Elements of Romanticism in Stokers Dracula Essay - 816 Words

During the Romantic Era, Bram Stoker created a timeless monster in his novel, Dracula. Stoker uses a series of letters and journal entries to tell the story form a first person point of view. The Count, for whom the book is named, seems to be invincible to mere man. Stoker uses his character of Dracula to reflect the elements of romanticism through his supernatural powers, a fascination with youth and innocence, and imagery. Dracula seems to possess unexplainable supernatural powers. When Jonathan Harker is traveling to castle Dracula, he is unaware that the driver of his coach is the Count himself. During the nocturnal journey, the coach is circled by wolves, not knowing what to do Jonathan calls for the coachman and in return â€Å"heard†¦show more content†¦She has a mental connection with Dracula, and is able to sense his surroundings, even when he is far away. Also, Dracula has power over Renfield, and lunatic-asylum patient. Renfield serves as a prophet and henchman for Dracula. Through the mental connection with Mina and Renfield, Dracula’s power to read and control minds is revealed. Dracula’s supernatural powers to control nature, transform, and control minds make Dracula a monster and serves as Stoker’s supernatural power in this romantic novel. Dracula uses his supernatural powers to feed his fascination with youth and innocence. In the beginning of the novel, when Dracula is first encountered, he is described as old, although â€Å"His face was strong†¦ [his] lips, whose ruddiness showed astonishing vitality in a man of his years†¦ The general effect was one of extraordinary pallor.† (27). This description of the Count shows that while he is old, he still possess some attributes and features of the young. Once Dracula finds that the men have made a bond against him, he makes a bond to take all of their women. He succeeds in transforming Lucy and scaring her mother to death, although Mina is stronger and the men save her by killing Dracula. Also, the three women vampires in his home are past conquests of beautiful, young women. Dracula only sucks the blood of young women in the novel reflecting his hunger for youth and innocence. As theShow MoreRelatedThe Gothic Genre Of Hell Hath No Fury Essay1681 Words   |  7 PagesIn this pre-rational, I will explore the Gothic genre in regards to its history, development, key elements that identify literature as Gothic, and authors that made this genre successful. Next, I will examine the themes and content of my chosen text Dracula and how it salsify the gothic literature criteria. I will also discuss a handful of recent adaptations based on Stoker’s Dracula; how varies interpretation flourished, as well as what I have learned from them. Finally, I will explain the developmentRead MoreComparing Dracula And Mary Shelley s Dracula And Frankenstein 1933 Words   |  8 PagesBailey A. 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