Steph Saranchuk
Mrs. McConkey
ENG 3UE
December 5, 2011
Bram Stoker's Dracula; Is it a Classic?A classic; what exactly is a classic? The best way to describe a classic is to say that it is something that surpasses generations, in other words timeless. For this to occur, it is important for a classic to be relatable regardless of what is going on in the world. It must deal with content matter that pertains to basic human experiences and desires. It spawns future ideas and its soul is seen in the works of future generations. The characters must captivate the imagination of the reader, making them feel almost as if they were living and breathing. Dracula is a timeless piece of writing that has been defined as a classic for generations. It meets these criteria and still remains as such today.
Dracula demonstrates the very basis of the human condition, something that cannot be changed regardless of how much time may pass. This novel deals with good versus evil, which is something that can be commonly seen even today. This was also commonly used in the past as part of the archetypal journey especially in myths. Myths such as Hercules, are just one of the many examples of good versus evil as a theme. Something about good conquering evil is a theme that always has and probably always will entice a person to never put the book down. Specifically in Dracula, the reader is left in suspense and continues reading through the cliffhanger chapters. Dracula also deals with evil. People are fascinated with evil and reading a book such as Dracula satisfies their deep dark desire. Quotes such as the following fulfill this desire. "The last glimpse I had was of the bloated face, blood-stained and fixed with a grin of malice which could have held its own in the nethermost hell." (Stoker 68) After discovering his seemingly inescapable fate Harker puts up a fight. This fight for survival is also shown when Harker along with his friends, seek out all of Dracula's caskets to destroy them along with Dracula. As humans, when faced with adversity we usually fight; we fight to prove it wrong. Humans never give up; survival is paramount. Dracula, many be a very old book, customs may have been different, but the basis of the human condition has stayed the same.
A classic can often be seen as influencing the future media and this is exactly what this novel has done. "Today, every vampire fan, imitator, film buff, writer, reader, and Count Chocula cereal eater pays homage to Bram Stoker's genius in creating this mysterious and powerful character that we both love and hate, welcome and fear." (I Bid You Welcome) When looking at literature of this historic period, there were few if any novels dealing with any sort of horror content. This novel showed people that horror could be used in media and could be enjoyed. This novel, being a hit sensation, only improved this idea. In today's society there are entire genres that encompass this. Both horror and thrillers are very popular today, and enjoyed by much of the population. Take Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane for example. In this novel the events that unfold incorporate violence making it a horror, but much like Dracula leave the final outcome a mystery to the end (the person telling the story is a patient at a psychiatric facility and is unclear which reality is real) making it a thriller. Although today our horror and thriller novels may be the more violent, the basis of the novel and the suspense is still the same. Dracula, as the innovator of this genre, is a must read for any horror or thriller buff. Other than being the birthplace of these genres, this novel is said to have sparked a media fascination with vampires. In today's society there is a cult-like following of vampire media. ie., Vampire Diaries and Twilight. Dracula himself was much less suave and sensual than the vampires that we see today, but these characteristics are still evident in the female vampires. "All three had brilliant white teeth that shone like pearls against the ruby of their voluptuous lips. There was something about them that made me uneasy, some longing and at the same time some deadly fear. I felt in my heart a wicked, burning desire that they would kiss me with those red lips." (Stoker 51) Although we as a society think that Stephanie Meyer's, Twilight sparked our recent fascination with vampires, this novel would not have been written if it was not for Bram Stoker's Dracula. It is much like Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. After one book becomes a hit sensation, many other authors become leaches, grasping onto this successful theme that seems to be in demand by the public to try to profit from the previous author's success. Since there are novels today with the very same themes; Dracula still has an audience.
Dracula, himself is able to captivate the imaginations of the reader. What is our fascination with vampires? Why do they seemingly captivate our imagination? "The radical, disturbing thing about Dracula is this: evil can be attractive. Evil can be alluring. We want the monster to die, to kill the undead-but at the same time we are fascinated with it. Bram Stoker's novel, born of a Victoriana, links exorcism and death, and I don't think we've ever recovered. I know that I certainly haven't..." (Dracula Quotes - BrainyQuote) Maybe it is the idea that a person can be more than they appear to be. In this novel, Dracula starts off as a regular person, a seemingly kind person. "Come freely. Go safely; and leave something of the happiness you bring." (Stoker 22) Despite this being the early belief of Jonathon Harker, this is not the case. Dracula, in reality is a blood thirsty, gut wrenching, pure evil soul, who will stop at nothing to wreak havoc onto the world. Having a person that is more than they appear, keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, which in today's society is necessary, due to increasingly short attention spans. "You don't have to love them or even like them; but you cannot feel indifferent." ("What Makes a Good Novel") Dracula certainly does this. This character causes deep felt hatred, in all those who read the novel. A character rather than a plot twist, gives the reader exactly what they crave: excitement. The prospects of vampires' indiscretions, are seemingly endless. Or maybe the reason why Dracula captivates our imagination is that it fulfills our deep dark desires. "Bram Stoker's Dracula has immersed us in seductive darkness and opened the door to deep dark passions of our mortal flesh and blood for almost a century..." (Jim Hart) In the case of Dracula he embodies these desires and therefore is able to take hold of the reader's imagination. "Dracula is more than the epitome of the Gothic villain, revitalized by the supernatural, though that would be enough; he has become one of the lasting myths of modern fiction. It would take more than garlic and holy water and a stake to put him down, and a legion of critics to explain him." (Campbell) From this quote it becomes quite evident that Dracula has become immortalized in our society.
Lastly Dracula deals with timeless themes. "Suppose that after the lapse of a generation, your novel is still enthusiastically acclaimed... Would the greatness of your novel be suspect? Yes it would..." (What Makes a Good Novel) Throughout the entire novel the main theme is good verses evil. In the novel, Dracula and all of the vampires represent evil, as they satisfy their selfish desires. Jonathan Harker and his following are the good, and try to stop Dracula from plaguing England much like he did in Transylvania. These people are all heroes. Even today the thought of good trumping over evil is a desirable outcome. Take for example the comic books that many children grow up on. In these books there are many variations, but the end result is always the same. Despite this predictable theme, the plot still remains fresh and interesting. This is maintained through a series of plot twists that make it so the reader never knows what is going to come next. Had Dracula contained themes that were only relevant to that specific time period, this would have made it very boring for future generations to read. Dracula deals with the idea of a person having secrets, regardless of how well a person may think you know them. It deals with vampires, something that can still be seen today. The last theme that the book covers is what goes bump in the night. In life we all have a secret desire to see the unknown, to be just a little freaked out. That is why people go to see horror movies. As Steven King said in "Why People Crave Horror Movies" "The mythic horror movie [or novel], like the sick joke, has a dirty job to do. It deliberately appeals to all that is worst in us. It is morbidity unchained, our most base instincts let free, our nastiest fantasies realized . . . and it all happens, fittingly enough, in the dark.." (King) While all of these themes are occurring, the world in which this is all happening is very realistic, with everything normal and understandable, that is except for Dracula. Dracula uses foil to contrast Harker's normalcy and genuine character with Dracula's evil and supernatural nature.
Dracula is unquestionably one of the best and most influential classics to date. This novel deals with timeless themes and the human condition, both of which, regardless of the time period, remain relevant to society. Both Dracula and Harker, the main characters of the novel, play a large part in making the novel a classic, but in very different ways. Dracula has the ability to take over the reader’s imagination, where as Harker is very relatable for the audience. Lastly, Dracula has spawned much of the media we have today. Despite the fact that Dracula may have been written in the 19th century, the core of this novel is still very relevant to today's society.
