Presented as Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
Adrianus Murdiatmoko H.
(014214110)
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
We keep moving forward
Opening up new doors,
and doing new things.
Because we’re curious…
and curiosity..
Keeps leading us down new paths
Walt Disney
For
Mom and Dad
My Brother Murdoc and My Sister Adrianne
And
My ‘Angelic’ Reviana Aurel Putri Kirana
blessings and power in every second in my life, and make me stronger to face all the
obstacles in my life.
My gratitude goes to my Mom and Dad for being a wonderful parent for me.
For my sister Adriane and her husband Fabian, for my big brother Murdoc, his wife
Anti and my nephews Aya & Mayo for supporting me, and for my beloved ‘angelic’
Reviana Aurel Putri Kirana for giving me love, hugs, kisses and the unlimited
strength to carry on and being my biggest motivation to be a better man in the future
for you.
I also thank Dra. Enny Anggraeni, M.A as my advisor for her time and
advices and for my academic advisor, Dewi Widyastuti,S.pd., M.Hum for helping
me during my time in English Letters.
Special thank to all members of Stratosphere Community and Strato diva(s)
especially Methania. For my lovely computer ‘Elena’ for accompanying me in joy
and sadness, to my best friends Tommy, Ale and Catur for the real meaning of
friendship, for Aryo and Family in Sinosutan, for my ‘little sisters’ Dian Pratiwi
(UGM) and Yuli Satyawati, to my ex girlfriend(s) for the support, for all my friends
in Narada 10C boarding house, my friends in 2001 class, all lectures and staffs in
English Letters Department, and all of the people for all the supports in making this
thesis.
Adrianus M.H. –Nicho-
Symbols in literary works usually have a purpose to tell the hidden message from the author to the reader. The author usually uses events in the story, the actions of the characters or things and icons which appear in the story. In Dracula, Bram Stoker uses events in the story, the actions of the characters, and icons from Catholic icons to symbolize his hidden meaning.
The objectives of this study are, first, to find the evilness in the character of Dracula which symbolizing something. Second, to find and reveal the meaning of symbolic events or icons in the story by relating to the possibility of author’s purpose. Third, to find the relation between the action from the story, symbolic meaning and the Christian icons in the story
This study applies library research method and uses an exponential or a symbolic approach. This study also applies two theories and two explanation related to the topic. They are theories of symbols and characters and the explanation for the condition of Victorian age and the meaning of Christian icons.
The result of the analysis for the first problem formulation shows that the evilness of Dracula brings chaos in modern society. He bits people and turned them into the-Undead (the bloodsucking vampire). In here, Dracula symbolizes the supernatural power which invades the modern society.
From the analysis of the second problem formulation, the result is the events in the story that symbolizes something; Dracula which symbolizing the supernatural power invading the modern society in non-scientific and non-logic ways to destroy the arrogance of the modernity at that time. The arrogance of modernity start to collapse when their most advanced technique proved useless to fight against Dracula and his evil power; it was proved in the failure of advance medical technique to cure Lucy’s illness. Finally the modernity has to admit that non-modern scientific ways can defeat Dracula; like garlic, Crucifix, and Holy Communion wafers from the Catholic icons.
The result of the analysis for the third problem formulation is: the relation between Christian icons and the events in the story to fight the evil power in the story. Non-scientific Crucifix and Holy Communion wafers proved effectively to protect and purified soul from the evil power. It might relate to the author’s purpose to criticize the modernity and give the hidden message to trust the promise of Christian salvation.
Simbol dalam karya sastra biasanya mempunyai tujuan untuk menyampaikan pesan tersembunyi dari sang penulis ke pembaca. Sang penulis biasanya menggunakan kejadian-kejadian dan peristiwa di dalam ceritanya, hal-hal yang dilakukan sang karakter dalam ceritanya, atau suatu obyek atau benda yang ada di dalam cerita. Pada Dracula, Bram Stoker menggunakan pesan tersembunyi nya pada peristiwa-peristiwa yang ada di dalam cerita, hal yang dilakukan sang karakter, dan benda-benda simbolis dari kepercayaan Katolik.
