Religious Values In Dracula

As modern advancements fail in the face of Dracula, Stoker demonstrates how Harker eventually turns to religion, highlighting the importance of religious values. Before Harker sets off to leave for Transylvania, he is stopped by a woman who warns him of the evil threats that await him and is given a crucifix. After the woman gives him the crucifix, Harker writes in his journal and describes the crucifix that he has been given as he waits to set off to Transylvania. Harker writes, “I have not been taught to regard such things as in some measure idolatrous, and yet it seemed so ungracious to refuse an old lady meaning so well and in such a state of mind” (11). Before arriving to Transylvania, Harker doesn’t place any value on religious symbols nor does he acknowledge any of the signs that he is warned about by the woman who gives him the crucifix.

Although Harker is terrified after he is cautioned by the woman, he doesn’t take her warnings seriously, demonstrating how modernity has influenced him to disregard superstitions despite the fact that he is warned about the evils that await him by those who recognize the superstitious forces of vampirism. Stoker highlights how modernity blinds Harker from the superstitious signs of vampires and the threats that await him in the castle because of the way in which modernity emphasizes reason over folks and supersitions. Stoker demonstrates how Dracula is able to imprison Harker and endanger him more insidiously because of his ignorance to superstitions. However, once Harker arrives at the Count’s Castle becomes a prisoner to the Count, he acknowledges the danger that he has put himself