8: Analyzing Podcasts

6 min readFeb 21, 2021

Podcast #1

Daby, Abbegail, and Gracie Jarvis. “Dracula (1931) — Watch Old Horror Movies.” Good Mourning, Nancy from Listen Notes, episode 51, 18 June 2019, listennotes.com/podcasts/good-mourning/ep-51-dracula-1931-watch-old.

Summary of Podcast #1:

This podcast discusses sexuality, masculinity, motherhood, sexual deviance, fetishism, and feminism within Dracula as well as analyzing the 1931 film of the novel. This episode contains a discussion on pedophilia, sexual assault, rape, and violence. Additionally, the podcast analyzes the main characters of the novel and film (Lucy, Dracula, Mina, and Jonathan). The two hosts begin the podcast with a description of the movie including the production, the response after the premiere, and the plot summary. Then, Gracie and Abbey examine whether the film passes both the Bechdel test and their own test (the “Nancy’s Dream Team test”). These tests assess representation within the film. The podcast includes many references to scholarly sources to discuss and use as evidence for their arguments. Overall, the podcast goes in-depth into the scholarly sources and talks through their own stance and analysis.

For my own podcast, I will apply some of the elements from this episode. I like the topics they chose to incorporate and how they developed each topic. I like how they talked about the historical events that influenced the film as well as Lucy’s character. Then, they would bring in key points made from scholarly sources that analyzed the novel and film in various ways. Throughout, each topic in their podcast, the hosts will discuss their own stance as well as ask each other questions to further their discussion. These elements make the podcast interesting and create a nice flow, which I would like to apply within my own podcast.

Argument(s) Made:

The hosts make various points throughout the podcast, in relation to feminism. First, the podcast argues that Lucy is represented as the “phallic mother” (or the anti-mother and the opposite of the ideal Victorian woman). Vampirism is represented as a curse that takes away rather than gives life and is symbolized as frightening as well as aggressive. As a result of this point of view, the hosts disagree with the analysis that Lucy represents pedophilia (Lucy “seducing” children). On the topic of masculinity and male dominance, the podcast argues that the male characters are over-protective of their female counterparts and are too focused on the purity of women. Third, the podcast argues that Dracula represents the women, or the feminine forces, while the other male characters represent the masculine. The hosts discuss how vampirism is a take on toxic masculinity. Overall, the podcast focuses on Lucy as a mother figure and how male dominance is represented within Dracula.

My topic is similar to the arguments made in this podcast. However, while the podcast discusses the film, fetishism, bisexuality, and the influences of/connection to the Great Depression, my current focus is on the other points made. I like their analysis of Lucy as a representation of the “phallic mother” (in contrast with Mina), fueled by her vampirism, as well as the male dominance within the novel. I will use the podcast to help develop my argument of the negative characterizations of Mina and Lucy brought down by the patriarchal lens.

Most Interesting Contributions to Topic:

I found the discussion on the Bechdel test and their own test really interesting. Although the tests were focused on the film, I like how they assess representation within the film as well as assess them through a feminist lens. I can apply this element in my own podcast by creating my own “test” to begin the episode and introduce my main arguments. I can use the questions to help guide my podcast, similar to transitions in an essay. My questions will assess the female characters (how they interact with each other, the roles they take on, etc.) as well as the male characters (their views on women, their significance in the novel compared to the women, etc.).

New Information (What did I learn?):

The podcast discussed how the Great Depression connects to Lucy’s character in the film — how feminism was during this time period as well as how Lucy becomes a warning for women to steer away from non-traditional roles. The Great Depression was many years after the novel was published, so it’s interesting how the film still included aspects of the novel that connects to the repressed sexual freedom and agency of women. With this information, I will research more in-depth the historical influences impacting the novel, specifically how those events influenced the New Woman movement.

Works Cited (follow-up reading/research):

Boyd, Kathryn. “Making Sense of Mina: Stoker ‘s Vampirization of the Victorian Woman in Dracula.” Trinity University, 2014, digitalcommons.trinity.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=eng_honors.

