How Does Stoker Present The Loss Of Tradition In Dracula

The gothic novel by Bram Stoker, Dracula (1897) draws on vampire mythology to reflect on the social anxieties prevalent in Victorian society during this time period, particularly the fear of the other, emergence of the New Women and the exponential development of science. This was due to the profound and rapid change in British society, also referred to as the fin de siecle period which was marked by the growing sense of disillusionment with the traditional values and beliefs of European society and fear of the future. Migration from Eastern Europe into orthodox British society posed a threat to them through the contamination of the English gene pool. This process coincided with the introduction and reliance of new technologies and science

Stoker's novel portrays a society in the midst of profound transformation, as the encroachment of modern scientific and technological advancements poses a formidable challenge to established ways of life. Through his narrative, he raises pertinent questions regarding the perilous implications of such a societal shift away from traditional norms and values. One of the ways in which Stoker expresses his concern about the loss of tradition is through the character of Dracula himself. Dracula is presented as an ancient creature, rooted in the traditions and beliefs of the past, and he is portrayed as a threat to the modern world. Dracula represents a force of darkness and decay that is opposed to the new scientific and technological advancements of the modern world. In contrast to Dracula, the characters who represent modernity in the novel are portrayed as being out of touch with tradition and vulnerable to the threat posed by the vampire. For example, Jonathan Harker, a young solicitor who is sent to Transylvania to help Dracula purchase an estate in England, is presented as being naive and unprepared for the dangers that he faces. Harker is so focused on the new technology and advancements of the modern world that he fails to recognize the importance of the traditional beliefs and practices that would have protected him from Dracula's influence. This is illustrated in “It is an odd that a thing which I have been taught to regard with disfavour and as idolatrous should in a time of loneliness” where the juxtaposition emphasises his dubiousness in Christianity and the workings of religious items such as the crucifix. Overall, Stoker's "Dracula" expresses his concern about the dangers of the advancement of technology and the loss of tradition in Victorian society. Through his portrayal of Dracula as a threat to the modern world and his