Fine Arts
“Enter freely and of your own will…” Dracula by Bram Stoker
By Amelia Reyes
Oct 20, 2007, 12:16

The story begins as a journal entry by Jonathan Harker, one of the main characters of the story. He’s traveling through the Carpathians into Transylvania, where his client resides. As he’s making his way to Dracula’s castle, the people in the town warn him not to go for it is the Eve of St George’s Day. Yet he doesn’t listen and continues on his way. Upon reaching his destination, he faces many terrifying experiences at Castle Dracula, which he eventually overcomes.

Back in England Mina Murray, Jonathan’s fiancée, and Lucy Westenra, her best friend, experience weird events unfolding before them, especially the mysterious and shocking arrival of the Demeter, the schooner that was carrying Count Dracula.

After the event of the Demeter, Lucy begins to have dreams of going to Whitby, an abandoned abbey, and waking up life less and tired. New characters come in such as, Arthur Holmwood, Lucy’s love interest, Dr. Seward, and Dr. Van Helsing. During their arrival she falls ill and dies; by this time Mina is married to Jonathan.

Upon discovering the true cause of Lucy’s death, Arthur, Dr. Seward, Dr. Van Helsing, Jonathan and Mina go after Count Dracula into the final face-off back at Castle Dracula with a dramatic ending.

This classic is truly wonderful, having all the elements that have made it survive the many years of literary life such as other classics such as “Jane Eyre”, “Pride and Prejudice.” Although at times the story moves slowly, it builds momentum toward the final climax, eternal life vs. human life.

The main reason why Stoker’s “Dracula” seems dreary is because everyone has seen different versions of the movie Dracula and failed to read the book. But a recommendation to all is to read the book before you view the movie it is based on.



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