the aristocracy in post-war Britain, affecting the Ayres family’s mental well-being.

•“Dracula” explores Victorian anxieties about sexuality, repression, and mental instability.

•Explore how gender roles intersect with madness.

•In “The Little Stranger”, consider Caroline Ayres’ role as a woman in a declining aristocratic family.

•In “Dracula”, analyse Lucy Westenra’s transformation into a vampire and its impact on her mental state.

4. Ambiguity and Fear:

•Compare the endings of both novels.

•“The Little Stranger” leaves the reader with an ambiguous and sinister conclusion, emphasizing fear.

•“Dracula” resolves the conflict and vanquishes evil, providing closure.

Conclusion:

•Summary of the significance of madness in both novels + Highlight different approaches taken in portraying madness within the context of the respective narratives.

Presentation of Women across the novels (context)

• Sexualisation of women - sexuality, objectification, temptress (Eve complex)

• Ideals to live up to; expectations/pressure - performing (Gyp manifestations of hamartia)

• Breaking with tradition, unconventional

Thesis; Stoker vs Waters, New woman, time of female liberation

Compare the Presentation of Masculinity across Prose

Introduction

Brief intro to The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters and Dracula by Bram Stoker.

Thesis: The presentation of masculinity in both novels is influenced by the historical context and societal norms of their respective periods.

Presentation of Masculinity in Dracula

• Discuss the portrayal of Count Dracula and other male characters in the novel. Analyze how their characteristics align with or challenge the Victorian ideals of masculinity.

• Discuss the role of power, control, and sexuality in the depiction of masculinity in Dracula.

Presentation of Masculinity in The Little Stranger

• Discuss the portrayal of Dr. Faraday and other male characters in the novel. Analyze how their characteristics reflect the societal changes and challenges to masculinity in post-war Britain.

• Discuss the role of class, power, and identity in the depiction of masculinity in The Little Stranger

Comparison of Masculinity in Both Novels

• Discuss the historical context of Victorian England during which Dracula was written. Highlight the societal expectations of masculinity during this period.

• Discuss the historical context of post-war Britain during which The Little Stranger is set. Highlight the changing perceptions of masculinity during this period.

• Compare and contrast the presentation of masculinity in both novels. Discuss how the historical context influences the portrayal of masculinity.

• Discuss any common themes or differences in the depiction of masculinity in both novels.

Conclusion

• Summarize the main points discussed in the essay, Restate the thesis and conclude with a final thought on the comparison of masculinity in both novels.

What do Stoker and Waters suggest about masculinity in their respective novels?

Stoker’s presentation of masculintiy within ‘Dracula' suggests that male characters' traits primarily align with the stereotypical Victorian ideals of masculinity, in correlation to the roles of power, control and sexuality, which were commonly held by men; suggesting a desire to challenge these ideologies, and address the shifting perspectives on gender stereotypes due to the industrial revolution, which is explored through his presentation of femininity and the progressive development of his female characters. Versus Waters’ portrayals of masculinity within ‘The Little Stranger' through her male characters like Dr. Faraday and Roderick, and how their traits are more reflective of the challenges and societal changes towards masculinity the concept of within the Post-war time period, and the drastic change in expectations; which she presents as manifesting in the form of internal stuggles with masculinity.

Theme of Corruption within Dracula & The Little Stranger

Within Dracula, corruption can be linked to the revenant forces + atavism experienced by the characters while trying to combat Dracula and the supernatural using method of modernity; e.g. blood transfusions, etc.

Essay plan

thesis point - Within Dracula, Corruption is caused by the supernatural but within the Little Stranger corruption causes supernatural to occur

P1 - Past vs Modernity; TLS = Victorian/Edwardian era vs Post-War society, Dracula =

P2 - Classism

P3 -