Essay on Count Dracula

Submitted By ramyghe
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Pages: 4
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Dracula Dracula: the very name instantly brings to mind visions of vampires, stakes, garlic and crucifixes. In today’s society vampires have come to be seen as misunderstood supernatural beings, whereas in the 1800’s, they were seen as demonic creatures. Dracula is set during this time; a time where religion and superstition are integral part of society. The horror starts with a solicitor and young Englishman named Jonathan Harker who travels to Transylvania to help a rich nobleman notoriously known as Count Dracula, purchase an estate in England. His journey into the remote Carpathian Mountains is fearsome, the superstitious peasants spread rumors that frighten him although he refuses to admit it. Warnings to flee and go back add to his uncertainty and is affirmed even more when he is handed a crucifix. He feels even worse when his journey goes on. In the night, Jonathan hears wolves howling and his gruesome coachman makes him anxious. When he finally arrives at the castle Jonathan is more than relieved, though this feeling of comfort does not last long. Initially he is charmed by the Count's generosity and intelligence. Gradually he realizes that there is something weird about the Count, something wrong and unnatural. He notices many strange things there, including Dracula’s non-reflective appearance, lack of appetite, cold skin, and sharp teeth. Eventually he realizes he is a prisoner and tries to escape. Meanwhile, back in England, Harker's fiancée, Mina, is worried and to keep at ease she spends time with her friend Lucy, who later on gets bitten. Word comes from Budapest that Jonathan has been found, but is sick with brain fever. He can not recall anything of his travels in Transylvania. Mina goes to nurse him back to health and to help him make the trip back to England. After that many mysterious attacks against children have begun in the area where Lucy was buried. With the help of friends they set out on an adventure to capture Dracula. One of the main themes of Dracula, is religion; more specifically Christianity and the battle of good versus evil. Right away when Jonathan is traveling to Count Dracula’s castle a woman stops Jonathan and “. . . taking a crucifix from her neck, she offered it to me.” The weapons used against the vampires in this story are garlic, stakes, and beheadings, and defenses and cures such as blood transfusions, crucifixes, and medicine. The crucifix acts as a defense against vampires while also having the power to make the wearer feel protected. An example of the crucifix protecting the wearer, is with the interaction between Dracula and Jonathan when he cuts himself shaving. “When the Count saw my face, his eyes blazed with a sort of demonic fury, and he suddenly made a grab at my throat. I drew away, and his hand touched the string of beads which held the crucifix. It made an instant change in him, for the fury passed so quickly that I could hardly believe that it was ever there.” Garlic is
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