Dracula Comparison Essay

Dracula, the 1931 film directed by Tod Browning is loosely based upon the novel of the same name. Therefore both share similar characteristics but are distinct. The differences between the novel and film occur due to the cinematic choices made as well as the fact that the film is based off of not only the novel Dracula but also the 1924 play Dracula. One major decision made by Browning was to alter the role of Johnathan Harker. In the novel Johnathan is the solicitor who meets with Dracula in Transylvania and narrowly escapes the “veritable prison” and is a changed man due to his experiences there (25). On the other hand, in the film Johnathan never visits Transylvania. Renfield is the one who does so instead. That provides Renfield with a

In the novel Johnathan is the subject of the first four chapters and sets the foundation for later events. His words are taken seriously by the reader due to having no reason to belittle him. In contrast the film reduces Jonathan to an insignificant, childish character. Throughout the film Johnathan is seen wearing suits of a lighter color than the suits of the other characters. This choice in costume demonstrates the inferiority of Johnathan compared to the other men such as Van Helsing. Another such example is when Johnathan wears sporting clothes to the opera unlike the other characters who dress more formally and appropriately for the occasion. Also in the film Johnathan acts childishly when he makes empty threats. For example, when he becomes aware that Mina is in danger from Dracula, he commands Mina to promptly meet him in the library so they can leave for London; this occurs in spite of his being told that it is best that they stay with Van Helsing and Dr. Seward who can take care of Mina. Although Johnathan Harker is respected in the novel by the other characters, his diminished role in the film also diminishes the respect and importance given to him by

The cinematic choice to have Renfield travel to Transylvania has multiple implications in the film. First, it allows Renfield to develop as a round character who is present from the beginning to the end of the film—now Renfield is not just a lunatic but also an average man enslaved by Dracula. In addition, since Johnathan himself has not experienced the actions of Dracula as he did in the novel when he journeyed to Transylvania, he is skeptical that a being such as Dracula can exist. This makes Johnathan less important, leading to a greater emphasis being placed on Renfield instead. Another aspect of Renfield that characterizes him is his costume. Renfield is presented to the audience as a dapper young man who wears a suit and carries a cane. The cane is especially important because it is a symbol of power that is later taken by Dracula, making Renfield subservient to him. Another example of the subordination of Renfield to Dracula occurs when Renfield enters Dracula’s castle. The camera angle portrays Renfield as a small figure in comparison to the vast space of the castle, thus reducing his power relative to that of Dracula as the novel showed. Overall, although Renfield becomes more important to the film by replacing Johnathan at the beginning, he remains a servant of Dracula in both the novel and