Review of Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897)
Review of Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897)
Introduction
Published in 1897, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a landmark in Gothic horror literature and arguably the most famous vampire novel ever written. Stoker’s tale of the sinister Count Dracula, a Transylvanian nobleman who seeks to spread the undead curse to England, has influenced generations of vampire fiction and established the modern archetype of the vampire. Dracula not only terrifies readers with its supernatural elements, but also delves deeply into themes of sexuality, immigration, and the clash between Victorian morality and the more primitive, instinctual forces embodied by Dracula. Combining elements of horror, Gothic fiction, and Victorian social anxieties, Dracula is an essential read for anyone interested in the evolution of the horror genre.
Plot Summary
The novel is told through a series of diary entries, letters, and newspaper clippings, which create a sense of immediacy and realism, as the characters document their own involvement in the horrific events. The story begins with Jonathan Harker, an English solicitor, traveling to Transylvania to assist Count Dracula with a real estate transaction. Soon after arriving at Dracula’s castle, Harker realizes that he is a prisoner and that Dracula is not a typical nobleman, but a creature of the night—a vampire with supernatural powers.
After escaping the castle, Harker returns to England, but Dracula follows him, bringing his evil influence to London. Over time, Dracula begins to seduce and transform Harker’s fiancée, Mina, into a vampire. Along with Mina’s friend Lucy, who has also fallen victim to Dracula’s bite, the group of protagonists—Harker, Mina, Lucy’s fiancé Arthur Holmwood, and others—join forces to stop Dracula’s reign of terror. The narrative follows their efforts to track down and defeat the vampire, culminating in a final confrontation in Dracula’s native land of Transylvania.
Themes
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Fear of the Unknown and the Other:
One of the central themes of Dracula is the fear of the foreign or the other, as represented by Count Dracula, who is portrayed as both a physical and moral alien to the Victorian English characters. Dracula’s arrival in England is symbolic of the foreign invasion, and his status as a vampire—a creature that defies natural and societal laws—provokes fear and anxiety in the characters. The novel uses Dracula as a vehicle for exploring the fears of immigration, degeneration, and the threat of cultural contamination in Victorian society. -
Sexuality and Desire:
Another significant theme is the way Dracula engages with Victorian concerns about sexuality and sexual repression. The vampire is a symbol of unrestrained desire, and Dracula’s bite is often linked with sexual assault, seduction, and the transgression of sexual norms. This is particularly evident in Dracula’s interactions with Lucy and Mina, where his bite is depicted in a way that evokes both physical pleasure and the terror of loss of control. This theme explores the tension between Victorian morality and the more primal urges embodied by the vampire, making Dracula a complex commentary on sexuality. -
Victorian Morality and Modernity:
The novel contrasts Victorian values of respectability and order with the chaos brought by Dracula. Dracula’s supernatural abilities—his control over minds, his ability to transform into animals, and his immortality—challenge the natural laws that the Victorians held dear. The pursuit of Dracula is not just a battle against the supernatural, but also a symbol of the clash between traditional Victorian values and the unknown, uncontrollable forces of modern life. The fear of the collapse of moral boundaries and societal order runs throughout the novel. -
The Role of Women:
Dracula also examines the role of women in Victorian society. Characters like Lucy and Mina are portrayed as paragons of purity and virtue but are also seen as vulnerable to Dracula’s advances. Mina, in particular, becomes a complex character who is torn between her domestic roles and the seduction of Dracula’s dark power. The novel explores both the idealized female figure (the virtuous, chaste woman) and the threatening, seductive woman (as embodied by the female vampires in Dracula’s thrall), revealing the era’s complicated relationship with women’s sexuality and power.
Characterization
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Count Dracula:
Dracula is one of the most iconic villains in literature. He is both monstrous and charming, evil and seductive. His character is not just a physical being, but also a representation of fear of the foreign, decay, and the breakdown of social order. Dracula’s presence in England signifies the infiltration of darker, primal forces into an otherwise controlled, respectable society. His manipulation of sexuality and ability to transcend natural laws makes him a compelling symbol of the dangers of unregulated desire and immorality. -
Jonathan Harker:
Jonathan Harker is the primary protagonist and the first to encounter Dracula. His journey from innocent solicitor to a man marked by fear and trauma encapsulates the theme of personal growth through suffering. As a character, Harker represents the Victorian male ideal: strong, rational, and morally upright, yet his encounter with Dracula forces him to confront his limitations. Harker’s transformation throughout the novel reflects the breakdown of traditional notions of masculinity and rationality in the face of supernatural forces. -
Mina Harker:
Mina, Jonathan’s fiancée, is a pivotal character in the novel. She represents the Victorian ideal of womanhood—pure, loyal, and nurturing—but she is also the one who comes closest to being consumed by Dracula’s influence. Her intelligence, resourcefulness, and the emotional strength she displays in helping the group track down Dracula make her one of the novel’s most empowering characters. Mina’s role in the story challenges traditional gender roles by showing that even women in Victorian society could exhibit agency and strength. -
Lucy Westenra:
Lucy, Mina’s best friend, is a more tragic figure. Her transformation from a pure, innocent girl into a vampire who preys on others represents the novel’s themes of sexuality, danger, and the loss of innocence. Lucy’s illness and eventual death at Dracula’s hands highlight the vulnerability of women in the face of forces they cannot control, reflecting both the idealized femininity of the period and the darker side of sexual power. -
Professor Abraham Van Helsing:
Van Helsing, a Dutch doctor and vampire hunter, plays a crucial role in the novel. His knowledge, bravery, and rationality make him a central figure in the fight against Dracula. As a character, he embodies the intellectual and moral authority that seeks to confront and destroy Dracula’s dark power. Van Helsing is a figure of modern science who must reconcile rationality with the supernatural, reflecting the novel’s themes of Victorian progress versus ancient, primal fears.
Literary Style
Stoker’s writing in Dracula is both atmospheric and psychologically intense, with a slow build-up of suspense and terror. The epistolary form—composed of diary entries, letters, and newspaper clippings—creates a sense of realism and intimacy, as if the characters themselves are documenting their descent into horror. This form allows the reader to engage with the personal and emotional experiences of each character, heightening the sense of fear and uncertainty that pervades the novel.
Stoker’s descriptions of the settings, especially the moody landscapes of Transylvania and the foggy streets of London, are rich in Gothic imagery. The use of light and darkness, vampiric symbolism, and references to Eastern European folklore deepen the novel’s sense of mystery and dread.
