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The Symbolism Of Religion In Bram Stoker's Dracula

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In Bram Stoker’s gothic novel, Dracula, the overall and fundamental theme of the book is given away the further you read, expressing Stoker’s view of religion. The novel is an account of the paths taken by many different characters such as Count Dracula, Van Helsing, Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray and Lucy Westenra. Since this poem was written with ideas focused primarily on the concepts of evil, as it was viewed during an appearingly-conservative nineteenth and twentieth century society, the book can be seen as a parallel to Eliot’s and others’ own religious quests. While Bram Stoker attempts to acquaint the reader with a frightening tale on the accounts of a dreadful vampire named Count Dracula, he also expresses the goal of strengthening …show more content…

This is a popular symbol in the Catholic and Christian faith which demonstrates Jesus saving the earth from sin by His death on the cross. The crucifix is more than just a symbol that has a presence in the novel, but it is a symbol that gives hope. In the beginning of the story, when Jonathan is taking his initial journey to see Count Dracula, the people around him seem worried about his well-being. In response to this, an old lady came up to him, worried and handed him the crucifix from around her neck. Her faith and belief in the power of her Jesus gave her hope in his safety. To Jonathan, he was stunned and confused, but accepted the gift thinking, “I did not know what to do, for, as an English Churchman, I have 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” (Stoker, 8). After going through torments from the Count, Jonathan then found a comfort in the symbol that the old lady had placed around his neck thinking, “Bless that good, good woman who hung the crucifix round my neck! For it is a comfort and a strength to me whenever I touch it” (Stoker, p.41). Through his faith in the symbol and its meaning, he gained the power to take action in defeating

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