In the novel Dracula, by Bram Stoker, religion plays an extreme role in various ways. The appearance of faith, particularly Christianity, creates a barrier between the East and Western cultures of Europe, and noticeably affects the lives of those who are followers of God. The battle between religion and science is visible in several events, and a copious amount of people struggle to find a balance. Because religion and superstition greatly direct the mood of the story, the power of God is present as well. The separation of good and evil affects the main characters, but ultimately, to defeat the powerful anti-Christ like figure, faith is needed, which leads to the relevance of religion through the novel.
Although the main belief during
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the Victorian Era was the Christian faith, because of the advances in science and technology, many people throughout England resort to proven science rather than faith as science becomes seemingly more reliable.
Due to their modern technology, the people of the Western culture are disabled from their advances in spirituality, and lack belief in things they cannot see and explain. The English completely rely on science and facts which they can grasp, but when Dracula, the unexplainable, mysterious creature poses a threat, science is unable to benefit them. Doubting the existence of the deadly vampire puts them in harm, being the only way for society to defeat the unknown evil is with faith. Along Van Helsing's journey to conquer Dracula, he reminds Seward of the concern of finding a balance between both science and faith to further understand what they will see. "It is the fault of our science that it wants to explain all; and if it explain not, then it says there is nothing to explain" …show more content…
(Stoker 205). Van Helsing is the only man who possesses a mind intelligent enough to incorporate his knowledge of the new and old world into his thinking. Because faith is defined as a "belief that is not based on proof," Dracula is connected. Like God, Dracula is an extreme figure that must be trusted to be dangerous until he is seen. Therefore, the acceptance of Dracula being a threat to humanity enhances the confidence the characters have in God along their journey as they begin to discover the truth and save Europe. The importance of balancing, and understanding both the superstitious and religious outlook, along with the scientific explanation in every situation becomes crucial to Van Helsing and his team. Religion is portrayed in another way, through Dracula himself.
As Jonathan Harker enters the East, he immediately faces a warning of the evil that awaits him, as a Transylvanian woman offers him a sign of protection on the train. The situation occurs when he is assisted by a woman obtaining much knowledge on the danger of that area, as he explains, "Taking a crucifix from her neck, she offered it to me" (Stoker 9). Harker instantly notices not only a change between the scenery of the Eastern and Western cultures of Europe, but also the importance of superstition to the East and the dangers of evil versus the savior of the good. If Dracula were an ordinary human that created danger, the crucifix would not be such a necessity. However, through the English men's discovery of Dracula, they suggest the vampire as an unclean being that does not belong on Earth, and is shunned by God. After being attacked, Mina places a piece of sacred wafer on her forehead to be cleansed through God and His holiness, displaying the salvation of God. Dracula presents a dangerous threat as an Anti-Christ like figure because he is prevented through the crucifix and Christian icons, and contradicts the safety and lovingness of God. His thirst for blood however, relates to the drinking of the blood of Christ in mass; a sign of respect and love for God. In relation to God the almighty, Dracula wishes to be praised like a god as he contains his highness in Transylvania and dreams of more power “in the
midst of humanity.” Not only the leaders of the experiment to exterminate Dracula are affected by religion, but also, the appearance of minor characters validate the strength of God, and the power of good rather than evil. Jonathan, one of the early figures of the book exhibits a love and hope for God while in danger. In his journal, after Dracula asks him to address three letters on certain dates, he begs for protection when he writes, “I know now the span of my life. God help me!” (Stoker 47). Luckily, Harker escapes the danger of Dracula’s castle by the love and help of God. Additionally, Van Helsing, a main source for the reason behind the importance of faith within the novel explains his mission, and presents the emphasis of the Victorian devotion to a sinless life. “Thus are we ministers of God’s own wish: that the world, and men for whom His Son die, will not be given over to monsters, whose very existence would defame Him. He has allowed us to redeem one soul already, and we go out as the old knights of the Cross to redeem more” (Stoker 340). Helsing is one of the few characters who acquires an appreciation for faith from the beginning of the novel. An example of a character who is touched by the grace of God at a point in the novel is Renfield. Toward the beginning of the story, Renfield’s addiction to consuming living creatures, classified as a “zoöphagous maniac” by Seward, appears similar to the interests of Dracula. By the end of his life however, his sympathetic, loving side begins to appear. Renfield cares for Mina, warning her to leave before she is in danger. The singular explanation for his transition of a person can only be made clear though one thing; the power of God including His goodness and love for humanity. God’s grace changes, and improves the lives of those who experience it. The portrayal of religion is demonstrated throughout the entire novel within multiple aspects of the story, while several characters are used to exhibit the impact of God, and importance of faith. Differences between the people, and beliefs, within the East and Western societies of Europe present the emphasis of protection through faith. One culture relies on science, while the other believes in magic, superstition, and religion. The relevance of both is displayed along Van Helsing's journey to overcome the hazardous vampire. A battle between Christ, the savior, and Dracula, the unholy and immortal being enhances a danger and curiosity of the unknown. Nevertheless, Jonathan Harker, Van Helsing, and the various men that partake in the journey to overcome Dracula face the same question; What does the effect of God do to humanity?
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.