Tujuan pada studi ini adalah, pertama, untuk mencari kejahatan iblis pada karakter Dracula yang menyimbolkan sesuatu. Kedua, mencari dan menguak arti dari simbol-simbol yang tersembunyi di dalam benda-benda atau peristiwa-peristiwa dalam cerita dengan mengaitkannya dengan segala kemungkinan yang mungkin akan disampaikan sang penulis dalam ceritanya. Ketiga, mencari korelasi antara peristiwa-peristiwa simbolis yang ada dalam cerita dengan ikon dan barang-barang simbolis dalam kepercayan Katolik.
Studi ini menggunakan metode penelitian pustaka dan menggunakan pendekatan simbolis eksponential. Studi ini juga menggunakan dua teori besar dan dua teori penjelasan yang berhubungan dengan cerita. Teori-teori itu adalah teori simbol, teori karakter dan teori-teori penjelasan dari teori sosio-kultural zaman Victoria dan teori penjelasan untuk menjelaskan benda-benda simbolis dari kepercayaan Katolik.
Hasil yang didapat dari analisis atas rumusan masalah pertama menunjukkan bahwa kekejaman Dracula membawa kekacauan di kehidupan modern. Ia menggigit orang-orang dan menjadikannya Vampir penghisap darah. Disini, Dracula menyimbolkan kekuatan supernatural yang masuk di dalam kehidupan modern.
Dari hasil analisis atas rumusan masalah kedua didapatkan kejadian-kejadian dalam cerita yang menyimbolkan sesuatu; Dracula, yang menyimbolkan kekuatan supernatural masuk ke dalam kehidupan modern dengan cara-cara yang tidak logis dan tidak dapat di tangkap dengan ilmu pengetahuan untuk menghancurkan pilar-pilar kesombongan dari modernitas saat itu. Pilar-pilar-pilar kesombongan modernitas mulai hancur saat cara-cara paling modern pun terbukti gagal dan tidak bisa melawan Dracula dan kekuatan iblis nya. Ini terbukti pada peristiwa gagalnya cara pengobatan modern untuk menyembuhkan penyakit Lucy. Pada akhirnya modernitas harus mengakui cara-cara non-modern untuk mengalahkan Dracula; seperti bawang putih, Salib dan Hosti suci dari symbol-simbol Katolik.
Hasil dari analisis atas rumusan masalah ketiga menunjukan korelasi cerita bahwa Salib dan Hosti suci lebih efektif untuk melawan dan menyucikan jiwa dari kekuatan iblis. Hal ini dapat juga diartikan sebagai pesan tersembunyi dari sang pengarang untuk mengkritik kehidupan modernitas dan lebih mempercayai janji keselamatan dari kepercayaan Kristiani.
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
I choose Bram Stoker’s Dracula as my novel and the topic ‘Superstition
and icons as the symbols against evil as seen in Bram Stoker’s Dracula’, because I like gothic/horror genre novel. In gothic/horror genre novel the writer could
describe the fear and horror in the novel from his/her story. Many critics said that
Bram Stoker’s Dracula is the best gothic novel ever. That is why I am interested in this novel.
Besides this best selling novel, the novel itself has adapted to a movie which
is made by Sony pictures; starred with Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder and Gary
Oldman. So there is no doubt that this novel is worth to be analyzed
The inspiration of Dracula’s character comes from Eastern European history. In the prince of Wallachia, Vlad Tepes, or Dracula ("Son of Dracul"), Bram Stoker
found inspiration for his tale of an undead nobleman. Vlad Tepes ("Vlad the
Impaler") was a fifteenth Christian nobleman who fought against the Turks. He was a
defender of his country and his religion, winning the Pope's praise for his campaigns
against the Moslems. The times were full of fear for the war. The Rome of the east
had just fallen to the ever-expanding Turks.
