As a gothic horror story, written nearly 100 years ago, Bram Stoker's "Dracula" is still very appealing to modern readers. This is evident in that there have been countless movies, books, and
other media based on the century-old tale.
In 1992, Francis Ford Cappola created his vision of the novel in a fairly accurate rendition starring Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Gary Oldman, and Anthony Hopkins. Most recently, the hit teen movie "Dracula 2000" (starring Omar Epps, Vitamin C, etc.) had the centuries-old bloodsucker going on a killing spree in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. On the other hand, it can be argued that while the book is Stoker's most famous novel, it has little creativity. After all, the vampire legends have been circulating for centuries, even before Stoker's time. However, since we have become so well acquainted with the famous lines and words (Dracula says to his castle guest, "Enter freely and of your own will..."), readers feel a "delicious and reassuring excitement," as Leonard Wolf put it. This is probably what holds our attention with the stories and legends.
All the renditions of Dracula and other vampire tales ("The Lost Boys" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") have one thing in common. They all draw from the same source of inspiration. Neither the contemporary avid horror moviegoer nor the book lover of today can escape the fascination with what Bram Stoker has bestowed on us, "Dracula."
When the man wrote the book, it became extremely controversial in his home country of Ireland. However, it has become clear that the novel is not so much a concentration of what is dark and evil in the world. Rather, it is a reinforcement of what is good. Throughout the book, this theme prevails. Good over evil. Hope becomes faint when estate agent Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to see Count Dracula who wants to purchase land in London. There he becomes
imprisoned as he slowly realizes the monstrosity of this man who never eats or drinks. (I wonder why?)
Back in London, his fiancط·آ·ط¢آ£ط·آ¢ط¢آ©e, Mina Murray can't help but worry for her husband who she has not heard from in days. Her friend Lucy Westenra reassures her that her lover is probably fine. Needless to say, Lucy becomes the Count's first victim as he finds his way from his home in Transylvania to London. By night, the dreaded creature slips into her bedroom and drains her body of its life supplement. There is something particularly interesting of the nature of the Count's horrid blood-draining rituals. Notice, he only sucks the blood of women (beautiful women at that, or as the book has it "sweetly pretty" ladies). The act of sucking blood has an almost sexual tone to it. Associated with the vampire, Stoker tried to convey the sin of exuberant sexuality, or, as Mina says, "Unclean! Unclean!"
This is where the famous Doctor Abraham Van Helsing comes in. He comes to help poor Lucy who is desperately weak. Judging from the bite marks on her neck and her incredible loss of blood, he grows suspicious. Meanwhile, Mina has heard from her lover, Jonathan. The sisters of a religious convent rescued him where he is being treated for brain fever. She immediately goes to him and they are married. It is their love that keeps them strong throughout their upcoming ordeals. In other words, the sanctifying grace of marriage, under the eyes of God (the convent sisters) is stronger than "unclean" lust and evil. This has become a significant element in modern horror movies, and it all started with Stoker's ideals. The lovers parked on a lonely road, making out under a blanket of stars are always the first ones toط·آ£ط¢آ¢ط£آ¢أ¢â‚¬آڑط¢آ¬ط·آ¢ط¢آ¦get it. Virginity is prized and placed above in some respectable alter. Even teen slasher movie, "Scream," notices this pattern, as character played by Jamie Kennedy says "There are certain rules in order to survive a horror movie...NO SEX!"
Mina's virtuous character is a shining example of the cherished ethical character. Even when she goes back to London with her husband and must face the evil that fed on Lucy's soul, she keeps
her grace. So she must, in order to survive. With that in mind, Stoker brings up a major element in his novel: the female role. When she and her husband team up with Van Helsing and his friends (all of whom are men) to confront the Count, there is a "flowery" language used to describe how the men don't want Mina to get involved in the terrifying events. Stoker, no doubt, had a good grasp on what was expected of women during his time, and he spoke out against it. Little do the men know that as they try to protect Mina by leaving her at home while they hunt the count, they are placing her in the center of danger's spotlight. As they are gone, Dracula creeps up to her window to drain her blood. The men also have no idea that Mina is the key instrument in defeating Dracula, as she herself is turning into a vampire. Thus, a message of gender equality is portrayed. Many of today's horror movies have bent the romanticized version of the male rescuing his lady from the evil forces of terror (such as "Scream," whose protagonist is a teen-aged girl). This leads to the final part of the novel, where Dracula is portrayed as a fearful entity. Yes, he is the bad guy. However, he is afraid of time and what it has in store for him. The novel ends in a dramatic race against the sunset (as when after the sun sets is the time when Dracula is strongest). Van Helsing, Jonathan, and the other men have tracked down Dracula as Gypsies and are carrying him in his coffin back to his castle. The sun is sinking lower in the sky. Mina's health is deteriorating, her teeth are getting longer and sharper, and she is getting thirsty! The sun is sinking faster. The only way for Mina to survive is for Dracula to die. The sun is almost down. As the carriage hauling Dracula makes its way up the side of his mountain, Harker and the men are hazing it down by horseback. There goes the sun...and. Well, maybe you should read it.
However it ends, the novel is a model horror story. Good and evil clash. Purity and Lust. Blood and ecstasy. Sharp ivory teeth. This is Stoker's personification of his religious convictions. Van Helsing and his followers could only come to face Dracula through the grace of God. After all, it is the crucifix and holy water that can kill vampires (aside form decapitation and a stake through their heart). The fact that the novel is written as an epistolary (told through the journal and diary entries of its characters) makes it even more intense and makes the events a little more credible, being fantastic as they are. It is the story which modern horror books and movies have based their themes and ideals. This is what makes it a classic and an enjoyable read.