Bram Stoker

Born in Dublin, Ireland in He was a sickly child who was enetertained by fantastic stories his mother told him. Dracula is his most famous novel, which was published in 1897 (The end of the Victorian Age). It was not an immediate success, but has been in print continuously since its first publication. Bram Stoker continued writing until he died in BRAM STOKER

Vampire legends and folklore have been popular since ancient times. Bram Stoker uses the historical context of Prince Vlad Dracol, Vlad the Impaler, as the ancestory of his fictional character Count Dracula. In using this historical allusion, Bram Stoker wants to lend his story some credence. BACKGROUND

Bram Stoker uses the conventions of Gothic fiction, a genre that was popular in the early nineteenth century. He includes such Gothic elements as a gloomy castles, sublime landscapes of nature, innocent women, and an inescapable evil. Through his story, Stoker shows the juxtaposition of two colliding worlds of the Victorian time period: the count’s ancient and superstitious Transylvania and Jonathan Harker’s modern London with its scientific advancements (Darwin’s theory of evolution versus religious thought, and the Industrial Revolution), shift from traditional beliefs which includes modern roles for women (Industrial Revolution and women joining the work force in certain roles) and their sexuality (single virgin, wife and mother versus the working woman). GENRE

Jonathan Harker travels to Castle Dracula in Transylvania to conclude a real estate transaction with Count Dracula. After a few days, Jonathan realizes that he is a prisoner in the castle, the Count is not what he appears, and the three lovely ladies are more dangerous than he could imagine. Jonathan plans his escape. In an English seaside town, Mina is visiting Lucy who must decide which of the men to pick as her future husband. Meanwhile, Dracula has arrived in England. Dr. Seward’s patient Renfield is a fascinating study, and Lucy starts to act differently. Dr. Seward sends for Van Helsing to assist with Lucy’s strange illness. SUMMARY

Van Helsing recognizes the signs of a vampire and they try blood transfusions to save Lucy. Through unfortunate events, Lucy is lost and must be destroyed to save her soul. Mina goes to Budapest to retrieve Jonathan where he is recovering from a brain fever. Upon their return, the hunt for Dracula begins urgently and comes to its conclusion. SUMMARY CONTINUED

Themes: consequences of modern life, the threat of female sexual expression, the promise of Christian salvation, gender roles, good versus evil, Motifs: blood, science versus superstition, Christian iconography, Symbols: the weird sisters (female vampires), stake driven through the heart, the Czarina Catherine, THEMES, MOTIFS, AND SYMBOLS

Count Dracula – a centuries-old vampire and Transylvanian nobleman. Inhabits a castle in the Carpathian Mountains, but wants to expand and move to London. Possesses supernatural powers though has limitations as well. Van Helsing – a Dutch professor and scientist who can straddle both the superstitious and modern worlds. Jonathan Harker – A young lawyer whose firm is hired by Count Dracula for real estate transactions. CHARACTERS

Mina Murray – Jonathan Harker’s fiancee. A practical young schoolmistress and best friend to Lucy Westenra. She is intelligent and resourceful. Lucy Westenra – Mina best friend and the count’s first victim of the novel. John Seward – A talented and young doctor, former student of Van Helsing. Now administrator of an insane asylum. CHARACTERS

Arthur Holmwood – Lucy’s fiance` and friend of her other suitors. Quincey Morris – An American from Texas, and another of Lucy’s suitors. Renfield – A patient at Seward’s mental asylum. Consumes living creatures for their life force; he is connected to Dracula. Mrs. Westenra – Lucy’s mother. A frail old woman. CHARACTERS

Dracula is a collection of journal entries, letters, newspaper articles, and memos. This is done to try to make the story seem realistic. This narrative technique puts the reader in the position of judge and we are to interpret the evidence as best we can. Some of the events are told from multiple points of view, so there isn’t just one character that the reader is to sympathize with in the story. STRUCTURE