Dracula
"Books, like proverbs, receive their chief value from the stamp and esteem of ages through which they have passed." (Temple, Sir William). Bram Stoker's Dracula is a literary classic, which has stood the test of time. Dracula, written in 1897, makes reference to mythical creatures, which in the 20th century have substantial scientific merit. In the increasingly publicized culture of modern society, the reader, who desires to live vicariously through vampires, can experience an emotional release in the study of Dracula. This same modern day reader finds a sense of comfort in the rigid definition of gender roles in the novel, because of the disintegration of sexual barriers in modern civilization. Dracula is a novel, which is more relevant and appealing to modern readers then it ever was to readers of the past, who could not fully appreciate it because of the way in which society has evolved. At the time of Dracula's conception, the notion of vampires and werewolves was based purely on superstition and speculation. Through the character of Abraham Van Helsing the reader is informed of the characteristics of the vampire.
The vampire live on, and cannot die by mere passing of time; he can flourish when that he can fatten on the blood of the living. Even more, we have seen amongst us that he can even grow younger; that his vital faculties grow s tenuous, and seem as though they refresh themselves when his special pabulum is plenty. (pg.252) This type of creature in the 19th century was thought of by many scientific minds as ludicrous. Van Helsing struggles when he tries to convince the other men of the existence of vampires. "A year ago which of us would have received such a possibility, in the midst of our scientific, skeptical, matter-of-fact nineteenth century?" (pg252) It was not until late in the 20th century that the conditions of Porhyria and Haemotomania were proven. Both diseases inflict a lust for blood in those...
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