A beloved classic of gothic fiction, Dracula has enchanted readers across the globe for over a century. The concept of vampires awakens our primitive fears of death, disease, and the fragility of human nature, while simultaneously luring us in by subconsciously appealing to our own desires and anxieties. I was introduced to this 19th century novel in my British Literature class, where we analyzed the history and the impact of the vampiric phenomenon. Bram Stoker’s Dracula is widely viewed as a metaphor for the Victorian fear of societal progress, specifically regarding women, and highlights several controversies such as the “New Woman,” the symbol of blood, and the theme of infection.
Nevertheless, Dracula is composed of journal entries, letters, and telegrams from the perspective of each of the main characters. We follow Jonathan Harker and his journey to the Eastern European country of Transylvania to finalize a property transaction with Count Dracula. During Harker’s business trip, he comes to realize that the Count is not as hospitable as he originally seemed and he finds himself a prisoner of the Count’s forbidding, ominous castle. There, he encounters Dracula’s supernatural powers and the spell he has cast on the rest of the confinement. He is nearly attacked by three seductive, blood-thirsty female vampires, and soon attempts to escape despite his only option of climbing down the castle’s walls. In the meantime, Harker’s fiancé, Mina, is busy taking care of her friend Lucy Westenra back in England after she had been violently attacked by a mysterious vampiric creature in the graveyard. Once Van Helsing realizes how dangerous the un-dead can be, they all set out to impale and decapitate Lucy to put her to eternal rest, and sterilize the boxes of earth Dracula rests in. However, further problems arise when Renfield, one of Dr. Seward’s mental patients in the asylum, lets Dracula inside where Jonathan Harker and Mina are seeking refuge.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula ultimately provides a strong voice on politics and the morality of society, at a time when that was considered irrational and senseless. Stoker’s tone offers an unparalleled passion and suspense that keeps his readers on the edge of their seat, eager to discover more about these powerful, alluring creatures. Transformation and unrequited love are universal themes that everyone can relate to, making this novel one of the most significant pieces of Gothic horror literature in history. I highly recommend Dracula to anyone looking for a dark, mysterious read loaded with historical allusions and the unveiling of many old European anxieties.
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