The novel Dracula clearly recognizes the existence of life after death. Christians believe in an eternal rest in either Heaven or Hell, based upon the deeds a person commits in his or her lifetime. There is also the "undead" mentioned in Dracula which may seem to similar to Limbo or Purgatory. Stoker also associates the color black with evil not only in the "nether world", but also in our physical world. Dracula embodies the evil present that dooms a life to hell. The undead live in constant waning for eternal rest and peace.
I think Stoker uses Christians ideas in Dracula in order to portray the message that humans must live a certain way in order to find eternal rest. For example Mina, who is perceived as very wholesome and dedicated to her husband, does not ultimately suffer the consequences from Dracula. Renfield, who consumes life, dies an untimely death for his evils. Dracula also is defeated which shows the triumph of good over evil. His soul would undoubtedly remain in hell for not only committing evil acts, but influencing others as well. The few good characters that die in Dracula show how innocent lives are affected by this evil.
http://youtu.be/Q5VnDTuW5rY
To me you talked about what the prompt asked for. I like your mentioning of people that the Count affected, and how their actions ultimately saved or doomed them. I don't usually think about what happens to the soul of the monster that the hero has just slain, but it makes sense to me that the Count goes to Hell. all in all a good blog.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your use of specific details to back up your argument, such as, the color black and the mention of limbo. You pointed out some good things that I never really gave much thought to. It makes sense that the most evil of men would die in the worst ways and also the stereotypical theme of "good overcomes evil."
ReplyDeleteWhat struck me the most is the mention of limbo. All ghosts stories have to do with the dead having "unfinished business" and you have pointed out that this also applies to the undead.