Dracula

Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a horror classic which brought life to the mythological vampire. Much of what Bram Stoker writes about vampires have become the common attributes of a vampire known today, though there have been many changes and evolutions of what a vampire is. The novel itself is unique that it follows the story through the use of several journal entries of the characters. You see the novel through each characters eye’s separately as you read through their individual journal entries in chronological order.

It is interesting that the novel starts off with Jonathan Harker actually going to Dracula’s Castle by himself. Of course, Jonathan knows nothing of the horrors of Count Dracula. The journey to the Castle really sets up the mood of the whole novel with creepy settings and constant fear of the supernatural. The first part of the novel takes place in Dracula’s castle as Jonathan Harker becomes a prisoner inside the castle while giving Dracula a house in England. This part of the book does a very good job of building suspense and slowly making Jonathan realize he is a prisoner and not just doing a job. The next part of the novel travels to England where the count brings his horrors to Jonathan’s hometown. This is when the book really becomes interesting, and all the characters come together to solve the mystery of the horrors happening in their town. This is when Doctor Van Helsing is called in and begins the life of a character that is later portrayed in many forms of media. Van Helsing brings his knowledge of vampires to the group and convinces them that a vampire is amongst them. When they are all convinced Helsing finally reveals everything he knows about vampires, which is the most interesting part of the novel. He gives a detailed explanation of all the abilities vampires have and what can harm them. Many of these attributes are still used in vampire lore today, though some have also been added. One notable attribute of a vampire that was not from this novel is walking in direct sunlight never killed Count Dracula but only weakened him so he lost all his powers, this starting the legend of vampires being nocturnal and eventually lead to them being killed by sunlight.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula has made huge influences on the world of vampires, and a lot of what vampires are known as today comes from this novel. The way the book was written through journal entries made it very different but one of the more interesting books I have read. Bram Stoker uses many elements of fear of the supernatural and unknown throughout his novel and made it constantly exciting. This is a great novel and keeps you reading and excited from beginning to end!