Examples Of Superstition In Dracula

Dracula’s Downfall: Science and Superstition In a time period where science was developing new and controversial ideas, and superstition was slowly being replaced with a more reasoning thought process, a story that combines the two topics was written: Dracula. With movement to the new west, science was slowly gaining more foreground, inventing new technologies such as the telegram and phonograph as well as making advancements like blood transfusions and hypnosis. Additionally a new thought process began to form, one that took away the ability to believe in the seemingly impossible. “In the Blood” author quotes: “Throughout the novel, these self-assured people have to be convinced, with enormous difficulty, that there is something beyond their

While Seward represents Victorian science, Van Helsing represents an open-minded science. “‘My thesis is this, I want you to believe.’…‘To believe in things that you cannot’” (Stoker 206). Van Helsing believes that, while science is wonderful, you must not let it hinder you from seeing things for what they truly are. His thought process quickly shows to be the dominant one throughout the book. For instance: while Seward struggles to figure out what Lucy’s ailment is, Van Helsing creates a solution after some observation. He discovers what is happening to Lucy and tries to protect her by giving her garlic flowers from his home in the Netherlands. “By rubbing the flowers around the windows and doors of Lucy’s room, he is blocking Dracula’s entrance as effectively as the heavy door blocked Jonathan’s exit in Transylvania” (Johnson 83). Van Helsing helps keep Dracula at bay, and this in turn helps to stop Lucy’s blood-loss and aid her recovery. Another instance where Van Helsing’s thought is clearly superior, is when he discovers that Lucy is now part of the undead. He claims that she is the one leaving the marks on the kids throats and that she is now one of the undead. “They were made by Miss Lucy!” (207). Seward’s logical thought never would have allowed him to come to such a conclusion because it did not seem to be realistic. Without Van Helsing the characters would have no connection to the supernatural world, as well as no one to teach them about it or help them perceive the world