Analyzing Podcasts
Information about Podcast #1
Notes & Ideas for your Podcast Project
MLA Citation of podcast # 1:
Kaplan, Jenny, host. “Warriors: Mary McLeod Bethune.” Encyclopedia Womannica, Wonder Media Network, 02 Feb. 2020. https://encyclopedia-womannica.simplecast.com/episodes/warriors-mary-mcleod-bethune-0LHR_V8V
Summary of podcast
This is a biographical podcast about Mary McLeod Bethune. She was an important feminist figure at the turn of the century (when Dracula was written). She made advancements in women’s education and fought for gender and racial equality. She took part in Franklin Roosevelt’s administration and used her position to help other women and people of color through the president’s unofficial black cabinet. She founded a women’s college which became the Bethune-Cookman College.
Will you apply & adapt elements of the content and form to your own podcast? Explain in detail.
There isn’t too much that I want to draw from this podcast. I appreciated that it all flowed well together because the host was almost telling the story of Mary, but there aren’t specific elements that I thought might be useful for mine.
Argument(s) made in podcast
It wasn’t so much of an argument as it was a biography of a feminist icon. The podcast argued that she made great strides in women’s education and equality by connecting with other people and reaching out to minority communities.
How do you situate your own topic and stance in relation to this podcast?
My topic draws from ideas stated in this podcast. My feminism topic has become more informed as I learn about someone who was a feminist at the time that the novel Dracula was written. By better understanding what some women were doing to fight for their rights, I can better discuss how I see feminism portrayed in the novel.
Most interesting contributions to topic
It was interesting to better understand what some feminists were doing at the time to help fight for women’s rights. Mary McLeod Bethune focused her efforts on education, so she ensured that she received the education she deserved when she was young and wanted other young women to be able to get that as well.
How will you apply these exciting contributions to your own podcast? Does it give you interesting ideas of your own?
As I mentioned previously, this podcast will allow mine to be more informed and allow me to give specific examples of what actions women were taking at the time.
New information (what did you learn?)
The importance of education when it comes to feminism. The concept of the “New Woman” included the woman being educated which allows her to be more independent. The more educated women there are, the more normalized it becomes and the less they have to rely on an educated man to have enough income. Women’s colleges were incredibly important at the time as they aimed to educate women who may not have the same opportunities at other universities because of their gender.
How will you engage with this new information? In what ways does it come into your project?
I will engage with this new information by cultivating a richer definition of what the “New Woman” is and how she this concept is shown in the novel. By comparing Mary McLeod Bethune to some of the female characters in Dracula, I can show what kinds of women the author was trying to showcase and how they interact with some of the more hidden feministic elements of the novel.
Works Cited (follow up reading / research)
Michals, “Debra, Mary McLeod Bethune.” National Women’s History Museum, https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-mcleod-bethune
Notes on follow up reading and research
Adds some additional details on her achievements and some of the things she fought for. Adds more biographical info.
Information about Podcast #2
Notes & Ideas for your Podcast Project
MLA Citation of podcast # 2:
“The Women of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” Forgotten Women of Genre, SYFY WIRE, 03 Mar. 2020. https://podcasts.podinstall.com/syfy-wire-forgotten-women-genre/202003031100-women-bram-stokers-dracula.html
Summary of podcast
The podcast goes over several female figures that have inspired the character Count Dracula (as well as other elements from the novel).
Will you apply & adapt elements of the content and form to your own podcast? Explain in detail.
The podcast was particularly interesting to listen to because it was very stylized with atmospheric music at times and a general sense of the host guiding the listener on a journey. I would love to have my podcast have a similar feeling of guiding the listener along (seamless and flowy).
Argument(s) made in podcast
Count Dracula was inspired by some misunderstood and forgotten female figures. The similarities between some of these women and the count heavily suggest that Bram Stoker drew elements from them and their stories.
How do you situate your own topic and stance in relation to this podcast?
Combining this information with some of the other details I’m finding within the text will allow me to make a more informed claim on what Bram Stoker’s stance on feminism was. By analyzing these women and their impact on society at the time, it may make things clearer for my research.
Most interesting contributions to topic
Emily Gerard likely had a big impact on Bram Stoker’s writing as she had great influence in Transylvanian folklore. Emily Gerard (will do further research to verify) was likely somewhat fitting the role of the New Woman as she became known for her independent literary work. This may suggest where Stoker stood on feminism at the time.
How will you apply these exciting contributions to your own podcast? Does it give you interesting ideas of your own?
The idea of adding some immerse details to the podcast itself could make it a lot more interesting to listen to. The music and sound effects that were occasionally used were intriguing enough to make me listen closer. Once again, the idea of guiding the listener on a journey is really nice, even if it’s just about our research topics.
New information (what did you learn?)
I learned more about vampire folklore and fears at the time as well as some of the stories that were spread around. Countess Elizabeth Bathory in particular was fascinating as she was a serial killer whose crimes became more wide spread around the time that vampire fear was growing. Looking into more of her defining characteristics may add more details onto Stoker’s perception of feminism.
How will you engage with this new information? In what ways does it come into your project?
I can reference these women in my work and note how they connect to Stoker’s possible stance on feminism and how they might have influence some of characters and their portrayals in the novel.
Works Cited (follow up reading / research)
“Emily Gerard: Transnational Perspectives and Connections.” Women writers, 2012. http://www.womenwriters.nl/index.php/Emily_Gerard:
Pallardy, Richard. “Elizabeth Bathory.” Britannica.https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-Bathory
Notes on follow up reading and research
Includes context and details about these women’s lives. Gives more clues about how they influenced Stoker’s writing.