Vlad was also legendary for his cruelty, to Moslem and Christian enemies
alike. He was famous for his love of impaling his victims, a method of execution in
which it often took days for the condemned to die. After one battle, thousands of
Turkish soldiers were impaled at Vlad's command. After Vlad's death, legends about
him continued to multiply. Stoker drew on Vlad's legend for the creation of the
vampire Dracula. (www.classicnote.com - 2nd April 2005)
The reader can explore the story with their imagination with tension of horror
and fear. In the novel like Marry Shelley’s Frankenstein and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the writers explore the deepest human fears in their work.
In ‘Dracula’ I found that Bram Stoker used a lot of symbols from the superstitious legend and many Christian’s icons in this novel. The most interesting
part in this novel in my opinion is how the icons can defeat Dracula, while at that
time technology and science develop so fast in England (especially London).
The writer, in this novel tries to tell us that technology in this novel proves
useless to fight the evil power. He criticizes the arrogance of social structure at that
time who believes in advanced technology.
The novel was published as the first edition in June 1897 and the original title
of the novel was ‘Un –Dead’.
I was interested in this novel because the weird creatures in the story, and
also the tension of horrors from the chapters in the story.
The supernatural power, demon, and evils are represented as Dracula or
Vampires in this novel. The Legend of the Vampire itself was become a folklore in
most of the cultures in many countries, From China, India, until Incan empire. But in
this novel Stoker tries to explore the Vampire or Dracula legends in Eastern
European folklore. The Dracula itself has become his most famous novel, and
instantly bestseller. Some critics said that this is the most famous horror novel ever.
It has been reprinted over and over again for hundred years, and the film adaptation
B. Problem Formulation
1. What are the evilness of Dracula shown in the book?
2. In the story, what are the symbolic events that related with the arrogance of
modernity in dealing with Dracula’s supernatural power?
3. What are the superstitious and Christian icons that can fight Dracula?
C. Objective of the Study.
The purpose of this part is to explain more about my objective in my thesis.
The purpose of this part is to answer the questions that have been stated in the
problem formulation. The purpose are, firstly, to find out the evilness of the character
Dracula in the novel Bram Stoker’s Dracula, secondly to reveal the symbolize event
that stated in the story, the symbolize events of the arrogance of modernity. The third
part also tells the purpose to find out about how the icons are used, what the icons are
symbolized to. To see how the Christian Icons are related to the novel and to find out
more the purpose behind that icons that used in the story.
D. Definition of Terms.
The aim of this part is to help the reader in understanding the terms that I use
in this thesis. The terms in this thesis are important to understand the content of my
thesis. The term ‘symbols’ according to Merriam Webster’s Encyclopaedia of
Literature is “symbolist works nonetheless had strong and lasting influence on much British and American Literature.” The term “icon” also in Merriam Webster’s
Merriam Webster’s Encyclopaedia of Literature. I found the term “Victorian” which stated here is “body of work written in England during the reign of Victoria
(1837-1901).”
According to Cassel’s Encyclopaedia of World Literature the meaning of “Symbolism” is “a Literary movement of French origin proclaim by Jean Moreas in
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
This chapter discusses about the theoretical review. The content in this
chapter consist of: the review of related studies, review of related theories and
theoretical framework. Review of related studies describes the opinion or critics from
other people toward this novel Bram Stoker’s Dracula. In review of related theories,
it discusses how the literature theories can be applies in this story. In this case the
theory of symbols is used in understanding more the symbolic events, character’s
behaviour, and icons in the story. Theoretical framework explains the contributions
of the theories and reviews toward this story and why the theories are needed.
A. Review of Related Studies
In this part I use journals from other people to support my analysis which
related to the context. In my analysis I use theory of symbols and socio cultural
background to support the theory. According to Elizabeth Miller, who is recognized
internationally for her expertise on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula; and its origins in folklore, literature and history, as well as its influence on twentieth-century
culture.
