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Modernity in Dracula

This paper considers Bram Stocker's novel Dracula in relation to modernity. Specifically, it analyzes Stoker's attitude toward scientific achievement; the widely held Victorian fear of modernity and technology.

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Bram Stoker's Dracula is one of the best known Gothic tales ofsupernatural creatures and terror However there is much more to Stoker'stext that meets the eye and the author is able to address severalsignificant concerns of his day while weaving a chilling account ofvampires at the same time Indeed in Dracula Stoker expresses the widely-held Victorian fear of technology and modernity and his charactersultimately discover that modern development in science and medicine cannotnecessarily be trusted In fact one might argue that the

Until Mina realizesthat recent events do in fact have a supernatural element and givesJonathan's notebook to the professor, Van Helsing is the only characterwilling to step beyond the conventions of modernity and fight Dracula onhis own terms. Indeed, in Dracula, Stoker expresses the widely-held Victorian fear of technology and modernity, and his charactersultimately discover that modern development in science and medicine cannotnecessarily be trusted. Works CitedStoker, Bram. Clearly,Stoker contends that this kind of attitude best prepares man to battle allof the world's evils, such as physical disease and mental illness, as wellas creatures like Dracula. Mina Murray, Lucy's best friend, appraises the symptoms of the illnessin a clinical manner, yet she cannot truly make sense of them. Thus,Stoker seeks to caution against hastily accepting the developments ofmodernity, as his novels demonstrate the dangers of that can result fromrelying on scientific advancements. She saw, I suppose, thedoubt in my face, for she put the rosary around my neck, and said, 'Foryour mother's sake...'" (Stoker 13). Stokerobviously does not trust modern technology and new modes of thinking, andbelieves that such developments should be tempered with an understanding ofdifferent cultural beliefs, no matter how old-fashioned or fantastic theymight seem. He declares, "We want no proofs. While the novel begins, much of the action takes place in the ruralsetting surrounding Dracula's castle. The villagers who inhabit this areaare both superstitious and deeply religious. Stoker's message in Dracula is thus clear - man should not rely onmodernity and its scientific advancements alone if he wishes to protecthimself from all of the world's threats. When Mina learns that her fiancé Jonathan, who has not communicatedwith her for quite some time, is sick in Budapest, she immediately travelsto Hungary to tend to him. Bram Stoker's Dracula is one of the best known Gothic tales ofsupernatural creatures and terror. Thus, when the action of the novel shifts to London, theineffectiveness of modern ways and scientific advancement to combat Draculaand his minions becomes all the more meaningful. Inthis regard, he is a direct contrast to Seward, who relies solely upon theconventions of modern science and thus remains baffled by Lucy's illness. They are aware of the dangersthat Dracula presents, and arm themselves accordingly. She tries the door and finding it locked, goesabout the room searching for the key" (Stoker 82). He explains, "I did not know what to do, for... Instead of trying to treat Lucy's disorder as simply a physicalillness, Van Helsing understands that she is at risk from a far greaterdanger. As a result, Dracula is permitted to wander free, withoutintervention. Once the others accept the supernaturalmethods that will defeat Dracula, they are finally able to kill the evilcreature. Dracula. It istherefore not entirely a surprise that Harker finds himself a prisoner inDracula's castle, barely able to fight off the evil lure of the infamousvampire. Yet, Van Helsing understands that others living in the modernworld will not believe their story. When he is able to convince the others that modern science cannotaccount for the evils of Dracula, Van Helsing scores a major victory in thequest to destroy the Count. She warns him, "...whenthe clock strikes midnight, all the evil things in the world will have fullsway" (Stoker 12), but Harker is from the modern, urban environment ofLondon, and thus does understand the ways of the rural world wheretechnological advancements have not yet taken hold. While Van Helsing is unable to save Lucy from becoming a vampire, heis the only one able to offer any real hope for the doomed girl. The climax and conclusion of Dracula itselfdemonstrates this. However, there is much more to Stoker'stext that meets the eye, and the author is able to address severalsignificant concerns of his day, while weaving a chilling account ofvampires at the same time. His modern upbringing does not enable him to accept such wildnotions, and thus warn Mina of the true dangers that Dracula represents.He hands over his notebook with the account of his time at the castle toher, and tells her not to speak of its contents unless she absolutely must. As is the case with Lucy, Jonathan is diagnosedin a purely scientific manner, as modern medicine dictates. I have been taught toregard such things as in some measure idolatrous... The innkeeper's wife, who clearly has not embraced modern ways, knowsthe methods that will protect Harker from Dracula. In fact, one might argue that the characters whoadhere to 'modern' ways