The battle between good and evil is conceivably the longest continuing battle since the existence of mankind. In Bram Stoker’s gothic novel Dracula, Stoker introduces a line of characters that are fighting the everlasting conflict. The novel begins with the introduction of Jonathan Harker, a businessman travelling to meet with the eccentric Count Dracula. This seemingly innocent interaction quickly leads to an extraordinarily strange chain of events. The epistolary novel then switches to accounts by Jonathan’s fiancée, Mina who is discussing the odd occurrences affecting her friend Lucy. Despite the best efforts of reasonable Dr. Seward and his colleague Van Helsing, Lucy dies. The characters soon discover that Lucy was under the spell of the …show more content…
all-powerful vampire, Count Dracula. When it is revealed that Mina is his next victim, they rush to develop a strategy to kill him.
The scientific and factual Dr. Seward and Jonathan Harker must work with superstitious and religious Van Helsing to carry out the plan. The combined forces of religion, science, and superstition were paramount to the ultimate defeat of Dracula, which is represented by sacred symbols of Catholicism, advanced technology, and a vast knowledge of vampirism.
In the fight against evil, the group uses traditional holy, Catholic symbols to overpower Dracula. Dracula is often seen as a character parallel to the devil. Thus, the traditional “good” Catholic symbols of the holy host, bible, and crucifix are used as weapons against the evil vampire. The Count’s clear aversions to these symbols perpetuate the notion that good will always overcome evil. The group exploits Dracula’s aversions by using the Catholic symbols
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to their advantage. They prove his true, insidious intentions and finally lead to his downfall. Dr. Seward frequently used a blessed communion wafer, traditionally symbolic to the body of Jesus Christ, in order to repel Dracula. After Mina has been corrupted by Dracula’s powers, Dr. Seward attempted to place the communion wafer on Mina’s forehead. Immediately, “it had seared it- had burned into the flesh as though it had been a piece of white-hot metal” (Stoker 291). Dracula held a similar reaction to the crucifix and could not stand the sight of it. Steven Herbert explains the reasoning behind the repulsion of Catholic imagery. He explains that the crucifix is a “anathema, because it symbolizes the surrender of the go to Spirit so necessary to achieve Wholeness.” This clearly explains Dracula’s opposition to holy symbols and their effectiveness since “in his idolatry, worshipping his own ego above all else, cannot stand the sight of it” (Herbert 1). Nonetheless, as the story moves along and the battle continues, religious symbols alone fail to save Lucy’s life and did not deter Dracula’s possession of Mina. The group realizes that they must work together and share their talents to abolish the newfound evil in their lives. The Victorian era in which Dracula takes place is a society that promotes values of logic, reasoning, and science above superstition.
The characters in the novel must abandon these ideas to fully embrace superstition and immerse themselves in the mythical realm of vampirism. Advanced communication technology like phonographs, telegraphs, and typewriters are used through the novel in order to share important information about Dracula and his weaknesses. As a man of scientific reasoning, Dr. Seward fails to properly diagnose Lucy’s anomalous symptoms and uses the medical technology of blood transfusions to aid in her recovery. While science alone only postpones Dracula’s mission as opposed to thwarting it, the science and technology held a major role in the vampire’s demise. The open-minded outsider, Van Helsing eventually exposed the group to the wonders of superstition and religious intervention, which held precedence over Dr. Seward’s sole logical thinking. As explained by Van Helsing, the danger of this mindset is that “it is the fault of our science that it wants to explain all; and if it explain not, then is says there is nothing to explain” (Stoker 188). In other words, if the group did not extend their forces to superstition and religion, they would have lost the battle to evil, as science cannot deliver all the
answers. The folklore and superstition of vampirism is another force needed in the combination. In fact, science and religion alone could not deter Dracula’s possessing of Mina. Only when combined with superstition the group succeeds. Furthermore, towards the end of the novel Van Helsing acknowledges that “to superstition must we trust at the first; it was man's faith in the early, and it have its root in faith still” (Stoker 321). Early on in the story, the cultured Van Helsing offers his talents and knowledge of the tradition and superstitions of the typical vampire. His research and studies allow the reader and the other characters to understand the strengths and weaknesses of all vampires. Dracula’s most apparent weakness, as pointed out by Steven G. Herbert, is his “aversion to Wholeness, and Antipathy against the light” (Herbert 1). It is explained in the novel that vampires are undead creatures who drink blood, hunt at night, and vehemently oppose sunlight. This weakness allows the characters to walk freely during the day to devise plans and prepare for battle. As mentioned before, Dr. Seward frequently used the blessed communion host, crucifix, and bible as an effective tool against the traditional vampire who serves as a vessel of evil. The precautions taken while killing a vampire is also revealed in the novel when Van Helsing is releasing Lucy from the confines of the undead. He clarifies that they must “Cut off her head and fill her mouth with garlic and drive a stake through her body” (Stoker 198). These are the same techniques the group uses to defend themselves from, an eventually kill, Dracula. It is evident that the characters in the novel must go against all of their senses of logic to conquer evil. Religion, science, and superstition always have been and still are constantly in conflict. However, overlooking their differences and combing their positive assets was the force needed to win the fight against evil. Dracula’s downfall could not be accomplished without the efforts of all the characters and their talents. Logical, scientific Dr. Seward and open-minded, superstitious Van Helsing used their advantages to aid the group. Perhaps the lesson to consider is that humanity must all work together to truly overpower the villainous evils in society.
