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Dracula by Bram Stoker: Summary and Literature Guide

Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, Dracula, is the foundation of modern vampire fiction and a masterpiece of Gothic literature. This epistolary novel uses journals, letters, and newspaper clippings to tell the story of a sinister Transylvanian Count who attempts to bring an ancient curse to the heart of Victorian London.

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The Journey to Castle Dracula

The story begins with Jonathan Harker, a young English solicitor, traveling to the Carpathian Mountains to assist Count Dracula with a real estate purchase in London. While initially charmed, Harker soon discovers he is a prisoner in the castle. He witnesses the Count's supernatural abilities, including his power to scale walls and control animals. As Harker fears for his life, the Count departs for England, leaving Harker to face the terrifying 'brides' of Dracula.

Terror in Whitby and London

The narrative shifts to England, focusing on Mina Murray (Harker’s fiancée) and her friend Lucy Westenra. After a mysterious ship crashes in Whitby, Lucy begins sleepwalking and falling ill with strange puncture wounds on her neck. Despite the efforts of her suitors and Dr. Seward, her health declines. Seward calls in his mentor, Dr. Abraham Van Helsing, a specialist who suspects a supernatural cause behind Lucy's mysterious anemia.

The Crew of Light and the Vampire Hunt

Following Lucy's death and her subsequent transformation into a vampire, Van Helsing convinces the group of the reality of the undead. They perform a ritual to release Lucy’s soul and vow to destroy Dracula. After Jonathan Harker escapes the castle and reunites with Mina, the group tracks Dracula’s movements in London. They locate the boxes of Transylvanian earth that serve as the Count's sanctuaries, hoping to trap him before he can turn Mina into a creature of the night.

The Final Stand in Transylvania

Realizing the hunters are closing in, Dracula flees back to his homeland. The group, led by Van Helsing, pursues him across Europe in a high-stakes race against time. The chase ends near the Count’s castle, where a final battle takes place at sunset. The heroes succeed in destroying Dracula just moments before he reaches the safety of his fortress, finally lifting the curse from Mina and ending the Count’s reign of terror.

What is the primary theme of Bram Stoker's Dracula?

The novel explores the conflict between Victorian modernity and ancient superstition, the battle of good versus evil, and the anxieties surrounding immigration and blood purity in late 19th-century England.

Why is Dracula written in an epistolary format?

Stoker used journals, letters, and telegrams to create a sense of realism and 'documentary evidence.' This format allows readers to see the events from multiple perspectives, increasing the suspense and psychological depth.

Who is the main protagonist of the story?

While Jonathan Harker starts the narrative, the book is an ensemble piece. Professor Abraham Van Helsing acts as the intellectual leader, while Mina Harker provides the organizational strength and resilience necessary to defeat the Count.

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