Review of Dracula by Bram Stoker

**Review of Dracula by Bram Stoker**

Dracula (1897) by Bram Stoker is a classic Gothic horror novel that introduced one of the most iconic and enduring figures in literature: Count Dracula, the vampire. Set in Victorian England, the novel unfolds through a series of journal entries, letters, and newspaper clippings, presenting a multi-faceted narrative about the terrifying influence of Dracula and his attempts to spread his vampiric curse. The novel explores themes of sexuality, fear of the foreign, colonialism, and the struggle between good and evil. With its dark atmosphere, chilling suspense, and psychological depth, Dracula is not just a supernatural thriller but a profound exploration of the anxieties and moral questions that preoccupied late Victorian society.

Themes in Dracula

The Fear of the Foreign and the “Other”: One of the central themes of Dracula is the fear of the foreign, embodied in the character of Count Dracula himself. Dracula, who comes from Eastern Europe, represents the “Other”—a mysterious, threatening force that is alien to the values of Victorian England. His arrival in England represents a challenge to the social order, as he brings with him ancient customs, dark powers, and a stark contrast to the modern, civilized world. The novel reflects the Victorian fear of immigration and racial purity, as well as a fear of the uncontrolled and unfamiliar forces that threatened the stability of the empire. Dracula’s ability to infiltrate the world of the English, subverting their values and their sexual mores, further heightens the sense of cultural invasion.
Sexuality and Sexual Repression: Dracula is often read as a commentary on Victorian sexual mores and the repression of desire in that era. Dracula’s biting of women, especially Lucy Westenra, is imbued with sexual undertones. The act of Dracula biting his victims can be seen as a metaphor for sexual assault and corruption, with his hypnotic power and control over his victims’ wills representing the threat of uncontrolled desire. Conversely, the women’s transformation into vampires also symbolizes the loss of female purity and the sexual awakening that threatens the traditional patriarchal order. Lucy’s transformation from a sweet, innocent young woman into a seductive vampire reflects the tension between the virginal ideal and the sexual freedom embodied by Dracula, suggesting that the novel explores how sexuality was both feared and repressed during the Victorian era.
The Struggle Between Good and Evil: At its core, Dracula is a novel about the battle between good and evil. Dracula represents pure evil, with his immortality, power, and ability to corrupt those around him. In contrast, the protagonists—Jonathan Harker, Mina Harker, Lucy, and the men in her life, particularly Professor Abraham Van Helsing—embody the forces of good. The novel is driven by the protagonists’ attempts to defeat Dracula, with their quest for purity, redemption, and spiritual integrity serving as the antithesis to Dracula’s corrupting influence. The group’s unyielding resolve to destroy Dracula reflects the Victorian belief in moral certainty, where the battle between good and evil is depicted as black and white, with no room for ambiguity.
The Supernatural and the Unnatural: Dracula explores the intersection of the supernatural with the scientific. The novel is rich with Gothic horror, and Dracula is portrayed as both a supernatural force and a human being with a mysterious and ambiguous past. He is both a figure of dark myth and a powerful otherworldly creature, and his supernatural powers—such as his ability to transform into a bat or wolf and his mastery over the weather—are set against the rationality of Victorian science. In contrast, Van Helsing and his companions approach the problem of Dracula with a mixture of rational scientific thought and spiritual belief, demonstrating the tension between science and superstition in the Victorian era. The novel suggests that evil can transcend human understanding and resist the scientific knowledge of the time, but also emphasizes the importance of human ingenuity and spirit in confronting darkness.
Immortality and Death: The themes of immortality and death are explored through Dracula’s character, who is a vampire cursed with eternal life. This immortality represents a kind of unnatural existence, one that is devoid of purpose and growth. Dracula, in his pursuit of spreading his vampiric curse, seeks to create an immortal army, highlighting the corruption of life that immortality entails. In contrast, the characters in the novel—particularly Jonathan Harker, Mina, and Lucy—are depicted as mortals whose lives are bound by time. Dracula’s immortality, in the end, is presented as cursed—an endless cycle of darkness, while the final destruction of Dracula represents the restoration of natural death and spiritual peace.

