Blood is a symbol for life and if it is not present, one is claimed to be dead. In Dracula, blood is ever present and represents many different situations; such as, life or death. When Lucy is drained of her blood, she is described to be deathly looking, which associates her with being dead. But once she is given a blood transfusion, she is “brought back to life.” The image of blood is given many reasons, but it either gives or takes life away. Throughout the book, Lucy is described as pale, which associates her with being dead; on the other hand, when she has color in her cheeks, from blood, she is alive again. This shows how blood is a symbol for life or death.
These are both images which represent life, blushing and fresh looking, and death, which is pale, and lacking of color beneath the skin.
Another situation that represents lack of blood being the symbol of death, is whenever the book Dracula talks about the Count. Count is always described as pale, cold, and deathly looking, unless he is filled with blood which makes his features more alive looking and flush. This shows how the blood can be the image of death, because whenever it is not present, the person is either dead, or even worse looks dead, which is never a complement to anyone.
I believe that when blood is represented as out of the body it can symbolize death. The pale look which you describe is due to this lack of blood. I do agree that when blood runs through our veins it represents vitality and liveliness.
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