“...Stoker also relies heavily on the conventions of Gothic fiction, a genre that was extremely popular in the early nineteenth century. Gothic fiction traditionally includes elements such as gloomy castles, sublime landscapes, and innocent maidens threatened by ineffable evil. Stoker modernizes this tradition in his novel, however, moving from the conventional setting of Dracula’s ruined castle into the bustle of modern England. As Stoker portrays the collision of two disparate worlds—the count’s ancient Transylvania and the protagonist’s modern London—he lays bare many of the anxieties that characterized his age: the repercussions of scientific
advancement, the consequences of abandoning traditional beliefs, and the dangers of female sexuality. To this day, Dracula remains a fascinating study of popular attitudes toward sex, religion, and science at the end of the nineteenth century.
Elizabeth Miller has lectured on the subject throughout Canada (including
presentations for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Stratford Festival and CBC-TV’s
“Opening Night”), as well as in the United States, England, Ireland, Germany,
Poland and Romania. In addition to participating in several television documentaries
on both sides of the Atlantic, Dr. Miller has been interviewed by major media
including the BBC, ABC News, CBC, the Guardian, U.S. News & World Report, the
New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, Entertainment Weekly, the Globe & Mail, the
Los Angeles Times, and the Wall Street Journal. Her publications on Dracula include of articles and six books:
Reflections on Dracula, Dracula: The Shade and the Shadow, Dracula: Sense & Nonsense, Dracula (a coffee-table book also available in French and German edition), a volume on Dracula for the Dictionary of Literary Biography and, most recently, A Dracula Handbook. (www.ucs.mun.ca,) According to journal from Ryan Judkins :
Dracula has an affective dynamism, an ability to affect change upon others; nowhere is it more evident than in these two girls and in those who battle for them. This dynamism has the affect of drawing to the surface the hidden depths of one’s soul, though in the case of vampiric transformation, there is a noted demonic influence that twists this to the blood lust of the vampire. In Lucy’s case, as the only one who is presented both before and after transformation, the affect is so dramatic as to be astonishing. Principally described as a “sweet, little girl”
The Journal above tells us about the symbolic meaning of the character of
Dracula who bit women; which in this case represent the changes of behaviour of the
social condition of women at that time. Lucy represents the changes of behaviour of
women at that time after the ‘renaissance’ time in British society. While Mina Harker
represent the women who is still pure and carry the womanhood ideology at that
time; which are caring, innocent and pure.
B. Review of Related Theories
I use theory of symbols, theory of character and the explanation of Christian
icons to reveal the symbolic things or events in the story, which I relate it to socio
cultural in Victorian age that time. Victorian age in British (in the story) be
represented as a western civilization that was well known of their advanced modern
thought, science, logic and reasons. In this story it is obviously that Stoker tries to
explore the supernatural power that exemplified by Dracula, can make a chaos and
disease in the western society that time. Theory of symbols is used in understand the
symbolic meaning behind those events in the story, theory of character is used to
reveal the evilness of Dracula in the novel, while the explanation of Catholic icons in
the story is to explain to the reader the function of those catholic icons that are used
in the novel
1. Theories of Symbols
Theory of symbols is about theories that explain the symbols that appear in
the story. I found that symbolic icons are really related to the story that becomes a
According to Mary Rohrberger and Samuel H. Woods in Reading and
Writing about Literature,
Sometimes an author uses symbols in characters, places, actions, objects and details. Through these things the author tries to give a concrete reality toward invisible things so that the meaning can be visible (Rohrberger and Woods 1971:18)
The symbols like icons and symbolic events appear in the story; maybe it is
the way of the author to criticize something in the society that time. He hides the
meaning through the symbols that appears in the story. The use of this theory of
symbols is to expose more the hidden meaning through the icons and symbolic
events in the story.
