an english extension 1 critical analysis on bram stoker's 'Dracula' in respect to Christianity

1. By: Kevin Tran & Whisley Reyes Christian Dracula

2. Bram Stoker’s Dracula, is a text based on the gothic/horror genre. A critical analysis on this text shows various religious representations and Christianity aspects. The various representations & aspects will be further discussed. Overview

3. Christian Conflictions There are various notions, events and entities embedded in Bram Stoker’s text that conflict with the religion of ‘Christianity’. Such clashes include immoral things such as to kill, be greedy. Evil commitments such as indecency, jealousy pride and folly. According to Christians, these actions only come from an ‘evil’ person. Dracula’s 3 brides, are examples of entities that contribute to taboo and sinful actions, going against Christianity beliefs.

4. Jew-Christian Conflict In ‘Dracula’, there are various connotations of a ‘Jew-Christian’, conflict. Dracula can be interpreted as a Jew, due to his physical features such as: long hooked nose, tall thin figure, long black gown. The majority to the inhabitants of Western Europe are Christian as they are known to occupy churches, utilising the ‘power of the crucifix’, etc in Bram stoker’s text. Thus making the invasion of Dracula, the ‘Jew’ with the western Europeans, the ‘Christians’, can be contextually, related to the ‘Jew-Christian’ conflict, which occurred in the past.

5. Christian Symbolism Dr Abraham Van Helsing is noted to be the ‘left hand of god’, as he acts, based on his belief that he is doing ‘god’s work’. Bram Stokers text contains various elements of superstition. In the text, ‘evil’ known to be able to be repelled by the essence of Christianity. Such as a peasant offering Jonathan Harker a crucifix to be used as a charm of protection against the dark forces of Count Dracula

6. Continuation of Christian Symbolism The use of particular features within the novel have representations for many different religious aspects. The white colour of the snow, the full moon/moonlight, lightning and garlic flowers symbolise light and holiness. The mention of the sea and liquids are associated to holy water and its ability to purify.

7. Christian References The representation of the count’s features as being associated with that of wild animals such as bats/wolves relate to the line “beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” within the bible, to suggest the count’s deceitful nature. Throughout the novel, the exclamation of specific phrases such as “thank God”, “God bless/forgive me” or “my God” indicate both the fear/respect, and the vanity, that the characters have for religion and holiness.

8. Death within the novel In Parallel To Christianity Within the novel, any form of resurrection through means of the count (such as draining of blood) is considered vile and blasphemous; as the rebirth of any human/creature befouled by Dracula is represented as being accursed. However, if the victim is slain, or if a character passes, within the novel, they are described as being “in eternal rest” suggesting the popular Christian belief of resurrection as being a work of God and not by any other means.