In everyday life, as in literature, there will always be an opposing force to evil. In the novel “Dracula,” by Bram Stoker, Professor Van Helsing acts as Dracula’s main antagonist. An antagonist is the character who acts against the main character, which increases the conflict of the story and intensifies the plot. Through the use of theme, characterization and specific events, the author shows readers how Dr. Van Helsing effectively fits the role of Dracula’s most threatening adversary. One theme, or main message, that can be taken away from the novel is that sometimes superstition and religion are more powerful than scientific knowledge. Van Helsing is a professor who has acquired a large quantity of scientific knowledge. However, contrary …show more content…
Characterization is the way the author has developed or revealed the personality of a character in a literary work. Van Helsing’s nature enables him to be a threat that Dracula fears the most. Van Helsing says, “Ah, my child, that I do; and indeed there is no wish of me to add to your anguish. But just think, what can we do, until the world be at movement? I have thought and thought, and it seems to me that the simplest way is the best of all. Now we wish to get into the house, but we have no key; is it not so?” Van Helsing’s words show readers that he has a caring, compassionate personality, and although he knows it is important to comfort his friends, he keeps a level and clever perspective on their dire situation. It is Van Helsing’s tenderness towards those he loves, such Jonathan and Mina Harker, that display how determined he is to end the Count’s torment of innocent souls. His ability to think logically in any situation also deepens his offense against Dracula. When Jonathan is upset and wants to take immediate action against the Count, Van Helsing analyzes the problem clearly, announcing that the best path of action would to be wait for morning and hire a locksmith to enter the Count’s house in Piccadilly. His simplistic yet brilliant way of thinking, along with his great sympathy for others, proves that Van Helsing is a
In addition to his actions, much has previously been made of Dracula's physical appearance. However, as Stevenson so aptly puts it, Dracula's physical appearance is only "a convenient metaphor to describe the undeniable human tendency to separate 'us' from 'them' " (140).
The book I have chosen to analyze from is “Dracula” by Bram Stoker. The character from the book I am choosing to write about today is the main antagonist of the story, Dracula. This story is told through a group of journals. The topic I have chosen to look at is Dracula ability of transformation, and the key role it played in ability to pull off his charade. Throughout this story Dracula uses transformation into many different animal forms and mist to help get close to and subdue his victims.
Characterization is a method a writer uses to reveal the personality of a character by what they do or says and what other says about them. Throughout the novel, we see Dracula, a creature of the night perform many evil deeds such as biting victims like Lucy and Maria, and control over violent creatures in nature. By these actions, it reveals that Dracula is a evil monster, an emotionless killer and very mysterious. On the other hand, VanHelsing actions such as trying to save Lucy from Dracula, deep emotional care towards friends like Mina when she is losing hope after her encounter with Dracula also reveals personality traits. By these actions, Vanhelsing is seen to be caring and have a strong belief in religion having powers. This shows how Vanhelsing is the most threating towards Dracula because both of their personalities are the complete opposite. As Vanhelsing uses religious items due to their powers over Dracula, Dracula perverts the way of Christianity and only causes trouble for other people. This is how characterization of both Dracula and Vanhelsing shows the professor is the largest threat to
Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a story of horror, suspense, and repulsion. The main antagonist, Count Dracula, is depicted as an evil, repulsive creature that ends and perverts life to keep himself alive and youthful. To most onlookers that may be the case, but most people fail to see one crucial element to this character. Dracula is a character that, though it may be long gone, was once human, and thus has many human emotions and motives still within him. Let us delve into these emotions of a historically based monster.
Dracula functions as a way to invert sexual identity of the novel through the use of vivid imagery. Through this Bram Stoker not only breaks the walls of gender barriers, but also perverts the image of an archetype mother to create a fear from the New Woman. He exposes failed motherhood through; three female vampires who sexually consume their child, Lucy who feeds off her children, and Count Dracula who taints the image of a mother perpetually to signify the dangers that a “New Woman” can bring to the society.
For example, the use of characterization Stoker uses when describing Dr. Van Helsing Leads us to believe that Dr. Van Helsing’s character is very intelligent, even-minded, well-educated,and has great instincts.Without Dr. Van Helsing’s intelligence or level head ,The fate of many characters would have been completely different. It’s because of Dr. Van Helsing that Mina and the others live to tell the story. When Mina was attacked by Dracula and forced to drink his blood,which made her “ Impure”. Dr. Van Helsing uses his intelligence and wit to change her fate. By listening to his instincts the doctor was able to help many people. But even he couldn’t help everyone. Lucy was one of those people. It was believed that Lucy had anemia,but in reality it was the loss of blood caused by Count Dracula that eventually killed her. Even though the doctors couldn’t save her life, something told Dr. Van Helsing that she wasn’t truly free. She was becoming the same thing that killed her, a vampire.By following his instincts, he was able to set her free and bring closure to those who loved her , As well as rid the world of another monster .
