Dracula By Bram Stoker

Abraham “Bram” Stoker Irish novelist born in Dublin on November 8, 1847 Died in London on April 12, 1912 Raised Protestant, but themes in Dracula suggest he questioned his faith. Published Dracula in 1897 Inspired by Irish vampire legends and the brutal acts of Vlad the Impaler.

Vlad the Impaler Vlad the Impaler, a.k.a. Vlad Dracula, was born in late 1431, in Transylvania. Vlad Dracula translates to “son of the devil.” In the winter of 1447, Vlad Dracul (Vlad Dracula’s father) was assassinated by one of his relatives, a devout Christian, since Dracul had allied himself with the Islamic Turks. In 1456, Vlad Dracula killed his father's murderer and took over as the new ruler of Wallachia, Romania.

Vlad the Impaler In 1569, following an Easter Sunday feast, Vlad Dracula had all the peasant families arrested.  Those who were in good health were forced into slavery. Those who were old and weak were impaled on spikes for all to see.  Rumors spread throughout Romania that Vlad would sit in the fields at mealtime and fill his drinking cup with blood from his dying victims. Vlad hated non-Christians, making it a policy to kill any non-practicing Christians living in Wallachia. . Fearing for their lives, Wallachian peasants placed crosses on their front lawns and doorways to keep Dracula at bay. This is how Dracula’s fear of crosses was created!

Dracula Gothic Horror – a genre of literature that combines elements of horror and romance. This style of literature is closely associated with “Gothic Revival” architecture, and thus one will often find setting of great importance.

Dracula Common Elements of Gothic Horror: Psychological Terror Physical Terror Ghosts The Supernatural Haunted Houses Darkness Death Secrets Madness Curses

Characters Jonathan Harker – Lawyer (solicitor) that travels to Transylvania to conduct business with Count Dracula – engaged to Mina Murray. Count Dracula – A Transylvanian Nobleman – an “undead”, a vampire Mina Murray (Harker) – Modern woman (for her day) – engaged to Jonathan Harker, best friends with Lucy Westenra Lucy Westenra – the “wilting flower,” typical Victorian woman. Courted by Seward, Holmwood, and Morris, but agrees to marry Arthur Holmwood.

Characters Dr. John Seward – Head doctor of an insane asylum that is on the adjacent property to Dracula’s London house, Carfax. He is in love with Lucy Westenra. R.M. Renfield – A patient at the asylum, tries to eat other living things. Arthur Holmwood – Rich Englishman, engaged to Lucy Westenra. Quincey Morris – Rugged American from Texas, also in love with Lucy Westenra Dr. Abraham Van Helsing – A professor from the Netherlands, an old friend of John Seward’s. A vampire hunter.

Narrators Dracula is an epistolary novel written as a collection of journal entries, telegrams, letters, and newspaper clippings. Narrators include Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray, Lucy Westenra, Dr. John Seward, and Dr. Abraham Van Helsing. Allows for multiple points of view to tell the story of Count Dracula.

Settings Transylvania (Modern Day Romania) and England end of the 19th century Transylvania – Bistritz – a small inn Borgo Pass – near Castle Dracula Castle Dracula – in the Carpathian Mountains England – Whitby – a seaside town Hampstead Heath London – Picadilly Carfax Abbey and Dr. Seward’s Asylum

Castle Dracula

Settings Map

Dracula – Settings - Transylvania

Dracula – Settings - Whitby

Dracula – Settings - London

Dracula – Some Literary Elements Symbols – Crucifix, Communion Wafer, Holy Water, Garlic, Blood, Wolves. Allusions – Many from the Bible, some from Shakespeare, other works of literature especially poetry.

Dracula - Themes Feminism in the Victorian Era Good vs. Evil Religion Science vs. Superstition Sexuality Modernism vs. Traditionalism