Demetrakopoulos, Stephanie. “Feminism, Sex Role Exchanges, and Other Subliminal Fantasies in Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”.” Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies, vol. 2, no. 3, University of Nebraska Press, 1977, pp. 104–113. JSTOR, jstor.org/stable/pdf/3346355.pdf?seq=1.

Podcast #2

Wendell, Sarah. “Victorian Feminism and World Traveling Victorian Women: An Interview with Deanna Raybourn.” Smart Podcast, Trashy Books, episode 223, 2 December 2016, smartbitchestrashybooks.com/podcast/223-victorian-feminism-world-traveling-victorian-women-interview-deanna-raybourn.

Summary of Podcast #2:

This podcast discusses Victorian feminists/explorers, historical events and technological advances in the Victorian age, and women in history. There is also an interview with author Deanna Raybourn, discussing her inspirations for her novel in addition to her research on Victorian feminism. The podcast examines various Victorian female explorers and journalists including Margaret Fountaine, Alexandrine Tinné, Mary Kingsley, Nellie Bly, and Isabella Bird. Overall, the podcast explores feminist topics — both from the Victorian period and the century of today — and goes in-depth into how Victorian women use expeditions/new technology to break out of the patriarchal/traditional expectations of society.

For my own podcast, I will apply some of the elements from this episode. I really like how they discussed significant female figures who did not want to be confined by patriarchal and traditional standards. Throughout the podcast, they will talk about these topics through the feminist lens of today and their own experiences, relating to how women may have felt during the 19th century. I want to incorporate this aspect in my research and my podcast, talking about significant women in history who are similar to Lucy or Mina as well as including feminist ideas from the Victorian era and today.

Argument(s) Made:

The host Sarah Wendell and guest Deanna Raybourn argue that a lot of Victorian women were invested in change. They learned to adapt to the new technology and used them to their advantage (like the bicycle and the typewriter) to not choose convention (not depend on men and to be financially independent). The podcast argues that the female explorers on their expeditions felt free because they were not confined by society’s expectations (no one was going to stop them or punish them if they didn’t follow the traditional roles). As a result, the women felt suffocated when they came back home because they were forced into the background again. Additionally, the podcast argues the “difference between the enforcement of women from other women and the enforcement of women from men”, in that within this patriarchal society, there are times when women are the ones who judge and go against other women for their choices.

While the podcast focuses on one of Raybourn’s novel and how the main character is inspired by Margaret Fountaine as well as other female explorers, there are many points made that relates to my own topic. I will use the feminist perspectives/topics in this podcast to inspire my own research in comparing the female characters of Dracula with significant Victorian women.

Most Interesting Contributions to Topic:

One of the most interesting contributions is when Sarah and Deanna discussed Victorian female explorers/journalists. I became really interested and fascinated with what they were talking about, it made me want to look into Margaret Fountaine, Alexandrine Tinné, Mary Kingsley, Nellie Bly, and Isabella Bird. They discussed how men were taken more seriously academically and how women had to fund themselves as private travelers. I think it would be useful to talk about real historical events and figures who are connected to the characters Mina and Lucy in my podcast. Additionally, I would like to discuss my own personal ideas on feminism, similar to what Sarah and Deanna did when they discussed their personal experiences.

New Information (What did I learn?):

Aside from learning about Victorian female explorers/journalists, it was also interesting to learn about the dragoman and the dichotomy that arises. The podcast examines how these women would go on these expeditions at a very young age, most of the time on their own. They travel to new areas and would have to hire a dragoman (a person who would be a guide or interpreter) or ask for help from many strangers. The dichotomy arises when these empowered women come into a situation where they have to be dependent on someone else. In addition to researching real historical figures, I am now curious to research whether there were moments where the women in Dracula were dependent on others for survival or were they fully confined by the traditional roles.