Symbolism in Dracula Essay

Bram Stokers Dracula was written in a time of great change. His story had many interesting themes that where symbolic. According to shmoop.com, blood may be one of the most symbolic themes in the story (shmoop.com). The character, Renfield, says, "I tried to kill him for the purpose of strengthening my vital powers by the assimilation with my own body of his life through the medium of his blood relying, of course, upon the Scriptural phrase, 'For the blood is the life. He is referring to the idea that by drinking anothers blood you are able to, in some way, take their vital powers. We can relate this passage to the Christian faith and taking communion. As we drink the blood of Christ, we become stronger.

The symbolism of blood is only one of the themes in this story. Another strong theme throughout the story is the use of technology and the status that it brings to those that use it. It becomes apparent early in the book that technology was very important to the people of the time. In every turn of the page the reader will find different tools being used that were not necessarily common use of the times. Rather than a diary kept with pen and paper, Seward keeps his thoughts on a phonograph. In turn Mia uses a typewriter. Both Mia and Seward are avid not takers in the story. Their diaries are well kept with Mia reporting on all that happens and Seward, the devoted scientist, the recorder of method. Both characters rely on the technologies to make their process easier and to symbolize their status in the story. (novelguide.com)

Trains are another technological advance that is reoccurring in the book. They represent Stokers interest in up-to-date technologies. This mode of transportation was new to this era a certainly not the most common method of transportation. It allowed for the characters to move quickly from place to place in the story. The use of trains made the transportation of these characters seem mystical because they moved from place to place so quickly. To a reader in this time period, the train was glorified. When most were used to the slow and daunting travel by horse and buggy, Stokers use of trains made this form of transportation seem glorified.

The use of telegrams was another indication that technology was the highlight of the book. It again makes it seem that everything that the vampires do is quick and seamless. Traditionally when information was to be shared a letter was sent. It would go to the post office and then be delivered. A telegram, on the other hand, was a message that was delivered immediately to the recipient. This allowed the characters to get important information to each other very quickly.

If the blood theme is revisited, not only is the reader to consider the taking of someones vital powers, but this does not have to be done by sucking someones blood, it can potentially save someones life. A blood transfusion is just as effective and again introduces technological advances into the story.

Although all of these technologies are present in the book, they do not allows work to save the good guys in the story. The limits are seen when the blood trans fusion does not save Lucys life or when the telegraph machine doe not function properly and Seward is unable to get a message to Van Helsing fast enough ot come to Lucys aid.

The Victorian Era was filled with technological advances and inventions. The Victorians believed in progress and they viewed the industrial revolution with great optimism. Within these times came the steamboat, allowing people to engage in trade and transportation in a new way. The introduction of railroads connected the north, south, east, and west, changing the face of transportation forever. Thomas Edison created the first electric light bring the world out of the dark and introduced the first phonograph. He was also responsible for the improvement of the telegraph, telephone, and motion picture projector. In addition, other inventors founded the elevator, the combustion engine, leading to the first automobile, the bicycle, sewing machine, steel cable, and mechanical reaper. (erasofelegance.com)

In a time where technology was on the rise and science was backing the advancements, Stoker created a list of characters that brought these advancements to life. Image Dracula written today. Is it relative that advancements in technology would cause the same outcomes in the book? A voice recorder would replace the phonograph. A text message may have saved Lucys life, if the service did not fail. Even with modern technological advances Dracula still would not have died had the characters not returned to primitive tools? No matter the strength of a gun, then or now, Dracula would need to be destroyed with a stake through the heart.

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References

http://www.erasofelegance.com/history/victorianscience.html

http://www.novelguide.com/dracula/themeanalysis.html

http://www.shmoop.com/dracula/symbolism-imagery.html