This book is set in an age where science and the world of the Enlightenment, that is the world of rational thought and proven theories, ruled. Dr. Seward represents this world. It is opposed to the seemingly unexplainable world of Dracula and his world of mystery and fable. The events that the different characters experience, although documented faithfully are thought too unbelievable by Professor Van Helsing to be passed on (p 486). It is as if the truth can't be handled by the world at large or that by retaining the story to themselves the central characters will preserve a very terrible but precious memory. A memory made precious because of the depths of courage and faith that had to be mined by and in each of them.
The story of Dracula has many components of it used in the film The Lost Boys. The comparison’s begin with the vampire. Dracula is centered around the main vampire, Dracula. Dracula has many powers and ways he can alter reality. In the novel Bram Stoker's Dracula we see that there is a power struggle. In all of the universe, no one being has complete control over another. In Dracula God, Dracula, Nature, and Humanity have some form of dominance over another, whether it be direct control or as the instrument through which another must exert its power. In this paper we will examine the different ways that control and power are used.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula includes themes of death, love, and sex. Stoker’s use of empiricism utilizes the idea that everything is happening “now”. The book offers clear insight into who is evil without explicitly saying it. Stoker’s interest in empiricism uses British womanhood as a way to distinguish between good and evil.
Arthur has some extremely important news to share with Quincey P. Morris in relation to defeating Dracula. “Telegram from Arthur Holmwood to Quincey P. Morris 26 May. Count me in every time. I bear messages which will make both your ears tingle” (Stoker 97). Throughout the whole book, many telegrams are sent between each characters. Telegrams are a huge factor in beating Dracula because it helps the characters communicate with each other without physically being there. The mission to defeat the vampire becomes much easier due to fact everyone could spread apart but still have contact with each other. This leads to covering more land which leads to the downfall of the Count. Furthermore, Van Helsing and Jonathan Harker are trying to perform blood transfusions on Lucy
...are depicted in many instances in order to draw upon a source of superstition for added affirmation. Finally, original narrative elements are conceived in order to bring together a central theme of unity, which stresses the teamwork by which the protagonists defeated the vampires. Bram Stoker applies these elements to create an enriching, compelling plot in the novel Dracula.
Religion was the core of his tale, and modeled it. On one side were the humans and on the other Dracula. Through their struggles to defeat the monster, they experienced changes in gender roles, which was also present in real time.
In the universe, no one being has complete control over another. In Bram Stoker's novel Dracula, God, Dracula, Nature, and Humanity have some form of influence over each other, whether it be direct control or as the instrument through which another must exert its power. In this paper I will examine the ways that power and control are presented in Dracula.
First off, in Stoker’s Dracula the reader’s suspension of disbelief is lower as compared to folklore tales. He is a tall creepy old person when first revealed, but later on in the novel he is shown to be more sinister. This creates a sense of mystery and confusion. Another reason is that he is a well developed antagonist. Often times he outsmarts the main characters creating a sense of suspense and irony because the readers know what is going to happen but the characters do not. But the most important reason of them all is the fact that Count Dracula takes elements from folklore and builds upon it. Stoker uses classic folklore to create a foundation for Dracula, for example; Dracula’s powers give him the ability to live forever, or shapeshift into other creatures as well. They also give him weaknesses such as: holy objects and daylight which mitigates his powers. These powers regularly add to the mysterious tone in the book. Count Dracula climbing down the castle wall upside down or moving slowly across a yard as a cloud of vapor makes the reader question what is happening. He has the ability to control the weather and animals as well. Stoker gives him powers from legend to make him a formidable force in the story. Although his appearance is unpleasant, he is quite the seductive character. He uses this to his advantage when trying to turn Mina and Lucy into vampires. Dracula preys on ‘weaker’ beings in a hierarchical system where he feasts on the women and once the women have turned to vampires, they feed on children. He can also use telepathy to tell where other vampires are, however, this works against him in the final chase of the book. In short his powers are unique and interesting and help to make the Count a powerful
Firstly, good and evil was seen throughout the aspect of intuition versus logic of the book. Dr. Seward writes in his diary that, “Yesterday [he] was almost willing to accept Van Helsing’s monstrous ideas; but now they seem to start out lurid before me as outrages on common sense. I have no doubt that he believes it all. I wonder if his mind can have become in any way unhinged. Surely there must be some rational explanation of all these mysterious things.” (174). In the Victorian Era, logic was perceived as good, while intuition was evil and immoral. Dr. Seward writes how he was at first convinced that Lucy was, in fact, a vampire, but later thinks these ideas are outlandish. He is unwilling to accept Van Helsing’s intuition because his thoughts could not be justified by logic, but could be proven merely by beliefs. Similarly, Jonathan has initial feelings about Dracula that he was convinced were wrong as they were not rational thoughts. He writes that, “there is something so strange about this place and all in it that [he] cannot but feel uneasy.” (2...
