Blood is an essential element of the Brahm Stoker’s Dracula. It this used in many ways and in many forms. For example the book contains many references to family bloodlines, race, death and even life. Death and life are perhaps the most interesting forms that blood takes. In the novel blood is used a clear representation of death and a clear indication of life as well.

Perhaps one of the most famous references to blood as a life giver is on page 142 when Renfield exclaims, “The blood is life! The blood is life!” in the case of Count Dracula, and all other vampires for that matter, this exclamation holds especially true. In order for vampires to survive they need the blood of some living individual.

What is most interesting however is that in order for the vampires to live, something else must essentially die. Now we have, blood as evidence of death. When we look at all of the descriptions of those who have had blood taken from them, we notice that they are often described as pale and lifeless. The reason for this is that what has been removed extracted from them, voluntarily or involuntarily, was in many ways their life and strength. Once this source of life is removed thenthey will inevitably be weak and without strength.

Why then does Stoker use blood to represent both life and death? Some might say that this is a reference to Christianity and the blood of Christ. It was the blood of Christ that Christians believed purchased their salvation. In Christianity the blood is Jesus. Is used as a purifier and a cleanser from all sins and unrighteousness. With this in mind, how can we also blood as a clear indicator of death in the novel as well. One could perhaps say that Stoker is trying to communicate to readers that the even the life at its purest form has to come from some type of hurt and pain. Perhaps it is a commentary on human happiness and satisfaction and that we can not just have one without the other and that both death and life have to exist on the same plain.

Blood Represents Death.

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.