Gothic Setting In Dracula

Dracula by Bram Stoker is an authentic Gothic novel that manages to hit on every Gothic literature aspect. Gothic literature is usually set in an isolated setting and has a dark, mysterious, and evil tone. In this type of literature, there are usually dark castles, palaces, presences of supernatural beings, and religion. The book Dracula is about a Count from Transylvania that goes to London in search of new victims and a group of Victorian citizens who end up defeating him and his evil ways. The use of setting and atmosphere in Dracula is filled with a world full of mystery and fear. Bram Stoker manages to capture the Gothic element with his use of castles, symbols, and isolated setting.

The Gothic name developed because the novel's setting had been usually in Gothic architecture such as castles. In Dracula when Jonathan arrives to the ruined castle of Count Dracula, Jonathan describes the castle. It had detailed carving that “had been much worn by time and weather” (Stoker 16). These descriptions help the reader picture something old and mysterious. Castles often hold a lot of history which help give that eerie tone that no one knows what

has happened inside.
In Dracula there are many symbols that help set the atmosphere of fear and mystery. In the book, Jonathan says “doors, doors, doors everywhere, and all locked and bolted” (Stoker 27). The sight of the doors gives the feeling that there are hidden secrets. One wonders what is behind the locked doors. The fact that the castle's walls, battlements, and casements are broken is another symbol that everything is dying. Jonathan goes on to explore some more and finds furniture that was “dusty with age and moth-eaten” (Stoker 35). This is all a representation of Count Dracula since he is already dead and old.
The setting is in Transylvania, which is an already isolated location.

The further Jonathan travels the wilder and less modern it gets. The land is sparsely populated and has no main roads to enter or leave. The land is also filled with vicious howling wolves. In the beginning, Jonathan tells of his travels from place to place and how beautiful it is, but then once he is on his way to Count Dracula’s castle, the setting starts to change. Jonathan begins to describe “the rising wind, for it moaned and whistled through the rocks (Stoker 13)” it starts to become more frightful and gloomy. Jonathan also starts mentioning a white blanket covering them as he is on his way to the castle. This too adds a sense of fear and mystery because no one likes to not be able to see what is surrounding them. This is foreshadowing what is to

come.
In conclusion, the book Dracula is overall a Gothic novel. The use of setting and atmosphere entices the reader to finish the book with its fear and mystery. Stoker goes about capturing the feel of fear and mystery by his use of castles, symbols, and isolated setting. The fear and mystery are present throughout the whole book which helps the book become such a great read.