Dracula
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Dracula
Bram Stokers Dracula is one of the most renowned British novels of all time. It has left its marks on many aspects of literature and film. Many thematic elements are present throughout the story and have been interpreted in many ways. Stoker uses his characters to manifest the themes that he wishes to imply. Three themes that present themselves throughout the book are the theme of Christian Redemption, science and technology, and sexual expression.
Christian Redemption is shown in many ways throughout the book. Very early in the book when Jonathon Harker is making his journey to the Counts castle he makes a stop where he is given crucifixes. The people who give them to him tell him how they will protect him. The crosses are a way to show that Christianity will promise protection. Also, the communion wafers that are used multiple times throughout the book show how the Christian faith will save and protect you. An example of this is when Van Helsing drops the holy wafers into the tomb of Dracula to ensure that he may never return. The theme of Christianity throughout the novel is also present in the battle of good versus evil. The most prominent example of this is when Mina is burned on the forehead by the Communion Wafer. After being burned Mina screams, “Unclean! Unclean! Even the Almighty shuns my polluted flesh!” (Stoker, p 314). This event represents how the Christian object is truly good as it scars an evil spirit in the vampire. Another example of the conflict of good and evil is in Jonathons bedroom when Mina is drinking Draculas blood. Mina, the pure, chaste being, is dressed in all white while Dracula, the evil, corrupt being, is clad in pure black. The way the two are dressed is a representation of the contrast of good and evil. However, the most pronounced showing of the theme of Christian redemption is when a vampire is slain. The first example of this is when Lucy is finally killed. Stoker uses the terminology “releasing the soul” when referring to the killing of a vampire. Lucy had been transformed into a bloodsucking, killing monster. However, when she is “saved” by the forces of good by cutting her head off, stuffing her mouth with garlic, and driving a steak through her heart, her former beauty is restored. Stoker writes, “Death had given back park of her beauty, for her brow and cheeks had recovered some of their flowing lines; even the lips had lost their deadly pallor” (Stoker, p 169). Even when Dracula is killed, he has a look of tranquility on his face. Mina writes in her journal, “I shall be glad as long as I live that even in that moment of final dissolution, there was in the face a look of peace, such as I never could have imagined might have rested there” (Stoker, p 398). The Christian rituals and symbols that are used throughout the book represent how the faith will protect you from evil and save you from eternal hell. In the Victorian Era, there was an emergence of the belief that you will receive personal salvation through Christ. In Dracula, characters such as Lucy, Mina, even Dracula, received personal salvation at some point in the novel. Sometimes the book can even be propagandistic towards the Christian faith. However, the thematic element of Christian Redemption is still a major part of the novel.
Science and technology play a huge role in the forming the story of Dracula. Published in 1897, the book is considered a Late Victorian – Early Modern novel. The early modern aspect of the book can be seen in the science and technology thematic element. When the group travels to England in search of Dracula, more new technologies are present. For instance, Dr. Seward records his diary on a phonograph in Chapter XXIV. The phonograph was a new invention of the time period and was utilized in the novel. Other examples include the newly improved weaponry brought by Quincey Morris. The new Winchester was used to help fight off the wolves in the fight with Dracula. In the pursuit of the Count near the end of the book, the group utilizes many of the new inventions of the time period. These new technologies include the train time tables that Mina memorized, the telegraph to communicate the whereabouts of Dracula, and the new developments in forensic science that help the group track Dracula down. However, the fact that the new technologies are in the story, is not the only aspect of the theme science and technology. Another facet of the thematic element is the battle of science versus the supernatural. Van Helsing is the first to realize that Dracula is too powerful to defeat with only the newly acquired weapons and tools. It takes intelligence and courage more than technology. However, without the new technology, the group would never have been in a situation to kill Dracula. Dr. Seward is also involved in the battle of science and superstition. His patient, Renfield, displays very peculiar antics. The only way that Seward can account for these maladies is by labeling him as a zoophagous maniac. However, over time Seward will realize that science is not the explanation for Renfields behavior, but rather a supernatural being named Dracula. Science and technology is represented in the new inventions of the time period and also the conflict of science versus superstition.
A third, and most pronounced, thematic element present in Dracula is sexual expression. Early manifestations of this include the character of Lucy. When Lucy is diagnosed with a severe loss of blood, Van Helsing recognized the need for a blood transfusion. Stokers descriptions of the transfusions are very explicit and sexual. The sharing of bodily