198). Stoker is holding onto this secretive manner of Van Helsing’s character for a reason. Stoker is leading us somewhere, which in this case would be the revelation of Dracula and his evil ways. This contributes to my understanding that Van Helsing is going to be the “superhero” of the novel because he is the only one who has all the facts presented in front of
While the character of Renfield is ostensively extraneous to the central plot of Dracula, he fulfils an important role in Stoker’s exploration of the central themes of the novel. This paper will examine how Renfield character is intertwined with the three central themes of invasion, blood and otherness. Firstly, through Renfield’s inner struggle we learn that he is ‘not his own master’ (Stoker, 211). The theme of invasion is revealed by the controlling and occupying powers of Count Dracula. Secondly, the reoccurring theme ‘the Blood is the Life’ (Stoker, 121), is portrayed throughout the novel and has been interpreted through Stoker’s character Renfield. Then finally, a look at the social construction of the ‘other’
Dracula modernly and controversially touches upon subjects of sexuality, gender roles and religion, and there are some forthcoming arguments that Dracula even serves as an autobiography of Stoker himself (Belford). Overall, the story behind Dracula is as mysterious as the story of the novel itself, which is why it is considered to be one of the most memorable pieces of literature in history. The novel consists of multiple diary entries, newspaper articles, telegram’s and so forth
Hello everyone, I believe there is a very important parallel in the story between Van Helsing and Dracula; uniquely, they are both foreigners and main characters. Out of all the main characters, they are the only true foreigners in the story, and it seems as though Van Helsing and Dracula are tied together. However, both of these characters’ act entirely different; Van Helsing is always his own unique self and does not feel the need to change who he is or how he acts, while Dracula changes many things about himself so that he can fit into the English society. Furthermore, Dracula has spoken about his history and his accomplishments as if he needs to impress others, such as Johnathan, but Van Helsing is entirely happy being equal to his comrades.
Bram Stoker’s gothic horror novel, Dracula, is a piece of literature that has cultivated a genre of storytelling and writing. Stoker’s novel, published in 1897, follows the story of a party of friends united to end the tyranny of the vampire, Count Dracula. Set in England and Transylvania in the late 1890’s, the novel has been a popular discussion topic by both critics and lovers of the book. The novel, with its use of different styles, was written to give multiple points of view. It was Stoker’s use of these aspects and more, that gave the novel true and timeless Literary Merit. Literary Merit is defined by the quality of language and style, timelessness, influences to era, ability to immerse the reader and the ability to present creative ideas and innovation. Novels possessing all of these rare qualities are regarded to have Literary Merit. Stoker’s Dracula certainly fits the criteria and rightfully deserves its title of classic with all qualities of Literary Merit.
COUNT DRACULA FREEDOM FROM FANDOM is a light-hearted fantasy tale that brings to life the iconic characters from many novels and films about Dracula and the other monsters. There’s no doubt that the strength of this script is the ensemble cast of colorful and offbeat characters, especially Dracula, Frankenstein, and Wolfie. Together they feel like iconic, authentic friends and it’s fun to watch them interact with each other. However, with that said, the overall script would benefit from more development.
The definition of a vampire is a supposed corpse from European folklore that leaves it’s grave at night to drink the blood of the living by biting their necks, this definition has stayed the same but they have been associated with different attributes over time. In history, vampires have been evil and hideous monsters as portrayed in many pieces of literature including Bram Stoker’s Dracula. In the novel, Dracula, Stoker’s use of language and imagery shows how the main protagonist, Dracula has the characteristics of a monster.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Throughout history, humans have seen the constant struggle between good and evil. The choices people make assist in defining their character as “good or evil.” How individuals react to certain situations and who they turn to for help also define their true character. For example, around the world society labels individuals because who or what they praise. Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity is each judged by the society. In Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula,” the reader can see the distinct difference in good and evil. The characters in “Dracula” build their personality or reputation by the actions they accomplish. Bram Stoker assist the reader in categorizing each character as good or evil.
The novel is written in the form of letters and diaries, adding a great portion of realism. Count Dracula makes his appearance only on a couple of pages. But all the appearances he makes throughout the novel add special atmosphere of mystic and makes a reader feel uncomfortable and even frightened.