Dracula
Concept/Vocabulary Analysis
Literary Texts: Dracula by Bram Stoker (Courage Classics edition)
Summary:
Based in the late 1800s, Dracula begins with Jonathon Harker on
his way to Transylvania to help Count Dracula purchase a house
in London. At the end of Harker’s stay he knows that the Count
in a vampire. In a desperate act, Harker jumps out of his window
in an attempt to escape. The story shifts abruptly to London and
letters between Mina Murray and Lucy Westenra. The two
women are good friends and exchange aspects about their lives;
such as, Mina is concerned about her fiancé, Jonathon Harker,
and Lucy is happy about having three marriage proposals in one
day. During this time Lucy begins to sleep walk and have strange
puncture marks appear on her neck. Dr. Seward, one of the men
who proposed to Lucy, is called to help her through this. Dr.
Seward not only helps Lucy, but also heads an insane asylum. At
the asylum, Dr Seward attends a man named Renfield, who eats
flies. As these plots continue, Lucy’s health deteriorates and Dr. Seward calls in a colleague,
Professor Van Helsing. It is Van Helsing that notices that Lucy is under a vampire attack, but in
his attempt to cure her she dies. After Lucy is buried, young boys come up missing, and the
newspapers blame the “Bloofer Lady.” At this point in the story Harker has arrives safely home,
and Mina and him are married. Soon Van Helsing realizes Lucy is a vampire they must kill
Lucy, so John Seward, Quincey Morris, Jonathon Harker, Mina Harker, and Arthur Holmwood
ban together under common knowledge to take out not only Lucy but Dracula, the vampire who
made Lucy. As the story continues, Renfield becomes more agitated and ultimately kills himself
after the men realize he is controlled by Dracula. As Mina is being turned into a vampire, the
men come to drive Dracula out of London. After driven out, the men follow Dracula back to
Transylvania, Morris stabs the heart, and Harker takes off Dracula’s head. In the end, Morris is
killed and the rest are pleased knowing they have saved mankind from a monster.
Organizational Patterns:
Dracula is divided up into 27 chapters. Each chapter has multiple journal entries, letters,
or news articles written by various characters—Jonathon Harker, Mina Murray (Later
Mina Harker) Lucy Westenra, Dr. Seward, and Professor Van Helsing. Chapters range
from fifteen to thirty pages and some contain points of view from multiple characters.
The Central Issue/Enduring Question:
GOOD VS. EVIL
What is good and what is evil? From the start of novel Stoker presents the issue of good
vs. evil. When villagers realize that Harker is going to Castle Dracula, a scared old lady gives
Harker a Rosary to keep the evil away. That Rosary becomes
a comfort for Harker throughout his stay with Dracula. This is
an example of the idea that religion is good and able to keep
evil at bay. Another instance were Stoker presents this
question of good and evil, is when Van Helsing, John
Seward, Quincey Morris, Jonathon Harker, Mina Harker, and
Arthur Holmwood are faced with driving Count Dracula out
of London. The many characters are guided by Van Helsing
to place Holy Wafer’s inside the many coffins Dracula
brought with him from Transylvania. Not only do these Holy
Wafers keep Dracula away, but so does the cross, holy water,
and garlic. This idea of what is good seems to be based
around religion and evil are the forces that keep someone
from going to religion.
SURVIVAL
If you held the knowledge to save others, what would you do with it? The characters
that fight against Count Dracula are only a few men and one woman, and they are the few that
hold the knowledge to save innocent people. These few brave the Counts houses to place Holy
Wafer’s inside the coffins; thus giving the Count no place to rest. They also follow Dracula back
to Transylvania to destroy him once and for all. After losing Morris to the battle, the others reach
the decision that they would kill the Count over again, even with the end cost. Stoker seems to
answer the question that if someone holds the knowledge to save others, it should be used.
Issues Related to this Study of Literature
THEME
Christian Salvation
One of the major themes in Dracula is
the concept of Christian Salvation. This
theme starts in the beginning as Harker
is traveling to Castle Dracula. The
locals cross themselves, make the sign
of the cross, and one puts a Rosary
around Jonathon Harker’s neck. We see
Stoker using the theme that if a person
will follow Christ salvation will be found in heaven and evil will be kept at bay.
Another instance were Stoker is using the theme of Christian Salvation is when Van
Helsing is brought into so save Lucy Westenra from the vampire hold. After the
Count arrives at London he begins his affair with Lucy, but not in the usual sense.
The Count chooses beautiful women, then seduces and converts her while she sleeps.
As Mina and Dr. Seward strive to keep Lucy alive, Professor Van Helsing arrives to
aid Seward in saving Lucy. After realizing that Lucy is a vampire, a cross is kept
around at all times Even though Lucy did become a vampire, it was through Christian
Salvation that Van Helsing tried to save her.
