Importance Of Setting In Dracula

How the setting in “Dracula” creates and atmosphere of horror and fear”

Often people consider setting as the element of place but the use of setting in novels has other elements that have immersive effects on the book. Various novels have different setting that build he mood and bring out the aspects of characters in a story. For instance, one of the most popular books with the use of effective setting is the novel Dracula. Dracula refers to a gothic horror novel written by Bram Stoker and Irish Author (Belford, 1). The Novel tells a story of the main character “Dracula” in his attempt of moving to England to spread the curse. The novel also tells a story of the battle between Dracula and a group of people led by Abraham Helsing. In the novel

Stoker, describes the common people living in the time as highly superstitious and continually living in fear of the undead. He further states that these people choose to cooperate with the supernatural creatures rather than confront them (Lemke, 43). He notes that “There are a thousand of them in Transylvania who are almost the law” (Stocker 61). He illustrates that this era was plagued by supernatural creatures that do not have the respect on the law hence people lived in fear.

Further much of the action takes place in the Dracula’s s castle described as dark, eerie and oppressive. The people are afraid of Dracula’s cruelty and the design of the castle itself. This frightening design of the castle creates a frightening mood to the audience. Research has shown that dreary and dark setting can create a frightening factor towards the audience. Stocker illustrates in his journal that “down the rocky way the roll of heavy wheels and the crack of whips….” (Stocker, 76) This is the atmosphere at the castle which in the imagination of the audience is