in Dracula leave themselves vulnerable to the evilsof Dracula and his minions because they rely too heavily on modern science,and eschew the superstitions that might actually protect them. Thus, in Stoker's world, modernity clearly has its advantages,but it only cannot save man from the world's horrors. Adherering solely to thetenets of modern science and its advancements would have left Van Helsingand the others at the mercy of evil Count Dracula. Indeed, one may argue that by depicting the well-educated, modernurban man as utterly vulnerable to the powers of Dracula, Stoker offers upa cutting criticism of modernity and all its supposed advancements. Mina notes,"Lucy has not walked much in her sleep the last week, but there is an oddconcentration about her which I do not understand, even in her sleep sheseems to be watching me. Jonathan doubts the veracity of his notes because "You know I had brainfever, and that is to be mad" (Stoker 119). Conventional modern wisdom does not allow for anything else. Once shedoes die, it is Van Helsing who attempts to prevent her from rising againby burying her with garlic and placing a crucifix in her mouth. The failure of modernscience to explain Dracula's power is perhaps best exemplified by the wayin which friends and family react to Lucy Westenra's strange illness.Indeed, because those around Lucy adhere so strongly to modern ways ofthinking, they are unable to recognize that Dracula has begun to turn herinto a vampire. Harker himselfrecognizes the difference, and, perhaps, inadequacies of modern ways, as hedeclares, "...unless my senses deceive me, the old centuries had, and have,powers of their own which mere 'modernity' cannot kill" (Stoker 41). Inmany ways, this refusal to acknowledge folk and non-Western wisdomultimately allows Dracula's reign of terror to endure longer thannecessary, and leaves Mina herself vulnerable to the Count's powers. Thus, it is not until Dr. Van Helsing, a man who embraces both theadvancements of modern science and technology and the supernatural customsof folk culture, becomes involving in the perplexing series of deaths andillness that Dracula truly meets a foe that is capable of destroying him.Indeed, in the character of Van Helsing, Stoker has struck a balancebetween relying solely upon scientific knowledge and modern modes ofthinking and embracing religious and superstitious beliefs. He performs blood transfusions, using his medical knowledge toaid the patient as well. Indeed, the balance in Van Helsing's approach tothe world around him leads Seward to describe him thusly: "He is aphilosopher and a metaphysician, and one of the most advanced scientists ofhis day, and he has, I believe, an absolutely open mind" (Stoker 135). Thus, it may be argued that Stoker sees littlevalue in scientific advancements in one does not temper them with a deeper,more spiritual belief system. Indeed, in Dracula, it is only when Van Helsing becomesinvolved in Lucy's illness, and uses his knowledge of both modern medicineand rural superstitions, that there is a chance for Dracula to bedestroyed. He is ableto convince the other men to drive a stake through Lucy's heart so that shewill truly be made dead, free from Dracula's curse. These behaviors do notspeak to a physical disease, but a supernatural one, and Mina is unable toaccept that fact because she is committed to modern modes of thinking. They attempt to explain her illness with modern scientificprinciples, when in fact such principles have no bearing upon what hashappened to Lucy, and she eventually becomes a vampire as result ofDracula's bite. Because of his belief inmodern wisdom, he is unable to accept his terrifying experiences asreality. As Jonathan Harkerprepares to leave the inn in Bistritz, the innkeeper's wife presents himwith a crucifix and rosary beads as protection against the evils that sheis sure he will encounter on his journey. In the novel, the reader observesthat it is those characters who maintain open-minds regarding superstitiousor religious beliefs that are best able to ward off Dracula. Harker is unfamiliar with suchsuperstitious or religious customs, and is caught off-guard by the gesture. All his talk"of wolves and poison and blood, of ghosts and demons" are dismissed asfever-induced, as Sister Agatha of the hospital where he is recuperatinginforms Mina, "in his delirium his ravings have been dreadful" (Stoker1 2). It is Dr. Van Helsing, thus, who brings garlic flowers in her roomin an effort to ward off the vampires. Weask none to believe us!" (Stoker 354). Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1979. Indeed, even Jonathan himself, who has witness the horrors of CountDracula's castle firsthand, refuses to acknowledge that what he hasexperienced. When it isobvious that she has become one of Dracula's minions, preying upon smallchildren in the area, it is Van Helsing who is the only one who will admitwhat she has become a vampire: "she is Un-Dead" (Stoker 211). It does not matter to him thatothers will not accept the fantastical nature of their story because VanHelsing knows that his willingness to see beyond the conventions of themodernity has allowed him to destroy true evil. It would never occur to thoroughlymodern thinkers such as Mina and Dr. Seward to follow such superstitiouscustoms, but they do in fact protect Lucy for several days. At the sametime, however, Van Helsing also employs modern methods to treat Lucy'sconditions.

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