Gothic Elements In Dracula Essay - 1499 Words

Bram Stoker s Dracula is a staple of the Gothic Horror genre. It is a novel that has been scrutinized by countless readers since it was published in 1897. While Stoker s novel is certainly not the first example of a piece of gothic horror, or even the first example of a gothic horror story focusing categorically on vampires, it still managed to plenarily capture the attention of the public. But not only did Dracula enthrall the readers of its time, but it perpetuated to be a mainstay of the gothic horror genre, and was continually discussed over the following years. The myriad of ways this novel has been interpreted over the years verbalizes both to the depth of the novel and its themes as well as to the fascination that the public has†¦show more content†¦Our ways are not your ways, and there shall be to you many strange things† (Stoker 26). This castle and foreign setting are intended to draw out the fears and anxieties Harker, and the farther he travels into Transyl vania the more uneasy he and the reader get. The castle has though been only one part of the setting, and though they are not depicted in such vivid detail as the castle, the Carfax estate, Seward’s lunatic asylum, and Whitby Abbey all strongly resemble the stereotypical Gothic setting. An essential note in regards to setting is also the time period in which Stoker composes the novel. Rather than setting the novel in a medieval setting or at some obscure point before, it happens in Victorian Britain, completely grasping society of the day. This adjustment of the era is basic to the modernization and ensuing urbanization of the later time of the Gothic. Dracula is set up â€Å"firmly in the modern world† (Arata 621), and accordingly for the majority of the novel, this means the novel occurring in the urban setting, as the city was a noticeable element of the present day times. This transition of Gothic into the city and modern times enables the author to bring â€Å"the terror next door† and â€Å"gave an entirely new direction to horror literature† (Spencer 201). Stoker s Dracula built up a setting that perusers may really wind up living in, and thus brought theShow MoreRelatedCarmilla and Dracula1362 Words   |  6 PagesGothic Essay o A querying of normative gender behaviour and sexuality pervades the 19th century gothic fiction text. What does this reveal about the cultural context within the tale exists? 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