Dracula: Context & Writer Techniques

Context

Brief Biography of Bram Stoker

Early Life:

• Born in 1847 to upper-middle-class Irish Protestant parents, Bram Stoker was one of seven children. He suffered a severe illness at age seven, which led him to immerse himself in reading and sparked his interest in literature.

  

• Education and Career: Stoker attended Trinity College, Dublin, where he studied mathematics. He later pursued a career in the theatre, working at the Lyceum Theatre in London as a stage and business manager and befriending intellectuals like Oscar Wilde. Stoker also worked as a literary reporter and critic for The Daily Telegraph.

• Stoker attended Trinity College, Dublin, where he studied mathematics. He later pursued a career in the theatre, working at the Lyceum Theatre in London as a stage and business manager and befriending intellectuals like Oscar Wilde. Stoker also worked as a literary reporter and critic for The Daily Telegraph. Writing Career:

• Stoker wrote Dracula during his time at the Lyceum, and the novel was published in 1897. Although he wrote other novels and short stories, none achieved the success of Dracula. Stoker passed away in 1912 from a stroke.

The Novel's History

• When and Where Written: Dracula was written between 1896 and 1897 in London, England.
• Publication: The novel was published in May 1897.
• Initial Reception: Dracula was a sensation upon its release and has since become a classic of Gothic and horror literature.

Literary Contexts

Historical and Political Context

• Victorian Era: Dracula was framed against the social and political currents of the Victorian period in English society (1837-1901). This era saw significant economic, social, and political changes, with British imperialism bringing wealth and cultural exchanges to London. The legends of the Carpathian Mountains in present-day Romania, the setting for much of the novel, were among the stories that entered British consciousness during this time.
• British Imperialism: The expansion of the British Empire during the Victorian era contributed to the novel's themes of invasion and the unknown. The fear of foreign influence and the blending of cultures are reflected in the novel's Gothic elements.

Cultural and Social Context

• Gothic Tradition: Dracula draws on the Gothic tradition, characterized by mystery, horror, and the supernatural. This tradition was established by works such as Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto (1764) and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1818).
• Influence of Victorian Morality: The novel reflects Victorian ideas of morality, particularly concerning sexuality, purity, and the fear of the "other". Dracula's character embodies these fears and taboos.

Philosophical, Religious, and Intellectual Ideas

• Science and Superstition: Dracula juxtaposes science and superstition, exploring the tension between reason and the supernatural. Characters in the novel use modern technology and medical knowledge to combat the ancient and mystical powers of Dracula.
• Fear of the Other: The novel explores themes of xenophobia and the fear of the other, embodied by Dracula as a foreign invader who threatens English society and its values.

Useful Concepts to Be Aware of in the Novel

• Epistolary Format: Dracula is written as a novel in letters, with the story unfolding through journal entries, letters, and newspaper articles. This format adds layers of perspective and authenticity to the narrative.
• Gothic Elements: The novel features classic Gothic elements such as old castles, dark landscapes, and supernatural occurrences, all contributing to its eerie and suspenseful atmosphere.
• Victorian Morality: Understanding Victorian social and moral values, particularly concerning sexuality and purity, helps contextualize the characters' actions and fears.
• Cultural Impact: Dracula has had a significant cultural impact, inspiring countless adaptations in film, theatre, and other media. The character of Dracula has become a cultural icon, representing fear, power, and the supernatural.
• Symbolism: The novel uses symbols like blood, mirrors, and crucifixes to convey themes of life, death, and the battle between good and evil.

Writer's Techniques

Structure and Plot

Epistolary Format

• "Dracula" employs an epistolary format, presenting the story through letters, diary entries, newspaper articles, and a ship's log.
• This structure allows multiple perspectives, creating a sense of realism and immediacy.
• The fragmented narrative builds suspense as readers piece together the plot from different characters' viewpoints.

Non-linear Timeline

• The novel's non-linear timeline adds to the suspense, as events are recounted out of chronological order.
• This structure reflects the confusion and disorientation experienced by the characters.

Rising Action and Climax

• The plot follows a classic structure of rising action, climax, and resolution.
• Suspense is heightened through a series of escalating encounters with Dracula, culminating in the final confrontation.

Language and Style

Gothic Descriptions

• Stoker's language is rich in gothic descriptions, creating a dark and eerie atmosphere.
• Detailed imagery of Dracula's castle and the Carpathian landscape evokes a sense of dread and foreboding.

Victorian Formality

• The formal, often elaborate language reflects the Victorian setting of the novel.
• Characters' dialogues and writings are marked by politeness and restraint, even in moments of horror.

Symbolic Language

• Stoker uses symbolic language to reinforce themes, such as the repeated references to blood and its connotations of life and death.
• Descriptions of Dracula himself are filled with animalistic and supernatural imagery, emphasizing his otherness and menace.

Symbols

Blood

• Blood is a central symbol in the novel, representing life, death, and the unnatural prolongation of life through vampirism.
• The transfusions given to Lucy symbolize the fight against Dracula's corruption of life.

The Crucifix

• The crucifix and other religious symbols represent protection and faith in the novel.
• Characters use these symbols to ward off Dracula, highlighting the clash between good and evil.

The Castle

• Dracula's castle symbolises isolation and entrapment.
• It is a place of gothic horror, filled with secret passages and a sense of inescapable doom.

Bats and Wolves

• Bats and wolves, associated with Dracula, symbolise his predatory nature and his connection to the supernatural world.
• These animals add to the atmosphere of fear and the sense of Dracula's omnipresence.