I think Mina is not given enough credit for her role in conquering Dracula. Yes, we have talked extensively about how she has a “man’s brain” and how she provides vital help in compiling a typewritten version of everyone’s accounts, yet we still say that the men finished the job. I think Mina’s awareness and hold on humanity, even after she is “unclean”, prove to be the defining characteristics that allow Dracula to be defeated. Just like Buffy, Mina conceals what she suspects are dreams, but are in reality nighttime visits by Dracula to suck her blood. Buffy, while under his thrall, even goes to the extent of covering up her bite marks with a handkerchief. Mina is incredibly ashamed of herself when she realizes that she has fallen pray to Dracula and she is nearly inconsolable when she understands the implications of drinking his blood as well. However, through her torment, she tries to remain strong, for the sake of her husband, Jonathan, who is crumbling under the thought of losing his wife to the beast that held him captive, and all the men that pledge to save her. After that fateful night, Mina starts to realize, along with Van Helsing and Dr. Seward, that she is losing herself to Dracula and his control over her, and she takes many precautions in assuring that Dracula is not aware of the plans of the men. She even tells Jonathan that he is not to tell her their exact intentions for she fears that Dracula will read her mind and escape them once more. Furthermore, she uses Dracula’s own power against him at dawn and dusk by asking Van Helsing to hypnotize her so she can channel Dracula and give the men information about his location. Mina uses her curse, if you will, to her best advantage in order to try and defeat Dracula. Finally, Mina always has humanity’s best interests in mind and does the most valiant thing imaginable for any human, man or woman. She is willing to sacrifice herself, and makes all the men, including her husband, swear that they will essentially slay her if she is unable to be saved. This demonstrates her bravery and her intent to save mankind, even if she cannot be rescued. Without Mina’s help and support throughout the novel, the men would have had an incredibly hard time capturing and disposing of Dracula and therefore, I think Mina is the true hero (or heroine) of the story, just like Buffy is in the 1990s.
9.26.2011
Buffy and Mina, Two of a Kind
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Sydney, I completely agree with you. I think of Mina as having as much responsibility in Dracula's ultimate demise as any of the men. I would even push your argument a little further to demonstrate that Mina, may in fact, be even more of a heroine than Buffy, who allows herself become enthralled by Dracula and who does not tell the Scooby Gang about her plight.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Mina is the true hero, and I would say without her, the Count would not have been slayed. For me, Mina is vital in the Dracula hunt because she increased the efficiency of keeping the everyone in the group up to date by typing out everyone's journal. Without Mina, the flow of information would be greatly hindered, giving more time to Dracula to fightback. The Gang was able to kill Dracula because of Mina's advise of which river to track down the Count. Without her advise, the Count would have enough time to get back to his castle and be protected by the wolfs.
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