The late nineteenth century Irish novelist, Bram Stoker is most famous for creating Dracula, one of the most popular and well-known vampire stories ever written. Dracula is a gothic, “horror novel about a vampire named Count Dracula who is looking to move from his native country of Transylvania to England” (Shmoop Editorial Team). Unbeknownst of Dracula’s plans, Jonathan Harker, a young English lawyer, traveled to Castle Dracula to help the count with his plans and talk to him about all his options. At first Jonathan was surprised by the Count’s knowledge, politeness, and overall hospitality. However, the longer Jonathan remained in the castle the more uneasy and suspicious he became as he began to realize just how strange and different Dracula was. As the story unfolded, Jonathan realized he is not just a guest, but a prisoner as well. The horror in the novel not only focuses on the “vampiric nature” (Soyokaze), but also on the fear and threat of female sexual expression and aggression in such a conservative Victorian society.
Through the gothic writing of Stoker, there was a huge intimidation of Dracula coming forth from it. “Stoker spared no effort to present his demonic vampire as dramatically as possible” (Leatherdale 105-17). With this sinister presence of death, people start to panic. As a vampire hunter, it was Helsing’s job to help notify people on how to rid themselves of this demon. Stoker portrays survival in the form of teamwork between the men and women of the novel. These characters soon take survival into their own hands. “‘We must trace each of those boxes; and when we are ready, we must either capture or kill this monster in his lair; or we must, so to speak, sterilize the earth, so that no more he can seek safety in it’” (Stoker 373). At this point in the novel, the characters know about the existence of vampires. The consequences are also put on top priority. The men know of the consequences, yet still want to go after this demon. “By chasing Dracula, the men risk being sentenced to an immortal life as a vampire. This immortality is endless time lived in physical form” (Poquette 35). Knowing the risks of hunting a vampire, the characters ignore them to protect their loved ones. A vampire hunter is an important factor in the novel because without one, the other characters wouldn’t know what to do. Stoker chose right in including
From Transylvania to Hollywood, vampires have transformed from unfamiliar, mysterious personalities to one of the most dominant monsters in the horror genre today. Vampires are one of the oldest and most noted creatures in mythology, with many variations of them around the world. Although the most famous version is Bram Stoker’s Dracula, many variants have come before and after telling of the same legend with their own added ideas and modifications to relate to their cultures. Today, there is a multitude of literary and film works that convey and resurface peoples’ fear of vampires. As gothic works like Dracula, by Bram Stoker and Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire directed by Scott Jeralds share certain traits reflective of the genre;
In the book, Dracula by Bram Stoker there are many characters that display qualities of good verse evil. The Count Dracula is a mysterious character who appears as an odd gentleman but the longer the story goes on Dracula shows his true self. Dracula started infiltrating the lives of anyone who crossed his path and he was not stopping his destruction of others’ lives. Many people were affect by Dracula’s actions but there were two people that Dracula caused an impact on during his rampage. Dracula is an evil, cunning, and selfish character who harms the life of a young man and ruins the future of an innocent woman.
The “Otherness” Dracula possesses reinforces our own norms and beliefs through his transgression that separates him from society and the polarity to Western norms and ideals makes him an effective device for extorting revulsion and horror. Stoker’s novel employs Gothic tradition, providing “the principle embodiments and evocations of cultural anxieties” from which the very Gothic mood and horror is produced, establishing the baseline used to distinguish the modern vampires, as part of vampire mythology within the Gothic (Botting Aftergothic 280). Differences Between Dracula and Twilight The similarities between the two novels are namely Gothic imagery and theme, but the Gothic mood predominates in Dracula over Twilight and it is this difference that makes Twilight not belong in the vampire canon. Horror is the element that Dracula possesses that Edward does not, and it is crucial in the interplay between transgression and limit.
...defeat the enemy. By avoiding an overly simplistic connection between natives and magic and Europeans and science, Stoker forces the reader to consider a difficult question: if rationality and information does not distinguish the British from the “other,” then what does? While we may not be able to definitively characterize Stoker as a pro- or anti-imperialist based on the role he gives these types of information in Dracula, his novel shows how information can blur the distinction between Europeans and the “other.”