Christian References In Dracula

Most people have at one point in their lives been exposed to religious themes and the consequence of sin, but because humans are not perfect, sinning happens all too often. The characters in Bram Stoker’s Dracula are no exception. A common recurring theme in Dracula are the symbolic Christian references. Susannah Clements author of The Vampire Defanged argues Dracula is explicitly Christian. As such the themes found throughout Dracula certainly do take on a Christian aspect as can observed early on in the novel when Johnathan Harker reveals his belief as an Anglican and displays mixed feelings at accepting a crucifix gifted to him.

Harker’s reluctance to accept a crucifix becomes representative of the rejection of Christianity, Clements asserts that Harker does not fully realize the importance of the crucifix he has been

given, even though this crucifix caused Dracula to back away from him (15). Harker turning away from religious symbols such as the cross, even after they have saved his life, represents the idolatry and neglect of Christianity as a sin. This neglect of Christian symbols sends a clear message as to the true meaning behind Dracula.
On the other hand many have argued the true message behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula is in fact not a novel focused on Christianity but rather a series of subliminally hidden psychosexual desires and symbols.

Christopher Bentley author of The Monster in the Bedroom: Sexual Symbolism in Bram Stoker’s Dracula is such an example. Bentley interprets the messages within the story are actually that of sexual symbolism, for example, claiming that a blood transfusion is actually representative of sexual intercourse. “This sequence of blood transfusions symbolizes sexual intercourse, with Lucy of necessity acquiring a freedom and promiscuity that could not possibly be described in actual terms,” (27). Bentley asserts other points that include Harker’s encounter with the vampire sisters and the interpretation of the events that take place in this passage are actually describing that of a sexual fantasy. However, it cannot be assumed that the reader will make the same interpretation, most will not transcribe a simple blood transfusion as sexual intercourse or a room occupied by vampire women as a sexual fantasy, simply because the message is not clear

enough.
Moreover, symbols of a crucifix and the religious background of characters cannot be argued against as they are made undoubtedly clear for the reader to interpret them for what they truly mean, most will not argue the crucifix is not a symbolic Christian representation as well as Stoker’s use of biblical passages as noted in Dracula where Renfield cuts Dr. Seward with a knife “He was easily secured, and, to my surprise, went with the attendants quite placidly, simply repeating over and over again: The blood is the life! The blood is the life!”(181). A direct reference to the verse in Deuteronomy 12:23. Symbolism has earned its place well within Christianity and the most powerful of which include the symbol of the Cross and the Holy Bible as these undeniably cannot be mistaken for something which they are not.