Science and Superstition
Dracula is a story based around the destruction of a
vampire. According the novel, a vampire is an undead
creature that is able to walk to the earth if it consumes
human blood. Not only are vampires able to walk to the
earth for centuries, but they are also can control humans
they have drank from, shift into a bat or a wolf, and have
superhuman strength. Although vampires have amazing
abilities, they also have profound weaknesses: crucifixes,
holy water, holy wafers, garlic, and sunlight. This is all
according to Bram Stoker and found in the novel, but
nowhere does Stoker use science to define a vampire. The only science used is by
Dr. Seward when he is observing Renfield, or when he is trying to save Lucy.
Both, Lucy and Renfield become under the vampires influence, so it seems Stoker
is saying that science is evil. After science could not save Lucy’s life, Van
Helsing John Seward, Quincey Morris, Jonathon Harker, Mina Harker, and Arthur
Holmwood turn to superstition to save Mina. In the end, it is superstition that
saves her. Overall, Stoker seems to be saying that science does not work, and only
superstition saves people.
Beast vs. Humanity
Throughout the novel Bram Stoker
deals with the theme of beast
versus humanity. At the beginning,
it seems that the beast, Dracula, is
controlling humanity and
conquering. For example, by the
end of chapter four Jonathon
Harker has been a prisoner for
months and has nearly lost his
mind in an attempt to escape. The
beast continues to win as Dracula converts Lucy Westenra into a vampire, who
goes on to kill young boys. Humanity has not lost, Van Helsing and others fight to
kill the evil Lucy alive, and this act gives humanity the first win in the novel.
Once more Dracula starts to take the upper hand when he begins to convert Mina
Harker into a vampire. The men, Van Helsing, John Seward, Quincey Morris,
Jonathon Harker, and Arthur Holmwood, will not let Mina die without a fight.
Now, humanity is fighting against the beast for the total win. In the end, Dracula
is killed and humanity wins. But the reader is left sill left with the question of who
is the real winner, the beast or mankind.
Other Themes – Threat of female sexual expression, good vs. evil, sanity vs. insanity.
SETTING
Dracula takes place in two
major locations: Transylvania
and London. The book opens
with Jonathon Harker on his
way to Castle Dracula. He
tells of his journey during the
first chapter and even
describes it in quite detail.
Jonathon starts in Munich,
goes on to Buda Pesth, continues to Bistriz, then arrives at Bukovina where he is
picked up at Borgo Pass, and finally went to Castle Dracula by a Coach. Stoker even
goes on to provide detail about where Castle Dracula is located, among the
Carpathian Mountains. Directly after Jonathon Harker makes his escape from Castle
Dracula, the setting shifts to London. The setting stays at there until Van Helsing,
John Seward, Quincey Morris, Jonathon Harker, Mina Harker, and Arthur Holmwood
follow Count Dracula back to Transylvania to kill him.
POINT OF VIEW, NARRATIVE VOICE
Dracula is written in journal entries, letters between friends, and news articles. Not only is it
written in many forms, it uses many points of view. The journal entries, and letters are written in
first person, but the news articles are written in third person. Because of
these many points of view, the reader gets to see how many people view
the situation with the Count and the sub-plots in the novel.
The novel starts in first person point of view with Jonathon Harker. He
seems to be a very practical man that pays attention to detail. Then the
point of view shifts to letters between Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra.
These two sweet girls have been best friends for years and who face
disaster when Lucy begins to walk in her sleep. In between these letters a
News article is told in a narrator’s voice. From there the point of view
shifts to Dr. Seward. His journal entries are more centered on facts and
possible solutions. Along with Dr. Seward’s entries, Professor Van
Helsing does include his own thoughts on the problems and the solutions
he views.
This many shifts in point of view normally wouldn’t work, and cause the story to seem
disjointed. Since the shifts are journal or diary entries, Stoker uses transitions well and makes the
shifts not abrupt and work for the plot.
CLIMAX
The climax of a story is the point of highest tension right before the solution. In Dracula, a
500 page novel, the rising action builds and builds until
the very end when the men are chasing after the Count.
In a paragraph Morris stabs Dracula in the heart as
Harker takes the Counts head off. Some might see this
as the natural point in a novel, but it happens on page
511 and the story ends on page 514. The story has built
for 500 pages, and Stoker has presented the Count in the
way of near godlike status. For instance, Dracula has superhuman strength, able to shift
forms, and control humans through his gaze. But Stoker does give the Count weaknesses:
sunlight, holy water, crosses, and Holy Wafers. Throughout the novel these men have been
chasing the Count and using these weaknesses to drive him out of London. Unable to stop
there, they followed the Count back to Transylvania where they killed him. According to the
definition of a climax, Dracula’s ending fits. But the climax seems to not fit properly with all
the rising action that Stoker painted.
