Dracula Themes Flashcards
Rationality:
“It was all very ridiculous but I did not feel comfortable”
Chapter 1; Harker
- ridiculous logical thinking
- his rationality leads to him being in the clutches of Dracula
Warped perception of reality;
“It is so far off that big things and little are mixed”
Chapter 1;
- perceptions of reality are warped
- sense of distortion creates a sense of sinister and uncomfortable
Rationality:
“If I had been fully awake I must have noticed the approach to such a remarkable place”
Chapter 2
- highlights Harkers rationality
- adjective: despite chaos, he appreciates beauty
- awe stricken beautiful architecture juxtaposed the environment of danger
Crossing geographical boundary:
“The instant, however, that I had stepped over the threshold, he moved impulsively forward”
Chapter 2;
- links to Gothic ideas of boundaries
- Harker has entered Dracula’s territory and will suffer the consequences
Religion:
“I drew away, and his hand touched the string of beads which held the crucifix. It made an instant change in him”
Chapter 2;
- religion scares Dracula
Rationality:
“It is very annoying, for I do not see how I am to shave, unless in my watch-case [..]”
Chapter 2:
Chapter 2:
- after Draculas near attack
- strange reaction; more concerned with the lost mirror than the fact that Dracula has no reflections
- near death experience but more worried about shaving
- still trying to fall back on rationality as explanation but it is beginning to fail
- won’t admit to his fears
“God preserve my sanity”
Chapter 3
- Harker’s opinion have progressed
- supernatural is a force to be reckoned with
- irony, goes from disfavouring religion yet he is now calling upon the power of God
Why might Dracula and Lucy be targeting children for their blood?
because they are easier targets and young blood is more potent for the undead
“I am so glad that (Mina) consented to hold back and let us men to the works”
Chapter 19
- theme of gender
- Harker is suggesting Mina is too weak to contribute, she is mentally but not physically strong enough
- misreads and underestimates her
- Mina is only considered helpful for her wit
- suggesting only the men are capable of fighting
