Dracula: Abraham Van Helsing Essay

Submitted By tfrancis2005
Words: 1335
Pages: 6
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Dracula, by Bram Stroker, is a novel about a vampire who roamed over Romania for centuries. The novel is based on individual personal journal entries, that way it is seen by each individual’s point of view. All the characters have some contact with Dracula whether physical, mental, or through someone else. Dracula’s powers are multifaceted; he has the ability to transform into bats, dogs, fog, smoke, and even has the ability to manipulate the weather at times. The characters are to depend on their faith and religion to help them through their journey of defeating him. On their journey the use of technology is important but it is their religiousness and belief that helped them through. Jonathon, being a somewhat religious person dismisses all ideas of superstition and any means that would protect him from said things. His beliefs are exemplified while on his journey to Dracula’s castle. While on his way, he crosses path with a peasant woman who offers him a crucifix as a protective charm, but seeing as though Jonathon does not believe in the superstitious he hesitates to take it, but takes it nonetheless. He also disregarded all warnings of the townspeople to take heed in his visit to Dracula. After spending one night in Dracula’s presence Jonathon’s beliefs are quickly swayed and he begins praying to God for safekeeping. The crucifix he did not wish to take actually saves him from Dracula. While in the presence of Dracula, Jonathon cuts himself while shaving which causes Dracula to leap towards him, but upon seeing the crucifix Dracula retreats and leaves Jonathon alone. After realizing the power of the crucifix, Jonathon now keeps it close to him at all times. In London Dracula is busy prowling the land. He stumbled upon Lucy, who has been sleep walking when he bite her. Van Helsing tries to help her because she got very ill. No one could figure out what is wrong with her. Despite his attempts he failed, but he was not going to fail to save her soul. While Lucy is dying, Arthur, her fiancée leaned over to kiss her and Van Helsing keeps him away from her, because he is concerned for Arthur's soul. Van Helsing is not so concerned with keeping his friends alive as much as he is with keeping them in God's favor. Lucy recognizes this danger, and thanks Van Helsing for the intervention, making him promise to protect Arthur. Here Van Helsing shows that not only is he an intellectual person, but that he is also a firm believer in religion. At first the characters are not all convinced with Van Helsing’s purpose, but they believe that God must be used to fighting the devil they are faced with. Van Helsing is firm believer in God and they all see this in him. Another instance where religion is demonstrated is on the ship, where the Captain uses the crucifix to ward off the evil plaguing the ship that causes the men to go missing. When Mina finds Jonathan, the nun that treats Jonathan in Budapest refuses to tell Mina what Jonathan has been saying, claiming that "the ravings of the sick" are "the secrets of God." The nun, motivated in part by a sense of privacy, is also afraid of the evil world of which Jonathan spoke. After Lucy’s demise, Van Helsing gets the group together. He tells them that they must do their "duty". He sees the task ahead of them as not merely a personal war, but a Christian obligation. Also, Van Helsing asks everyone to pledge themselves to the cause of eradicating Dracula; he uses the terminology of a religious crusade. He explains that there is more than life at stake that the fate of Christianity and the world is in their hands. After the group assembles, Mina, Jonathan fiancée, is left exposed to Dracula. He bites her when the men are away on their plot to destroy him. Even though she is bitten by Dracula, her faith keeps her believing everything will be ok. Her religiousness gives her the courage to move on, which she later shares with the other characters. Van Helsing believes
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