Affective Issues Related to the Work
Although Dracula is a novel written one-hundred years ago and contains no adolescents,
the actions are what students can relate to. For instance, students do understand what it
feels like to not fit with a certain group. Dracula is a vampire who is one of a few
creatures and seeks to desperately to live among
humans. But because Dracula is not human, he will
never fit in with them. This can be viewed as a metaphor
for the students, who seek to be a part of a group.
Students should try and find others who have similar
personalities
Another issue that adolescents can relate to from the
novel is still between friends. Van Helsing, John
Seward, Quincey Morris, Jonathon Harker, Mina
Harker, and Arthur Holmwood find themselves in a
unique situation; they have knowledge that no one else
has and that binds them together. Looking at their situation as another metaphor for
students, adolescents can come together when they share common knowledge. This can
relate back to the first issue, students can seek friends with other students that have things
in common.
Vocabulary Issues
Dracula was written a little over one-hundred years ago, so the novel does contain
old usage, old definitions, and British spelling. The old usages are not so old that they
cannot be understood, but for some high school students the usage may present more
of a challenge: whilst, ruthless villainy, I passed to, voluptuous, and midst. With these
words it will be crucial for me, as the teacher, to answer any of the students’
questions regarding these words. The older definitions are mostly dealing with words
like queer and gay, so even though meanings have changed in the last few years’s
students will be able to understand the words. Lastly the British spelling won’t be
something that will make it hard for the
students to understand, but will be
interesting for the students to learn.
Background Knowledge
The background knowledge that students should
know is about the Catholic Culture. From the
beginning of the novel Stoker uses the basics of
Catholicism as the weaknesses for vampires.
For example, vampires are unable to go into the
sun; this can be viewed as a symbol that they
are unable to go gain eternal salvation.
Vampires are also burned if they come into contact with crosses or holy water. What students
need to know is that in Catholic culture, the crucifix is worshipped because it is a symbol of
Jesus and it is only through Jesus that we are able to gain eternal salvation.
Implications for Students of Diversity
Dracula contains little to no mention of ethnic diversity, but the Catholicism aspects used
throughout the novel must be handled with care. This religious diversity is a major part of a
vampire’s weakness, and it is crucial that when addressing these weaknesses that the
connection is made to good can conquer evil. For students to have a better understanding of
Catholicism, I need to address the basic beliefs of the
religion. The key to addressing this tough religious issue is
to treat it with care and respect.
Another aspect of Dracula that is related to student diversity
is in regard vampires themselves. Although vampires are
fictional creatures, they can be viewed as those of a different
ethnicity. If I choose to address this issue with a class, I need
to be sure to, once again, to handle this with extreme care. It
is Van Helsing, John Seward, Quincey Morris, Jonathon
Harker, Mina Harker, and Arthur Holmwood that target
Dracula and drive him out of London. It would be interesting
for the students to think of what could happen if they sought
to help Dracula’s transition into London life. Dracula could be seen as a
person from a different race, and the men we should not do to an ethnic
group.
Gender Issues
There are two gender issues that Dracula addresses: female oppression and
clichéd tough men. Female oppression is throughout the novel; for instance,
Dracula does not target men, but women to make vampires. The second
issue, clichéd tough men, is represented by all the men who rush to protect
the sickly women. The women are forced to stay behind while the men risk
their lives to protect them. It will be important to stress that both men and
women should be equal partners no matter the circumstances. I will address
these issues in the class with asking the question: How would the novel
change if it is based in today’s society?
Research Issues
RESEARCH PAPER:
Decide on a part of the vampire lore, presented by Bram Stoker, and
research it. Know the history, how it may be used in other cultures, and
similar lore. The paper should be about 3-5 pages in length, in MLA
format, and your process needs to be visible. I am not looking for a certain
format for your process; I just need to see that you have worked on it.
Choose a religious symbol that is found in the novel and research
it. This paper should include the origin of the symbol, which
religions use it, how it is viewed in different circles, and how it
is used in the novel. This paper should be 3-5 pages in length, in
MLA format, and your process needs to be shown. I am not
looking for a certain format for your process; I just need to see
that you have worked on it.
Project Ideas
CREATING CASTLE DRACULA:
This project will include the student creating Castle Dracula in any way
they see fit. This can be a drawing, a model, or any other creative way. I
am looking for the details that Jonathon Harker writes in his journal in the
first few chapters. If you choose to do this, you must tell me how you plan
to create Castle Dracula and then write a short reflection. This reflection
should include the connections you made between your model and the text
and the process you went about creating it. This reflection should be about
a 1 to 2 pages in length.
Enrichment Resources
Bennett, David. Basic Catholic Beliefs and Practices. Ancient and Future Catholic, Creative
Common Alltribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works, 28 May 2009. Web 23
Sept. 2009. <http://www.ancient-future.net/bascis.html>.
Knox, Barbara and Stephen F. Brown. Castle Dracula: Romania’s Vampire Home. New York:
Bearer Pub., 2005. Print.
Melton, J. Gordon. The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead. New York: Visible Ink
P, 1998. Print.