Dracula And Religion Essay

Since the beginning of time, science has attempted to disprove religion and superstition. The novel Dracula written by Bram Stoker voices the central concerns of the Victorian Era (1837-1901) by providing insight into the conflict between logic and mysticism. Christianity had provided the beliefs that underlay the moral code of society for hundreds of years, but, along with old superstitions and folk remedies, it was being rejected in Stoker’s day in favor of faith in science and technology. In Dracula, Stoker shows a society on the edge of moral collapse and implicitly warns against the wholesale rejection of Christian values. It seems as though all horrific events in the novel can be traced back to a lack of faith in religion, each character

featured in said novel, is a paradigm of the paradoxical themes of modern times/science versus religion/superstition represented in the story.
Dracula, the vampire who has been "Un-Dead" for several hundred years, stands as a satanic figure, made obvious mostly by his appearance; Count Dracula is described as having pointed ears, “canine teeth”, and flaming eyes.

However it is Dracula’s consumption of blood that is truly a perversion of Christian ritual. How the count became a vampire is unclear, although it is mentioned in the text that his family had a long history of dealing with the devil. Essentially, his vampirism could indeed be traced back to once upon a time, turning his back on Christianism. After all, it will be the union of faith, religion, and technology that will lead to victory in the battle against

Dracula.
In fact, there is one character that is the perfect representation of both themes from the moment the reader is introduced to him, to the moment he returns to his home. The “best of both worlds”, The science man with the religious weapons,Van Helsing. A doctor, philosopher, and metaphysician, Van Helsing arrives on the scene versed not only in the modern methods of Western medicine, but with an unparalleled knowledge of superstitions and folk remedies. He is initially the only character who possesses a mind open enough to contemplate and address Dracula’s particular brand of evil. He straddles two distinct worlds, the old and the new: the first marked by fearful respect for tradition, the second by ever-progressing modernity.
Whereas his apprentice Dr.

Seward, is greatly limited by rational prejudices that blind him to the real nature of Lucy’s sickness. Seward, who keeps his diary on a phonograph, is an extreme skeptic of the validity of long-held religious beliefs. His high-tech gadgets contrast strongly with the superstitions and ancient traditions surrounding Dracula himself. Later in the novel, Van Helsing warns his pupil that “to rid the earth of this terrible monster (Count Dracula) we must have all the knowledge and all the help which we can get.” Van Helsing uses garlic and other Transylvanian superstitious items to repulse Dracula and Seward finally gives into the mysticism by using the communion wafer and crucifix when he encounters Count

Dracula.
In the end, Van Helsing and the others decide to use both modern and superstitious methods to defeat Dracula. They employ modern devices such as guns, and trains, yet heavily rely on the myths about vampires and the superstitious objects such as holy wafers and garlic bushels once it comes time to destroy the Count. The theme of modern times/science is closely linked to the one of religion/superstition and one can clearly see this conflict symbolized by Van Helsing and Seward’s differing opinions. The wise doctor, Van Helsing, invests a large portion of his time throughout the course of the novel attempting to make Seward understand, that at times things simply can not be explained logically. Finally, it is the mixture of both logic and mysticism that allows the promise of Christian Salvation.