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Victorian Sexology in "Dorian Gray" and "Dracula"

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Summaries and Short Reviews

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This paper begins by exploring the three distinct themes or influences from Darwin that shaped the course of the works, "Dorian Gray", by Oscar Wilde, and "Dracula", by Bram Stoker. First, the theme of ambivalence toward religion is discussed. Next, the paper discusses the theme concerning the overwhelming fear of monsters hidden within our own genetic code. The paper then examines the last theme of degeneration and entropy. In addition, the issue of racism and how it arose from this fear of degeneration is looked at, as well as how the sexual abuse of African women was justified because of these racist views. Furthermore, cannibalism as a form of sexual lust is discussed and related to the notion of devolution. Finally, the paper compares and contrasts how all of these themes are expressed in both novels.
Published: November 12, 2006
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