Bram Stoker’s horror mystery novel Dracula, perfectly portrays the ability that evil has to overtake good. With many examples of contrast and similarity, as well as symbolism, Stoker gives us insight into Lucy’s loss of innocence and the part that evil plays within the book. There is a large difference between Lucy alive, and after passing, displaying good vs. evil in the novel. The author also uses blood as a symbol, staining the white that she wears, just like the blood Dracula has given to stain her good name and turn her into his fellow vampire vixen. With the use of literary devices such as oxymorons, we can see distinct contrast, but also find similarities within imagery and description. Stoker uses symbolism and contrast to show the loss of purity and innocence within Lucy.
Lucy is always characterized as being soft, sweet, and gentle in her nature.
…show more content…
Lucy has the same effect on Seward, Van Helsing, Quincey, and her love, Arthur. This is a shocking sight to them as they have only ever seen Lucy as the petite, romantic character that she is. There is quite the contrast between Lucy alive and Lucy as a vampire, Stoker uses imagery in this scene to bring out the large contrast between chapters, but he also uses imagery to show similarity between Lucy and Dracula. When Stoker writes: “Lucy’s eyes unclean and full of hell-fire” (234) he is showing similarity between the Counts description in previous chapters and Lucy after death. Lucy’s appearance and description after being bitten by Dracula can be compared to that of the three vampire women shown before back at the Count’s Castle. This is especially present when Stoker writes “The sweetness was turned to adamantine, heartless cruelty, and the purity to voluptuous wantonness.” (233). The old beautiful, graceful Lucy has now changed and “if looks could kill” (235) her new appearance would definitely do the