Character Roles in Dracula

Count Dracula: Count Dracula is the central antagonist of the novel, and his role is not just that of a vampire, but as a symbol of evil that challenges both the moral order and the scientific understanding of the time. Dracula is a foreign invader, whose motives are deeply tied to the novel’s themes of cultural invasion and the fear of the unknown. His malevolent control over the women in the novel represents the subversion of Victorian sexual norms, while his struggle with the protagonists represents the novel’s ultimate exploration of good versus evil. Dracula’s death at the hands of the protagonists is a victory of good, restoring the natural order of life and death, but his legacy continues to haunt the characters, suggesting that evil may never be fully vanquished.
Jonathan Harker: Jonathan Harker is one of the primary protagonists of Dracula. He begins the novel as a young solicitor, traveling to Transylvania to assist Count Dracula with a real estate transaction. His role is pivotal in the novel’s unfolding mystery—he is the first to encounter Dracula and, through his letters and journals, provides the reader with essential insight into the nature of the vampire. Harker’s initial shock and fear are contrasted with his growing resolve and bravery as he uncovers Dracula’s true intentions. As the novel progresses, Harker evolves from a passive victim to an active participant in the fight against Dracula, symbolizing the ordinary man’s resistance to evil.
Mina Harker: Mina Harker, Jonathan’s wife, plays a crucial role in the novel, representing the ideal of feminine purity and strength. Mina is intelligent, resourceful, and central to the novel’s action. She is one of the primary characters affected by Dracula’s curse, and her relationship with him brings out both her vulnerability and inner strength. Mina’s transformation into a vampire is both a physical and symbolic journey, as it represents her fall from innocence and her eventual redemption. Her connection to Dracula’s evil influence is pivotal in the novel’s exploration of the battle between good and evil. Despite being possessed by Dracula, Mina remains a symbol of humanity’s resilience and ultimately plays a key role in his destruction.
Professor Abraham Van Helsing: Professor Van Helsing is one of the most important characters in Dracula. He is a Dutch doctor, renowned for his knowledge of obscure diseases, and is called upon to assist in Lucy’s mysterious illness. Van Helsing’s deep understanding of the supernatural makes him the leader of the group in their quest to defeat Dracula. He represents the rational and scientific mind, but also incorporates elements of spiritual belief, making him the perfect character to bridge the divide between science and superstition. Van Helsing’s intelligence, leadership, and unyielding resolve make him a heroic figure in the fight against Dracula, embodying the human capacity to confront evil with both knowledge and faith.
Lucy Westenra: Lucy Westenra, Mina’s best friend, is the first character to fall under Dracula’s curse, symbolizing the corruption of innocence. Initially depicted as a sweet, virtuous, and beautiful young woman, Lucy’s transformation into a vampire represents the loss of innocence and the reversal of sexual purity. Her vulnerability to Dracula’s advances serves as the catalyst for the novel’s moral exploration of desire, death, and rebirth. Lucy’s tragic fate—her eventual death and subsequent resurrection as a vampire—serves as a turning point in the novel, marking the shift from passivity to action among the protagonists. Her death and the efforts to save her soul underscore the novel’s exploration of life, death, and spiritual redemption.

Linguistic Tools in Dracula

Epistolary Format: One of the most notable aspects of Dracula is its epistolary structure, told through a series of journal entries, letters, newspaper clippings, and diaries. This format creates an intimate, fragmented view of the events, providing multiple perspectives on the unfolding horror. It allows readers to experience the emotional turmoil of the characters firsthand and increases the novel’s sense of suspense and mystery. The multiple viewpoints also heighten the sense of realism and immediacy, allowing the story to unfold in a way that feels grounded in reality, despite the supernatural events.
Symbolism and Imagery: Stoker uses rich symbolism and evocative imagery throughout the novel. For example, the vampire’s bite is repeatedly described in sexualized terms, representing the threat of sexual violence and the loss of control over one’s own body. Dracula’s castle is depicted as a gothic labyrinth, representing both the mystery and the entrapment of the unknown. The blood imagery in the novel is a recurring symbol of life, death, and power, with Dracula’s bite serving as a literal and figurative draining of the victim’s vitality.
Atmospheric Tone: Stoker’s language is crucial in creating the atmosphere of Dracula. Through his use of dark, foreboding language, he creates an immersive world filled with gothic horror. Descriptions of fog, gloom, decay, and night establish the novel’s ominous tone, evoking fear and suspense. The weather, particularly the stormy nights and fog, is also used as a metaphor for the unpredictable and uncertain nature of Dracula’s power.
Foreshadowing: Stoker employs foreshadowing to build tension throughout the novel. Early references to Dracula’s strange behavior and the unsettling atmosphere in his castle provide clues about the nature of the creature, while Lucy’s deteriorating health and her eerie symptoms foreshadow her eventual transformation into a vampire. Stoker uses these subtle hints to keep readers engaged and anticipating the horrifying events to come.

Conclusion

Dracula by Bram Stoker is a groundbreaking Gothic horror novel that remains deeply influential to this day. Through its exploration of themes like the fear of the foreign, sexuality, good vs. evil, and the struggle for immortality, the novel remains a timeless meditation on the complexities of human nature and society’s fears. With its rich symbolism, evocative imagery, and suspenseful atmosphere, Dracula continues to captivate readers, offering insights into both the psychology of fear and the moral dilemmas that shape our lives.