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Superstition In Dracula Research Paper

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The Use of Superstition and Science Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” is a timeless classic that dives into the depths of superstition. Set in Victorian England, exploring the impact between ancient beliefs and modern knowledge, as characters stumble upon the supernatural threat of Dracula. The characters deal with an internal conflict trying to rationalize their experiences through scientific inquiry. Superstition plays a pivotal role throughout the novel, shaping characters’ actions and perceptions using religion, science, and modern technology. Throughout the novel there is a constant tension between superstitions and science as characters navigate between belief and skepticism. The characters in “Dracula” are deeply influenced by superstitions rooted …show more content…

Jonathan writes how a lady in the village took “a crucifix from her neck and offered it to me” but only accepted it because, “it seemed so ungracious to refuse an old lady meaning so well and in such a state of mind” (Stoker 12). Jonathan shows how his beliefs on superstitions cause him to look over the purpose. However, once they realize that Dracula is a vampire and have to rely on superstitions. When they travel back to Dracula’s Castle, Mina doesn’t dismiss the locals and their superstitions like Jonathan did in the beginning. Van Helsing says,”We must, therefore, guard ourselves from his touch. Keep this near your heart”—as he spoke, he lifted a little silver crucifix and held it out to me”(Stoker 226). Being able to understand the reasoning behind the crucifix lets the characters be capable of change. This realization helps defeat Dracula because they use the crucifix to combat Count Dracula. When Jonathan Harker and Mina Murray are forced to confront reality, the use of religious superstitions shapes their views on their beliefs on the supernatural. Dracula being one of the most famous vampire novels, science still plays an important

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Gothic horror novel Dracula, the title character makes only several relatively short appearances, some of which are while in disguise. Throughout the novel, Stoker keeps Count Dracula in the shadows, both literally and figuratively. This essay will describe these appearances and analyze Stoker’s use of them to determine what effect they might have on the impression of the character and the novel overall. It will be claimed that by keeping his title character hidden for much of the novel, Stoker’s Dracula is made much more frightening to the reader. Human beings tend to fear the unknown, and by leaving Dracula to the imagination,

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Harker is a guest in Dracula 's castle and when he cannot sleep anymore he gets up to shave, hanging his mirror up on the wall of the bathroom. In that moment Dracula places his hand on hand on his back and Harker hears Dracula’s voice say to him “Good morning” (Stoker, 31), mimicking a very intimate moment that couples often experience together when they wake up. Then Harker continues on to say, “I started, for it amazed me that I had not seen him, since the reflection of the glass covered the whole room behind me” (31.) The fact that Dracula cannot be seen in a mirror, particularly Harker’s mirror, is not shocking due to Van Helsing’s rules (309) that a vampire has no reflection, yet Stoker seems to be suggesting through this simple “rule,” that Dracula’s true identity is erased or invisible. Dracula cannot be seen in a mirror, and just as Dracula is invisible those who are not conventional in their sexuality, especially those who identify closely with bisexuality are often silenced, forgotten, and identities labeled

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