In Literature: Structure, Sound and Sense by Laurence Perrine. He stated that to define symbol there several things to be considered. According to him,
a. The story itself must furnish a clue that a detail is to be taken symbolically. The
symbols always signal their existence through emphasis, repetition, or position.
In the absence of such signal. The reader should be reluctant to identify an idea
as symbolical. (1974:214)
b. The meaning of literary symbol must be established and supported by the entire
context of the story. The symbol has its meaning in the story, not outside it
(1974:214)
c. To be called symbol, an item must suggest a meaning different in kind from its literal meaning or in other words, a symbol is something more than the
representative of class or type. (1974:215)
d. A symbol may have more than one meaning. It may suggest a cluster of meaning
From the explanation above, Laurence Perrine tries to explain the
characteristic of symbol and how to find symbol in a story.
In A point above, he wants to explain how the story should emphasize the
repetition of the symbols in the story. For example if the icons symbolizing
something in the story, then those icons should appear more often in the story. The
reader have to realize that the icons itself symbolize something in the story.
In B point above, Laurence Perrine tries to explain that the meaning of
symbols should be connected and related in the story. The meanings of those
symbols also have to be related for the hidden meaning of the story; So that the
meaning of those symbols can help the readers to understand more about the story.
In C point above, I think he wants to say that symbols should be different
from its literal meaning. For example the sign “no smoking” is not symbolizing
anything; because it is already clear that the sign is represent ‘it is not allowed to
smoke here’. But in the other hand sunrise is symbolizing a new life or new born.
Another example in this novel the Christian icons is not represent as tools to kill
vampires or Dracula (even though the function is for that), but Christian icons here
symbolize the promise of Christian salvation from the evil.
In D point above, he wants to say that symbols in a story may have more than
one meaning. The various meaning can be freely interpreted by difference readers as
long as it still related to the story.
Not only in this novel, I believe the use of the theory of symbols can be
appear in other novels, which the author wants to say something or criticize
character from the novel also can be symbolize something, can be the setting,
behaviour, scenes, events, and many more.
In An Introduction to Fiction, Robert Stanton stated that,
“Symbol may be anything from an egg to the story settings : a single object, a physical type of object, a physical substance, a shape, a gesture, a colour, a sound, a fragrance, etc... they may represent a facet of human personality, futile ambition, the romanticism of youth, and so on” (Stanton 1965:31)
In here I want to emphasize in events, icons or character in Bram Stoker’s
Dracula. In the story there are several Catholic icons that symbolize something in the story; the icons like Crucifix, Communion wafers and holy water are the icons which
are symbolize the Christian salvation from the evil. The further analysis in these
icons will be described more in analysis chapter.
The other symbols can be events, blood, etc. The behaviour of the characters
also can symbolize something in the story. The author want to tell us about the
hidden meaning using those symbolize things. The further explanation about these
also will be explained in analysis chapter.
Abrams stated that symbol is applied only to a word or set of word that
signifies an object or event which itself signifies something else; that is, the words
refer to something which suggest a range of reference beyond itself (1990:168).
In A Glossary of Literary terms, Abrams also stated that symbols are divided into two categories. They are conventional and private symbols. Conventional
symbols.
For examples the rising sun is identical with birth then the other one is the
actions; for example is the word ‘rose’ in William Blake poem ‘The sick Rose” that
has many different interpretation (1985:206).
While in The Longman Dictionary of Poetic Terms by Jack Myers and Michael Simms, stated that the term ‘Symbol’ can be divided into three. First one is
the archetypal or cultural symbols, the second one is the general symbols, and the
last is private symbols or authorial or contextual symbol. The Archetypal or cultural
symbols is a natural object refers to limited number of interpretations that transcends
cultural barriers. The second symbol is general symbol, which appeals to a smaller
audience but which contain more associative meaning. And the last symbol is the
private symbol or authorial or contextual symbol. Which is created in an author’s
imagination and conveying any member of meaning in guiding context. (1989:298).
