Dracula by Bram Stoker

Author: Bram Stoker
Publisher: Penguin Classics; Reissue edition
Genre: Gothic, Horror
Year of Publication: 2003
Date of Publication: April 29, 2003
Pages: 560
ISBN-10: 0486411095
ISBN-13: 978-0486411095

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Summary

Dracula follows Jonathan Harker’s journey to Transylvania, where he encounters the mysterious Count Dracula. 

This tale brings together various characters who unite to combat Dracula’s deadly influence.

Main Plot & Characters

The plot centers on Count Dracula’s arrival in England and the subsequent battles fought by Harker, Mina Murray, Dr. Van Helsing, and others. 

As Dracula’s dark power spreads, the group bands together, determined to end his reign of terror.

Key Themes of Dracula

• Good vs. Evil: The battle between Dracula and the protagonists highlights classic themes of moral struggle.
• Fear of the Unknown: Dracula embodies foreign fears, bringing an unsettling threat from an unfamiliar land.
• Sexuality and Repression: Victorian anxieties around sexuality and purity are symbolized through Dracula’s allure and the transformations he induces.
• Mortality and Immortality: The allure of eternal life through vampirism contrasts with the fear of death and decay.

Writing Style

Stoker’s writing builds suspense, allowing multiple perspectives to reveal Dracula’s danger gradually.

Impact of Dracula

Dracula remains a foundational work of horror. It endures as a classic, with its themes and characters inspiring numerous adaptations and reinterpretations.

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