Dracula by Bram Stoker: A Classic Horror Novel Review

Diksia.com - Dracula by Bram Stoker is an iconic novel that has stood the test of time, captivating readers with its chilling tale of the infamous vampire Count Dracula.

Published in 1897, this classic horror novel has become a cornerstone of gothic fiction, inspiring countless adaptations and leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

In this review, we will delve into the novel’s details, analyze its plot and characters, explore its themes and messages, and examine Stoker’s captivating writing style.

From the moment Dracula was published, it mesmerized readers with its unique blend of suspense, horror, and romance.

Stoker’s vivid descriptions and meticulous attention to detail transport readers to the eerie landscapes of Transylvania and the bustling streets of London.

With its masterful storytelling, the novel continues to send shivers down the spines of readers, making it a timeless masterpiece of horror literature.

Novel Details

Title: Dracula
Author: Bram Stoker
Genres: Horror, Gothic
Chapters: 27
Rating: 4.3/5 stars on Goodreads
Language: English
Publisher: Archibald Constable and Company (UK)

Synopsis

Dracula revolves around the story of Count Dracula, a centuries-old vampire from Transylvania who seeks to spread his undead curse to the unsuspecting residents of London.

The novel is presented through a collection of diary entries, letters, and newspaper clippings, providing a multifaceted narrative that unravels the mysteries surrounding Dracula’s malevolent plans.

As the story unfolds, a group of courageous individuals, led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing, embarks on a perilous mission to stop Dracula and save humanity from his clutches.

Amidst the rising tension and spine-chilling encounters, the novel explores themes of good versus evil, the power of love and friendship, and the destructive nature of obsession.

Plot Analysis

The plot of Dracula unfolds gradually, building suspense and capturing the imagination of readers.

Stoker skillfully weaves together multiple storylines, introducing a diverse cast of characters who are united in their struggle against the formidable Count Dracula.

The novel’s structure, incorporating diary entries and letters, adds depth and intimacy to the narrative, allowing readers to experience the events firsthand.

Dracula is a complex novel that combines different elements of plot structure. The novel can be divided into four parts:

Part One: Exposition (Chapters 1-4). This part introduces the main characters (Harker, Dracula), the setting (Transylvania), the conflict (Dracula’s plan to invade England), and the tone (horror).
Part Two: Rising Action (Chapters 5-21). This part develops the conflict by showing Dracula’s arrival in England, his attacks on Lucy and Mina, and the formation of the group of vampire hunters. It also introduces subplots, such as Renfield’s madness, Mina’s telepathy, and the clues left by Dracula.
Part Three: Climax (Chapters 22-26). This part reaches the peak of the action and tension by showing the group’s pursuit of Dracula across Europe, their confrontation with his allies and enemies, and their final battle at his castle.
Part Four: Falling Action and Resolution (Chapter 27). This part resolves the conflict by showing Dracula’s death, Mina’s recovery, and the group’s return to England. It also provides closure and reflection by showing the group’s epilogue seven years later.

Characters

Dracula features a large cast of characters, each with their own personality, background, and role in the story. The main characters are:

Count Dracula: The antagonist of the novel. He is a centuries-old vampire who lives in a castle in Transylvania. He is cunning, ruthless, and powerful, but also lonely and isolated. He wants to expand his influence and create more vampires like him. He is fascinated by England and its culture, but also despises it as a threat to his existence. He is the embodiment of evil and corruption.
Jonathan Harker: The protagonist of the novel. He is a young English lawyer who works for Mr. Hawkins, Dracula’s solicitor in London. He is brave, loyal, and intelligent, but also naive and curious. He travels to Transylvania to assist Dracula with his property transaction, but becomes his prisoner and witness to his horrors. He escapes and joins the group of vampire hunters. He loves Mina dearly and vows to protect her from Dracula.
Mina Murray (later Harker): The deuteragonist of the novel. She is a young English woman who works as a schoolmistress and a typist. She is kind, gentle, and compassionate, but also strong, resourceful, and courageous. She is engaged to Jonathan Harker and waits for his return from Transylvania. She becomes friends with Lucy Westenra and helps her during her illness. She is bitten by Dracula and becomes his thrall, but also his weakness. She uses her telepathy to assist the group of vampire hunters. She marries Jonathan Harker and has a son named Quincey.
Abraham Van Helsing: The tritagonist of the novel. He is an elderly Dutch professor who specializes in medicine, philosophy, metaphysics, and occultism. He is wise, experienced, and knowledgeable, but also eccentric and humorous. He is a mentor and friend to John Seward and a leader of the group of vampire hunters. He recognizes Dracula as a vampire and teaches the others how to fight him. He respects Dracula as an adversary but also hates him as an enemy.
Lucy Westenra: A major character in the novel. She is a young English woman who is beautiful, wealthy, and popular. She is sweet, innocent, and generous, but also flirtatious and adventurous. She receives three marriage proposals from John Seward, Quincey Morris, and Arthur Holmwood, but chooses Holmwood as her fiancé. She becomes Dracula’s first victim in England and suffers from a mysterious illness that drains her blood. She dies and becomes a vampire herself, but is killed again by Van Helsing and her suitors, who free her soul from Dracula’s influence.
John Seward: A major character in the novel. He is a young English doctor who runs an asylum near London, which happens to sit next to Dracula’s first English estate at Carfax. He is rational, scientific, and professional, but also emotional and passionate. He loves Lucy Westenra but is rejected by her. He remains friends with her and tries to cure her illness with Van Helsing’s help. He joins the group of vampire hunters and records their activities on his phonograph. He has a patient named Renfield who is obsessed with life force and serves as Dracula’s minion.
Quincey Morris: A major character in the novel. He is a young American adventurer who travels around the world. He is brave, bold, and cheerful, but also reckless and impulsive. He loves Lucy Westenra but is rejected by her. He remains friends with her and offers his blood for her transfusion. He joins the group of vampire hunters and provides them with weapons and resources. He dies heroically in the final battle against Dracula, stabbing him in the heart with a knife.
Arthur Holmwood: A major character in the novel. He is a young English nobleman who inherits the title of Lord Godalming after his father’s death. He is honorable, loyal, and generous, but also grief-stricken and distraught. He loves Lucy Westenra and proposes to her. He witnesses her decline and death and agrees to stake her heart with Van Helsing’s guidance. He joins the group of vampire hunters and uses his wealth and influence to help them.
Renfield: A minor character in the novel. He is a patient at Seward’s asylum who suffers from a form of zoophagia, meaning that he eats living creatures to absorb their life force. He is obsessed with Dracula, whom he calls his “master” and tries to serve by inviting him into the asylum. He has moments of lucidity and remorse, and warns Mina of Dracula’s danger. He is killed by Dracula when he rebels against him.

