Beware the Evil Eye

"When we started, the crowd round the inn door, which had by this time swelled to a considerable size, all made the sign of the cross and pointed two fingers towards me. With some difficulty I got a fellow-passenger to tell me what they meant; he would not answer at first, but on learning that I was English he explained that it was a charm or guard against the evil eye. This was not very pleasant for me, just starting for a unknown place to meet an unknown man; but every one seemed so kindhearted, and so sorrowful, and so sympathetic that I could not but be touched."

In chapter 1 of Dracula, Jonathan Harker is making his way towards Count Dracula's castle. As he leaves one morning, the townspeople pray for him. I think that Stoker chose this gesture because in religion, prayer is used as protection from evil. Personally, I think Stoker may have thought of religion only as a security blanket because Jonathan, who is touched by their prayer, still becomes a victim of Dracula, meaning that even prayer (a divine power) couldn't help him.

Christian Imagery

“I think that someday the bishops must get together and see about breeding up a new class of curates.” I think that this passage is less about imagery and metaphor than it is about practical application to the novel. However there is one word in this passage that does add metaphorical meaning to it – “breeding”. The word puts the curates into class of their own, which they rightly are a class of their own. But the word breeding conjures up images of animals. The story does have some mention of animals like werewolves but mainly it deals with angels and demons. He uses the passage in this way to make the curates sound dispensable. It’s the diction of this passage that carries that peculiar message. This passage has no real aspect of Christian mythology as it more closely follows Christian doctrine. What he’s saying about religion here is that the doctrine is not what defines religion. What defines religion is history, practice, community and faith amongst other things. What he is saying about Christianity is that it must adapt and must change. That there will all ways be new classes added to society and for Christianity to survive it must make changes and adaptations.

Afterlife

"I on my part give up the uncertainty of eternal rest and go out into the dark where may be the blackest things that the world or the nether world holds!"















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

Last Supper for Renfield

"The blood is life! The blood is life!" (Stoker 142)

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.

Christianity 1, Count Dracula 0

Bela Lugosi as Dracula, 1931

Growing up, I was introduced to Count Dracula very young--never the book, but movies and costumes and songs and such. However, I had never thought of Count Dracula in an evil way, or even in a Christian way. To me, Dracula was just a silly, classic vampire that had a funny lisp. I was surprised to learn how much Stoker tied Christianity into the novel and how much Count Dracula embodied the opposite of Christianity’s central figure.

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, Bela Lugosi as Dracula, 1948

Unlike modern day vampire stories, Dracula does not glorify or mystify the existence of vampires. Count Dracula is clearly illustrated as a Satan-like character- a demon among men. Being cursed, Count Dracula is made to represent the existence of hell, which therefore proves the existence of salvation of one's soul that is believed in the Christian faith.

The existence of Christianity as a theme in the novel could possibly be seen as controversial- perhaps because the novel is considered gothic fiction, some may be inclined to believe that Stoker is mocking the Christian faith. However, it seems to be very clear throughout the novel that Stoker is paying reverence to Christianity, especially since in the end, the Christian protagonists wind up defeating the Satan-like Count Dracula. Stoker clarifies throughout the novel that the good of Christianity should and will prevail over Dracula’s Satanic evil.

“Great God! Merciful God, let me be calm, for out of that way lies madness indeed.” (Chapter 3)

“At least God's mercy is better than that of those monsters...” (Chapter 4)

Both of theses statements are made by Jonathan Harker in his journal. Jonathan Harker reveals that he turns to God for guidance when he is surrounded and overwhelmed by the Satanic evil in the castle. Stoker is using Harker, and the entire novel, to illustrate that through religion, Christianity in this case, one can overcome evil and gain salvation if he/she stays close to his/her own God, even in the face of temptation and fear. In Dracula, Stoker glorifies Christianity and God as opposed to the hellish, Satanic vampires and gears the reader towards favoring salvation of one’s soul through moral, Christian goodness over the Anti-Christ-like Count Dracula.

Christ Trumps Evil

In Stoker’s novel, the author uses Christian allusions to present the underlying message that there is evidence of God in all things. For example, a frenzied Mina says “...We must keep on trusting, and God will aid us up to the end. (Chapter 22)” As long as men have faith and place trust in God he will deliver them guidance and provide change. No matter what evils wait at our doorstep, whether that evil is the demonic Count himself, God will aid us in surviving the darkness. Faith in him will restore order to our lives.

In addition to the Christian allusions portrayed in the novel, Stoker introduces the uses of Christian imagery as well. In the first chapter of the novel, the common people clutch their rosaries, a beaded necklace consisting of a set of prayers, in order to protect them from evil. Stoker also symbolizes the power of Christ with the crucifix, which is defined as representing “Jesus Christ’s ability to battle with and force out evil.” For example, Van Helsing held up the crucifix to protect Arthur from the devilish Lucy who beckoned him in the churchyard.