Motifs In Dracula, By Bram Stoker

Many authors use different techniques to guide the reader down a specific path and towards a conclusion. Bram Stoker used motifs of colours to help his readers interpret his novel Dracula. Through the motif of colours, Bram connects specific colours of Dracula with death and evilness. They also foreshadow to what will happen later on in the novel. Stoker shows many motifs of specific colours during one of the character’s journals. Colours such as red, white and black are used very often. These motifs help the reader understand the story better. Throughout his journal entries, Jonathan Harker mentions the colour red many times. This motif of the colour can represent a great deal of things. For instance, the colour is usually associated with

This particular colour can have different meanings and interpretations. Firstly, it can be seen as danger or death. Stoker usually uses the colour white beside the colour red, mainly associated with the appearance of vampires. Count Dracula is seen to have “sharp-looking teeth, as white as ivory” (11). Also, the other vampires are said to have “brilliant white teeth, that shone like pearls”. The colour is used to describe the teeth of the vampires and that relates to death. It relates to death because their main weapon for killing is their teeth. The teeth also relates back to the colour red because of their method of killing, they bite and suck blood. The blood can also be seen as a symbol of death. However, the motif of white can also be seen as a sign of warning and innocence. This is seen near the beginning of the novel when Jonathan Harker is taken to Count Dracula’s castle. Jonathan describes the moon in his journal as “the moon, sailing through the black clouds, appeared behind the jagged crest of a beetling, pineclad rock, and by its light I saw around us a ring of wolves” (14). The moon is seen as an object that shows Jonathan the wolves, somehow warning him. It shows him what is to come ahead and the dangers that he will face later on in his journey. The moon is often seen as an innocent and pure object and that is what Stoker shows the reader as the moon truly shows Jonathan what will happen

It is seen very often as describing the appearance of objects and beings. When Jonathan Harker first meets the Count at his house. He records what he sees by writing “clad in black from head to foot, without a single speck of colour about him anywhere” (17). He also states that “the horses were coal-black” (11). The beginning parts of the novel take place at night which gives everything a dark feeling. Stoker describes Dracula’s house as being a structure with dark windows and walls. Secrecy can fit in here as well because the powers and personality of Dracula are hidden from Jonathan. Also, the colour black is usually interpreted as evil and death. To foreshadow what will happen later on in the novel, Stoker adds in various references of blackness and darkness early on. He also gives the reader a contradicting appearance as Count Dracula has a full black suit but white teeth as well. In this context however, both of these colours show the evilness and darkness of Count