Life is a cruel. It, will attempt to take one down; it will humble one; it will attempt to break many down. In moments one may not know what to do, instead he/she must a find a way to use what they have around them as an advantage to defeat the problems that stands their way. Throughout dark fiction, authors utilise different elements as a tool to defeating the antagonist. the story Dracula uses completely different approaches in taking down the mighty Dracula. In the novel Dracula, Bram Stoker effectively employs the different elements that are used to defeat Dracula. Stoker effectively demonstrates the elements that are used to destroy Dracula through act of Religion, the aspect of Science and the setting.
This fictional character was soon to be famous, and modified for years to come into movie characters or even into cereal commercials. But the original will never be forgotten: a story of a group of friends all with the same mission, to destroy Dracula. The Count has scared many people, from critics to mere children, but if one reads between the lines, Stoker’s true message can be revealed. His personal experiences and the time period in which he lived, influenced him to write Dracula in which he communicated the universal truth that good always prevails over evil. Religion was a big part of people’s lives back in Stoker’s time.
Throughout ‘Dracula’, Stoker presents the idea of ‘foreigner’ through the characterisation of Count Dracula and Professor Van Helsing, who are the two main outsiders in the novel. Dracula, being a supernatural creature, is of Transylvanian descent which makes him such a poignant character. On the other hand, Van Helsing is a Roman Catholic, and is of a Dutch background, which also highlights him as a foreigner within ‘Dracula.’ In this essay I will explore how these two characters are represented and the intention behind the idea of ‘foreigner.’
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.
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.
While studying the diabolical figures in the devil, the idea of presenting Dracula came to mind. Dracula represents the devil in many similar ways. Dracula remains as a character in many diabolical movies and films. For instance, Van Helsing provides a good interpret of how Dracula remains noticed in the past and in present day. Although Dracula’s character obtains different views in every movie and film, he plays an important role in Stephen Sommers Van Helsing movie. In the movie, he acts as many different things. Demonstrating both the kind and evil inside, Dracula portrays his character as a mystery. Different views of Dracula throughout the movie include harsh, strong, powerful, evil, the devil, and unstoppable. The studies of Dracula
Stoker has rendered the reader to see the Count as physically strong and powerful, through Jonathan Harker and his confinement and Lucy Westenra and her failing health. Although the reader does not understand all the omniscient powers and control that Count Dracula possesses over people, they are brought to light through Dr Steward’s accounts of his patient R.M. Renfield. The ‘strange and sudden change’ (Stoker, 86), that has happened in Renfield evokes the reader to contemplate the Count’s influence over people. Dr Steward suggests it is as though a ‘religious mania has seized’ Renfield (Stoker, 87), and is controlling him. The reader is aware that Renfield can feel the Counts presence and that there is a connection between them. This eventually leads Van Helsing to recognize the bond between Mina Harker and the Count, which helps them to find Dracula and finally kill him. Dracula’s invasion over Renfield also reveals a weakness in the Counts power. Renfield, an obedient servant of Dracula, claims he is ‘here to do Your bidding, Master. I am Your slave’ (Stoker, 88). Renfield’s devotion is quickly reversed when he sees that the Count is taking life from Mina. It is his care for her that causes him to turn against Dracula and try to fight for her. Again Renfield’s actions mimic that of the other men as it becomes their goal to save Mina from the invasion running through her body. The key to this invasion is the blood.
‘Dracula’ is a novel that probes deeply into people’s superstitions, fears and beliefs of the supernatural. The creature Dracula is an evil being with no concern for others, he kills for his own ends and cannot be stopped, and this is what makes ‘Dracula’ truly frightening.
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; These factors include setting, actions of each vampire, the initial reactions to news of them, and how their presence affects the people who live within the region the vampires inhabit.
Dracula, by Bram Stoker, is a classic tale of Gothicism. Traditionally, gothic tales only carried single theme of horror. Through Dracula, Stoker breaks this single theme barrier. The theme throughout Dracula is clearly displayed through the characters as they step from ignorance to realization in this tale of horror.
it horrifies us and reinforces our sense of boundaries and normalcy” (Halberstam 13). Assuming that Bram Stoker’s Dracula sets the archetype of the vampire, it is clear that modern vampires have demonstrated a decrease in the Gothic horror despite similarities in the Gothic imagery and themes, and such a shift is attributed to a changing value of the limit within society and postmodernism. The Count is the benchmark of the vampire archetype as the monstrous Other that “announces itself as the place of corruption” (Anolik and Howard 1). Dracula is associated with disruption and transgression of accepted limits—a monstrosity of great evil that serves to guarantee the existence of good (Punter and Byron 231).
The novel Dracula by Bram Stoker has plentiful examples of key concepts we have examined in class including: Purity and impurity, magical thinking, strong emotions such as disgust and shame, , formalization, and myth. In this essay I will summarize events that take place within the novel when the protagonists deal with Dracula and then relate these events to the key concepts to demonstrate why the characters view him as dangerous, and therefore something to be avoided completely.
Some people may argue that the theme of religion in Dracula by Bram Stoker reflects the faith of characters. To prove so, they would refer to the Bible and quote, “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove: and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (King James Version, Matthew, 17:20). Thus, people who do not believe and have faith in God are not able to use holy symbols. In Dracula by Bram Stoker, all the characters have faith in God which is why they are able to use the crucifix, the Host, and the holly water to win over Dracula. Moreover, if there is no faith in the novel then Stoker would have chosen a place other than the “Hospital of St Joseph and Ste Mary” (83) to take care of Harker after going out of the Count’s castle.