Theme and Message

Dracula explores several themes and messages that reflect the concerns and values of the late Victorian era. Some of the major themes are:

Good vs. Evil: The novel portrays a cosmic struggle between good and evil, represented by Dracula and Van Helsing’s group respectively. Dracula is associated with darkness, sin, corruption, and death, while Van Helsing’s group is associated with light, virtue, purity, and life. The novel suggests that evil can be defeated by faith, courage, and cooperation.
Sexuality: The novel depicts sexuality as a powerful and dangerous force that can be used for good or evil. Dracula’s bite is a metaphor for sexual seduction and violation, as he penetrates his victims’ necks and exchanges blood with them. His bite also transforms his victims’ sexuality, making them more aggressive, sensual, and promiscuous. Lucy becomes a “voluptuous” vampire who preys on children, while Mina becomes a “bride” of Dracula who shares his thoughts and desires. The novel also implies a homoerotic subtext between Dracula and his male adversaries, as they exchange glances, words, and blood during their encounters. The novel contrasts Dracula’s sexuality with the idealized Victorian sexuality of marriage, fidelity, and chastity.
Science vs. Superstition: The novel contrasts the rational and empirical approach of science with the irrational and mystical approach of superstition. Dracula represents the superstition of the East, as he uses magic, folklore, and religion to achieve his goals. Van Helsing represents the science of the West, as he uses medicine, technology, and logic to combat Dracula. However, the novel also shows that science alone is not enough to defeat Dracula, as Van Helsing also relies on superstition, such as garlic, crucifixes, and holy water. The novel suggests that science and superstition can complement each other in the fight against evil.
Colonialism: The novel reflects the colonial anxieties of the British Empire at the end of the 19th century, as it faces threats from within and without. Dracula is a symbol of the colonized Other who invades the colonizer’s homeland and challenges its supremacy. He is a foreigner who speaks with an accent, dresses differently, has dark features, and practices a different religion. He also exploits the colonizer’s resources, such as money, land, and people, for his own benefit. He threatens to create a race of vampires who will overthrow the British rule and culture. The novel suggests that colonialism is a dangerous and immoral enterprise that can backfire on the colonizer.

Writing Style

Dracula is written in an epistolary style, meaning that it consists of various documents, such as letters, diary entries, newspaper articles, telegrams, and phonograph recordings, that are arranged chronologically and presented as evidence of the events that occurred.

This style creates a sense of realism and authenticity for the reader, as it gives access to multiple perspectives and sources of information.

It also creates a sense of suspense and mystery, as it leaves gaps and clues for the reader to fill in and interpret. The style also reflects the themes and messages of the novel, such as:

The contrast between science and superstition, as some documents are based on facts and logic, while others are based on emotions and beliefs.
The contrast between public and private, as some documents are intended for a wide audience, while others are intended for a specific person or for oneself.
The contrast between male and female, as some documents are written by men, while others are written by women, and they reveal different attitudes and experiences regarding sexuality, gender roles, and power.
The contrast between East and West, as some documents are written in English, while others are written in foreign languages, and they reveal different cultures and values.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Gripping and suspenseful plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Memorable and well-developed characters, each with their own unique arc.
Skillful use of multiple narrators, enhancing the depth and complexity of the story.
Exploration of profound themes that resonate with readers across generations.

Cons:

The pace of the novel may feel slow for readers accustomed to faster-paced modern narratives.
Some passages may appear dated in terms of language and cultural references.

Conclusion

Dracula by Bram Stoker remains an unparalleled masterpiece of horror literature, leaving an enduring impact on readers with its atmospheric setting, compelling characters, and profound themes.

With its expertly crafted plot and Stoker’s captivating writing style, the novel continues to enthral and terrify audiences to this day.

Dracula stands as a testament to the power of storytelling, solidifying its place as a classic in the realm of horror fiction.