Stoker's Use Of Supernaturalism In Dracula

Abraham Stoker was born in Ireland, North of Dublin, on the 8th of November 1847, but he would be known as simply “Bram Stoker”. Stoker’s parents were Abraham Stoker and Charlotte Mathilda Blake Thornley. Abraham “Bram” Stoker was baptized in the church of Ireland, which he attended with his parents. Stoker was in a family of seven children, having two older siblings and four younger ones. Stoker became incredibly sick as a child. During these times of sickness, Stoker would have his mother read horror stories to him. It was around this time that Stoker began writing ghost stories. Stoker recovered from his illness and went on to attend private school.

Stoker attended college for 6 years. At college Stoker was an athlete, showing no signs

The religious aspect of Dracula is obvious to say the least, ranging from the weaknesses of Dracula to the motives of the heroes. Mathias Clasen explains how “Count Dracula embodies ‘bad’ supernaturalism” because of his malicious intent and vile methods, while the “vampire hunters embody ‘good’ supernaturalism” through their Christian ethos (Clasen). The religious appeal is shown in how Dracula is a strange evil being who spreads his malice intent in weird and disgusting ways, such as forcing Mina to drink his blood, while the band of vampire hunters do the work of God in removing the unholy abomination. There are also many holy symbols throughout the story, especially crucifixes. One example is when a dead captain is found with “a crucifix, the set of beads on which it was fastened being around both wrists and wheel” (Stoker 68). The point here is that Dracula could not rip the captain away from the crucifix, even though the captain was dead. Furthermore, the experienced Dr. Van Helsing states that the crucifixes hold much more power than Dracula. When explaining the vampire’s powers, Van Helsing states that “[Dracula] is nothing” in comparison to “things that are holy, as this symbol, [his] crucifix” (Stoker 206). This further cements the fact that divine symbols have greater power than the