2. Theories of Character
In Understanding Unseens, M.J. Murphy stated that character can be defined as Protagonist and Antagonist. Protagonist is the character at the center of the plot.
We consider protagonist as the hero or the central character in a novel. An
Antagonist is the character in conflict with the Protagonist. The Antagonist or villain
is the one who attempts to foil the hero’s plans, the one who goes out of his way to
soil his good name and ruin his reputation and who also tries to win from the hero’s
woman who is the object of his affections (1973: 157-159).
According to Laurence Perrine in the book Literature: structure, sound, and
sense the second edition, argues that to be convincing, characterization must also observe three other principles; first the characters must be consistent in their
unless there is clearly sufficient reason for the change. Second, the character must be
clearly motivated in whatever they do, especially when there is any change in their
behaviour: we must be able to understand the reason for what they do, if not
immediately, at least by the end of the story. Third, the characters must be plausible
or lifelike. They must be neither paragons of virtue nor monsters of evil nor an
impossible combination of contradictory trait (1959: 69).
In An approach in English Literature, Van De Laar states that the author
creates a character according his own imagination and actual life. His own creative
imagination maybe paramount, the characters must always in some way be taken
from actual life (De Laar, 1963: 165).
However many characters in a novel may be like actual human beings, they
are not actual human beings. They only exist in the novel in which they have a
function. This naturally leads us to the significance of novelist’s experience of life
and his powers of re-fashion and re-creation so that the characters can function as a
means of conveying some messages, in this case the author’s social life (De Laar,
1963: 165-166)
In Literature for Composition (1988: 71-72) by Barnet and Burto states that you can perceive traits of character if, when you re-read the work, you consider the
following points.
a) What the character (the figure) says. But keep in mind, of course, that the
character may be hypocritical, or may be self – deceived. Thus, X may lament
that he or she has bad luck, but the reader may perceive that X has, by his or her
b) What the character does.
c) What other characters (including the narrator of the story) say about the
character. Again, these comments may accurate, or since they are uttered by
particular personalities, the comments may be biased in one way or another.
d) What the characters do. The figure you are writing about may be illuminated by
others in the work, figures who do or do not engage in actions resembling the
actions resembling the actions of your. For instance, in an effort to reveal
Romeo’s character, you may want to compare him briefly to Count Paris –
another lover of Juliet- or even to Juliet, who, after all, is like Romeo, a young
lover. (1988: 71-72)
There are two kinds of character in the novel they are flat characters and
round characters. A flat character is constructed round a single idea or quality and is
presented without much individualizing detail –goodness, badness, etc- (Foster,
1974: 46-47). While De Laar says that a flat character or types of caricatures often
represented only mainly in one aspect (1963: 170). A round character is complex in
temperamental and motivation and is represented with subtle particularly: such a
character is difficult is difficult to describe with any adequacy as a person in real life,
and like real person (Foster, 1974: 71). The most perfect way for a novelist to
represent his characters is to represent them in wholeness and their different aspects.
Character thus represented is called round character (De Laar, 1963: 170).
3. Socio - Cultural Theory (Victorian)
Victorian age is a time when Queen Victoria was reign (1837-1901). I use
According to Glencoe Literature (Glencoe/McGraw Hill Companies, United States
1976), “The Victorian encompassed years of unprecedented economic and technological and political expansion & dramatic social change.
- Britain peaked in influence as the world power the British Empire covered about quarter of the world’s area and population, reaching into Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Asia.
- People referred England as ‘Workshop of the World’. A strong middle class arose, and its rigid standards and moral tone defined the age unfortunately as material and technological advances multiplied, so did congestion, slums, and exploited middle class.
- A growing social consciousness stirred reforms, public health acts established, local control over water sewage and other public health matters. In 1891 free grammar schools established.
From the explanation above we can conclude that at that time not only
technology develop so fast at that time, but also the standard of living from the
society increase. But also there are some problems affected from this development,
slums, and exploited working class are the examples.
