This quote is from Chapter 11 in Dr. Seward's journal. It is what Renfield repeated after he cut Seward's wrist and lapped up his blood off the floor. I found this reference to be a clear allusion to the bible. When I read this I automatically thought of the New Testament, in particular the Last Supper. The bible quote that I am referring to is actually recited at most Christian Masses and is called the Words of Institution. It comes from Corinthians 11:24-25 and is what Jesus says to his diciples:
- Take this, a
- ll of you, and eat of it:
- for this is my body which will be given up for you.
- Take this, all
- of you, and drink from it:
- for this is the chalice of my blood,
- the blood of the new and eternal covenant.
- which will be poured out for you and for many
- for the forgiveness of sins .
- Do this in memory of me.
I believe Stoker used this allusion to show his faith in Christianity. He compares Dracula to an Anti-Christ and Renfield as a person who gave in to the allure of evil. As a crucifix can stop Dracula shows his faith in Christian salvation and that he believes it will prevail. When compared to other religions I think Stoker found Christianity to be the right one.
You make a really interesting and good point in connecting the concept of blood and salvation. In religious terms, the blood of Christ is what saves. In Dracula, however, blood in general is what allows evil to continue to survive. Furthermore,it quenches their thirst for life. However, can we then say that Renfield and Dracula are simply lost souls seeking salvation?
ReplyDeleteI think that you did a great job relating the quote to the Bible, but I think Veronica's comment had more success at relating the quote's purpose to the story.
ReplyDeleteAs she says that Renfield and Dracula could be lost souls seeking salvation, it makes me think of the whole purpose of consuming the body and blood of Christ in the form of the Eucharist at Mass. Christians see it as a way to salvation, but salvation is often referred to by Christians as "eternal life," which I think is the real thing both Dracula and Renfield are after.
I find it interesting that Stoker seems to be supporting Christianity throughout the story, but this use of paralleling Dracula and Renfield's consumption of human blood with the Christians' consumption of the blood of Christ seems contradictory. Maybe he's just using it to show how evil can corrupt a holy concept.
This is a perfect quote to symbolize Christianity. Christians believe they will be saved if they keep up with the Church aspect which involves drinking Jesus' blood. Drinking the blood gives them eternal life to Christians as does drinking the vampire blood. All of Brittany and Veronica's comments agree with what i say.
ReplyDeleteYour connection between the purpose and use of blood in Dracula and the purpose of blood in Christianity are quite accurately noted. In Christianity blood is used a purification agent and as a life giver. It has always been interesting to me, even as a Christian, that the blood of Christ, which was obtained through incredibly painful means, is something that we celebrate and "drink" on a regular basis. In there is scripture in the Bible that states that "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins." From this particular passage of scripture we can say that it was necessary for Christ to die, it is saying that His blood was the only way through which we could be redeemed. The same applies in Dracula. Vampire can not survive, except that someone dies and they drink their blood, because as Renfield so eloquently stated, "Blood is life."
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