Plot Overview
The story begins with Jonathan Harker, a young English lawyer, traveling to the Carpathian Mountains to assist Count Dracula with a London real estate purchase. Harker quickly realizes he is a prisoner in a castle inhabited by supernatural beings. The scene then shifts to England, where Dracula arrives in the form of a dog after a shipwreck. He begins preying on Lucy Westenra, a friend of Harker’s fiancée, Mina. Despite the efforts of Dr. Seward and the learned Professor Abraham Van Helsing, Lucy eventually dies and transforms into a vampire. The 'Crew of Light'—consisting of Van Helsing, Seward, Harker, and others—vows to track down and destroy the Count to save Mina and rid the world of his influence.
Key Characters and Motivations
Count Dracula is the central antagonist, an ancient nobleman who seeks to expand his 'un-dead' empire into the modern world. Jonathan Harker represents the rational Victorian man who must confront the irrational. Mina Harker is the intellectual heart of the group, using her skills in organization and transcription to piece together the Count’s movements. Professor Van Helsing acts as the mentor figure, combining scientific knowledge with occult lore to lead the hunt. Other characters, like Arthur Holmwood and Quincey Morris, provide the physical strength and resources necessary for the final confrontation.
Major Themes and Symbols
The novel explores the tension between Victorian progress and ancient superstition. Blood is the most prominent symbol, representing life, heritage, and the transmission of corruption. The book also touches on the 'New Woman' archetype through Mina’s intelligence and Lucy’s tragic transformation. The epistolary format—comprising diary entries, letters, and newspaper clippings—highlights the theme of information and documentation as tools of power. By recording their experiences, the protagonists are able to turn the tide against a silent, secretive enemy.
Study Tips for Essays and Exams
When analyzing Dracula for a class assignment, look closely at how the setting changes from the wild East to the urban West. This contrast reflects Victorian fears about 'reverse colonialism' and the infiltration of foreign threats. For essay prompts regarding gender, compare the fates of Lucy and Mina to see how the novel rewards traditional feminine virtue while punishing perceived deviance. If you are studying for a quiz, make sure you can identify the various weaknesses of the vampire, such as garlic, crucifixes, and the requirement of sleeping in native soil.