Here are some events during Victorian age which I got from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_era:
In 1842 a law is passed to ban women and children from working in coal,
iron, lead and tin mining. It means that the social structure at that time protect
women and children from exploitation.
Around 2,000 people a week die in a cholera epidemic In 1848. That event
means that the decrease of human sanitation and hygiene. (maybe it because from the
rapid of industrialization)
According to Glencoe Literature (Glencoe/McGraw Hill Companies, United
that Britain known as ‘workshop of the world’ so The Great Exhibition (the first
World's Fair) is held in the Crystal Palace in 1851, with great success and
international attention. It means at that time the technology and industrialization
develop so fast.
In 1857 the Indian Mutiny, a widespread revolt in India against the rule of the
British East India Company, was sparked by sepoys (native Indian soldiers) in the Company's army. The rebellion, involving not just sepoys but many sectors of the
Indian population as well, was largely quashed within a year. In response to the
Mutiny, the East India Company was abolished in August 1858 and India came
under the direct rule of the British crown, beginning the period of the British Raj.
In 1858 the Prime Minister Lord Palmerston responded to the Orsini plot
against French emperor Napoleon III, the bombs for which were purchased in
Birmingham, by attempting to make such acts a felony, but the resulting uproar
forced him to resign.
The shocking theory that might appear in Victorian era is In 1859, when
Charles Darwin publishes "The Origin of Species", which leads to great religious
doubt and insecurity. I think this was the greatest influenced of the religious doubts
to society and it make the disbelief in religious foundation.
1861 Prince Albert dies; Queen Victoria refuses to go out in public for many
years, and when she does she wears a widow's bonnet instead of the crown.
1866 an angry crowd in London, protesting John Russell's resignation as
prime minister, was barred from Hyde Park by the police; they tore down iron
railings and trampled the flower beds. Disturbances like this convinced Derby and
Because according to Glencoe Literature (Glencoe/McGraw Hill Companies,
United States 1976), “The Victorian encompassed years of unprecedented economic and technological and political expansion & dramatic social change, Britain peaked in influence as the world power the British Empire covered about quarter of the
world’s area and population, reaching into Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa
and Asia. So in 1875 Britain purchased Egypt's shares in the Suez Canal as the
African nation was forced to raise money to pay off its debts. And In 1882 Egypt
became a protectorate of Great Britain after British troops occupied land surrounding
the Suez Canal in order to secure the vital trade route, and the passage to India.
In Victorian era social structure also has changed, Middle class society has
arise so in 1884 the Fabian Society was founded in London by a group of middle
class intellectuals, including Quaker Edward R. Pease, Havelock Ellis, and E. Nesbit,
to promote socialism. George Bernard Shaw and H. G. Wells would be among many
famous names to later join this society.
But the effects of industrialization and modernity not always have a good
effect for society at that time. The rapid industrialization destroyed many of
farmlands which caused many farmers unemployed and lost their lands. For the
result at that time appear many of slums area in London, because of the slums and
poverty, numbers of crime and criminals also rise. In 1887 tens of thousands of
people, many of them socialists or unemployed, gathered in Trafalgar Square to
demonstrate against British coercion in Ireland. Metropolitan Police Commissioner
Sir Charles Warren ordered armed soldiers and 2,000 police constables to respond.
Rioting broke out, hundreds were injured and two people died. This event was
The criminal record at that time has arise too because of the bad effect of modernization; because modernity makes slums area and poverty arise, The serial
killer known as Jack the Ripper murders and mutilates five (and possibly more)
prostitutes on the streets of London in 1888. This event represent the raise of crime
in society because of the effect of rapid industrialization at that time so it appears
slums, poverty, unemployment and crime.
1870 – 1891 Under the Elementary Education Act 1870 basic State Education
becomes free for every child under 13. This event represents the raise of the
importance of education at that time. The effect of industrialization and modernity
makes education became necessary and must.
