Dracula - Symbolism of Blood - 1256 Words

In Bram Stoker s Dracula, the most blatant and powerful symbol is blood. He takes the blood that means so much to the believers of this legend and has it represent more than even they could imagine. Blood is the main object associated with vampires and vampirism. From a mythical standpoint, it is the basis of life for the vampires as they feed off of the blood of young, vibrant souls. From a more scientific standpoint blood is what would drip out of the corpse s mouth when family members would dig up their dead kin to check for the dreaded disease. Stoker takes the significance of this symbol and puts his own unique twist to the meaning of blood. He combines the traditional folklore of vampirism and the immense sexual undertones of the†¦show more content†¦Seward s obvious enjoyment of the situation is again seen when Van Helsing tells him that the operation is complete. Already? I remonstrated. ‘You took a great deal more from Art. It wasn t until after the operation that Seward began to feel the affects Ââ€" eerily similar to ones feeling after having an affair. The blood that Seward gave to Lucy was not only blood, but some of the passion and love that he has for her. Van Helsing is aware of this when he tells John that Â…nothing must be said of this. If our young lover should show upÂ…no word to him. It wouldÂ…frighten him and enjealous himÂ… Again, it is shown that the transfusion is more than just a transfusion. Why should Arthur Holmwood be jealous if Seward potentially saved his fiancà ©s life by giving her blood? Stoker is conveying that the blood is not only a physical object, but also a tremendous emotional object. The most vibrantly illustrated scene in the novel and a tremendous example of Stoker s symbolism is the infamous vampire baptism of Mina Harker. This scene is the essence of Stoker s attempt to emotionally confuse and discomfort the reader. As the scene begins Stoker paints a picture of the Count pressing Mina s face to his bare, bleeding chest. As the scene continues it becomes even more erotic and sexual and even more disturbing. With his left had he held both Mrs. Harker s hands, keeping them away with her arms at full tension; his right hand gripped her by the back ofShow MoreRelatedThe Good Will Always Prevail1077 Words   |  5 Pagesmodern-day vampires, the stereotypical Twilight and True Blood characters come into mind, but in realization this vampire fad came from a man who ruled Transylvania named Vlad Dracul, as known as Dracula. Bram Stoker wrote the novel, Dracula, with a gothic-style writing and a combined sense of romanticism. 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