Examples Of Allusions In Frankenstein

1015 Words5 Pages

Lulu Lydon
Honors Sophomore English
Final Essay

Frankenstein and Dracula have an ongoing allusion to mythology, the Bible, and other canonical works of literature. With this allusion, the reader is able to track the dominant connections of the two novels. When authors incorporate these allusions into their pieces, it enhances the writing. Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein uses a couple different elements to incorporate the allusion to mythology, the Bible, and other canonical works of literature.
The reader does not even need to read the first page of Frankenstein to see an allusion to mythology. The full title of the novel is, Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus. The Modern Prometheus is an allusion to the mythological titan, Prometheus. …show more content…

Stoker covers religion in his novel in an unique manner. The novel portrays Anti-Christian values and beliefs through its main character, Dracula. Often Dracula is characterized as the Antichrist for a number of different reasons. He shares comparisons with God, but in evil ways. God had disciples, and so does Dracula. Renfield is a great example of Dracula’s disciple. Although readers are able to see that Dracula has a follower, it does not mean that he uses him for good. Dracula only wants Renfield to worship him, and he does not want anything more from him. The more obvious ways that Dracula can represent the antichrist is portrayed through superstition. To protect Jonathan Harker from Dracula, an old lady puts “rosary round my neck and said, ‘For your mother's sake.’” (Stoker 9) The holy beads are supposed to protect someone from any evil, which in Jonathon’s case is Dracula. The next day, Harker cuts his neck shaving and Dracula, “starts to attack him, he notices the beads and the crucifix and backs down.‘You should not put your faith in such objects of deceit.’”(Stoker 31) This quote shows how Dracula is not in favor of God. He also cannot come close to the rosary without it affecting him. Another example of how Dracula could be considered the antichrist is how characters in the novel protect themselves by using holy objects such as communion wafers and crucifixes. Within these examples, readers are able to see how Dracula depicts Anti-Christian values. Stoker uses the biblical viewpoints to enhance his writing with deeper