Superstition In Dracula

Words: 451
Pages: 2
Open Document
In Stoker’s novel, Dracula readers get a look into the Victorian Era and their beliefs and customs. This was a time when religion ran society and this is shown through Stoker’s book. This offers religious beliefs, social restrictions, and an understanding of the time period. There is a large amount of religious connections offered in Stoker’s novel as well as sexual connotations. These two come together through the social norms of the time period. Stoker brings out some controversial and scandalous topics for readers at the time. He includes homosexuality and the assertion of women to men. At a distance, Dracula is the foundation for the vampires to come but up close it is a historical piece that takes you into the time and beliefs of those …show more content…
Dracula exemplifies strong religious motives and Stoker bases his argument for the “primitive other of religion/superstition” off of William Robertson Smith and James Frazer. These are both theorists that base their superstitions on taboos. “For these theorists, the basis of the superstitious mentally lies in the principle of taboo, according to which the divine and the unclean are one and the same divinity manifests itself in contagious physical transmission” (Herbert, 2002). Through Christianity Van Helsing and his friends are able to support their superstition and positions as the anti-vampire as they fight against their existence. This novel is full of superstitious thinking, it supports moral conception, the count is seen as “an object of religious veneration”, and we see religious tools being brought into the novel. Moral conception would have been a commonly known danger to Victorian middle classes. It provided anxieties about transmitting uncleanliness. The count is seen as a religious “veneration” meaning someone who you believe in greatly or have a large amount of respect for. There is a daunting feeling to the religious tools brought in such as the crucifixes and communion wafers. All of these bring in both a religious standpoint and an uneasiness to the readers of the Victorian Era. Throughout the novel we see vicious purification in the society from the impact of nonreligious people,
Show More

Related Documents: Superstition In Dracula

Superstition In Bram Stoker's Dracula

to say that current theories will not be found as complete bogus? In literary work Dracula, written by Bram Stoker, a lack of superstition and belief in the western side of England, as opposed to the more eastern Transylvania, is more damaging than beneficial.…

Words 1532 - Pages 7

Bram Stoker Research Paper

com/nonfiction/academic/article/384572/Literary-Criticism--Dracula-by-Bram-Stoker/ Other themes include: Good versus Evil, gender roles He was bedridden for a brief time. He had his blood drawn several times (could this have been what started his fascination with vampires and blood?). Bram Stoker was born in Ireland on November 8, 1847. He had 2 brothers. Bram Stoker went to a prep school and Trinity College for mathematics and science. He also played competitive sports. Dracula and Vlad, the Impaler- connection? Mina and Dracula represent…

Words 1004 - Pages 5

What 'Dracula' By Bram Stoker What Is A Classic?

classic can stand the test of time. A classic is considered a representation to the time period in which it was written; and the content having lasting recognition throughout history. Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula is one example of a classic for the end of the 19th century. Stoker is best known for “Dracula” however he wrote 18 books before his death in 1912. This novel is considered different for most people, its dark nature unappealing. By taking central European folk tales, Stoker created what is considered…

Words 266 - Pages 2

Essay on Count Dracula

Dracula Dracula: the very name instantly brings to mind visions of vampires, stakes, garlic and crucifixes. In today’s society vampires have come to be seen as misunderstood supernatural beings, whereas in the 1800’s, they were seen as demonic creatures. Dracula is set during this time; a time where religion and superstition are integral part of society. The horror starts with a solicitor and young Englishman named Jonathan Harker who travels to Transylvania to help a rich nobleman notoriously…

Words 769 - Pages 4

Dracula: Abraham Van Helsing Essay

Dracula, by Bram Stroker, is a novel about a vampire who roamed over Romania for centuries. The novel is based on individual personal journal entries, that way it is seen by each individual’s point of view. All the characters have some contact with Dracula whether physical, mental, or through someone else. Dracula’s powers are multifaceted; he has the ability to transform into bats, dogs, fog, smoke, and even has the ability to manipulate the weather at times. The characters are to depend on their…

Words 1335 - Pages 6

Dracula Reason Vs Madness

challenges that they were not accustomed to because they often could not be solved by reason alone. Bram Stoker discusses the issue that where reason fails, madness is sure to follow. The idea of madness and reason reveals itself in Bram Stoker’s Dracula through characterization and…

Words 1264 - Pages 6

An Empire of Vampires: Dracula’s Quest for Souls Essay

Dracula’s Quest for Souls A terrifying story of classic horror and blood-thirsty vampires, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a classic novel that has been analyzed countless times over the course of many years ever since its composition in 1897 (Study World). Authors such as Richardson, Schaffer, and Doyle have reviewed Dracula and have come to the conclusion that behind these pages filled with fear and superstition lays a world of alternate meanings. I too, have reached this verdict after completing the book and…

Words 1852 - Pages 8

Castle Of Otranto

Nature has always been a part of the Romantic ideal, as such the use of natural characteristics as a premonition would be a profound instance of a reflection of the changing values of society. As the population delves into superstition and nature, they tend to turn to the natural ‘apparition’ as a link to the future. This is exemplified in Castle of Otranto, in the scene of Manfred’s contemptible proposal to Isabella, where “the moon, which was now up, presented to (Manfred’s) sight the plumes of…

Words 385 - Pages 2

Syllabus: University of Cambridge and Cambridge Pre-u Syllabus Essay

Cambridge Pre-U Syllabus Cambridge International Level 3 Pre-U Certificate in LITERATURE IN ENGLISH For examination in 2013, 2014 and 2015 Cambridge Pre-U Syllabus Literature in English (9765) Cambridge International Level 3 Pre-U Certificate in Literature in English (Principal) For examination in 2013, 2014 and 2015 QN 500/3685/3 www.cie.org.uk/cambridgepreu 1 Cambridge Pre-U Syllabus Support CIE provides comprehensive support for all its qualifications, including the Cambridge Pre-U. There…

Words 5225 - Pages 21

A Note On Halloween

Title Heading To take advantage of this template’s design, use the Styles gallery on the Home tab. You can format your headings by using heading styles, or highlight important text using other styles, like Emphasis and Intense Quote. These styles come in formatted to look great and work together to help communicate your ideas. Go ahead and get started. Halloween From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search This article is about the observance. For other uses, see Halloween…

Words 6822 - Pages 28