From the events above, we know the situation during the Victorian era at that
time. From the explanations, we can imagine about social-condition, development of
technology, effects of those development (social structure, social condition, beliefs,
points of view,etc).
4. Christian Icons
According to Signs and Symbols in Christian Art by George Ferguson (Oxford University Press, New York 1954):
a. Crucifix :
is a representation of Christ on the Cross. From the word rood, the alternate
English name for crucifix.
b. Host/Communion wafer :
is a flat round piece of unleavened bread which celebrant concretes at the
Its name derived from the latin word ‘Hostia’ meaning victim or sacrifice especially when shown with the chalice upon the cross
C. Theoretical Framework
According to Merriam Webster’s Encyclopaedia of Literature symbol is
“symbolist works nonetheless had strong and lasting influence on much British and
American Literature.” The term “icon” also in Merriam Webster’s Encyclopaedia of
Literature is a “word or a word of graphic symbols including the arrangement of images or the use of figures of speech such as metaphor.” In Dracula I think lots of icons, character or events can symbolize something. So I use the theory of symbol to
know what the meaning behind those symbolic things.
I use theory of symbols to explain the symbolic events, icons, character,
which related to the story. I use socio cultural background to lead the reader to
understand the situation during the events in the novel occurred, so that reader can
understand the symbolic meaning behind the events or condition at that time which
related in purpose of my thesis.
The socio-cultural study from Glencoe Literature (Glencoe/McGraw Hill
Companies, United States 1976), “The Victorian encompassed years of
unprecedented economic and technological and political expansion & dramatic social change. to help me know more about the social condition at Victorian era at that time, and the social condition in British at that time.
The review of related theories itself divided into two sections; first is theory
of character, the second one is theory of symbols and socio-cultural background and
their function to lead the reader to know more about the information which stated in
my thesis.
To answer the first problem formulation, I use theory of character to reveal
the evilness of Dracula. I use this theory to reveal the evilness of Dracula so that
readers can understand more briefly the evilness that Dracula did in the story.
To answer the second problem formulation, I use theory of symbols and
relate it with socio-cultural study to understand the social condition at that time,
theory of symbols here is use to understand the meaning behind the events. The
events there should be symbolize something related to the story. That is why theory
of symbols is use and really related to the socio-cultural theory.
To answer the third problem formulation, I use the additional information of
Catholic Icons which I already stated above. The additional information will explain
about the description of Catholic icons and what the function of those Catholic icons
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
This chapter discusses about the methodology that is related to this study.
This chapter consists of three sections. They are object of study, approach of the
study, and method of study. Object of study discusses about the focus of my analysis.
Approach of the study deals with theories in analyzing the novel. The last part is
method of study which described about the steps in analyzing the novel.
A. Object of the Study
The object that is analyzed in this study is Dracula. It is a gothic genre novel written by Bram Stoker. I use the novel from Penguin books edition which published
by Penguin group; published in 1994.The novel itself has 448 pages and divided into
27 chapters
Dracula was first published in June 1897. From the gothic genre novels, Dracula is one of the most famous horror novels that shocking the world of literature.
From literary criticism, some critics agreed that Dracula is the greatest achievement and the masterpiece from Bram Stoker. The original title from the novel is ‘The
un-dead’, and Dracula has been printed many times, over and over again all over the world. Dracula instantly become a bestseller and was sold worldwide and printed in
many languages worldwide. Critics also agreed that it is the most famous horror
novel ever. Dracula has sold copies for hundred years until now.
There are also hard covers and paper cover edition that makes the books more
interesting to read and makes many people believes that this book is a best seller in
the world. No wonder Dracula has become the greatest achievement from its author Bram Stoker.
Dracula also re-made in film adaption in November 13 1992 by Sony Pictures. Starred Keanu Reeves (Harker), Gary Oldman (Vlad Dracula), Winona
Rider (Mina), etc. produced by Francis Ford Coppola. The movie itself has runtime
128 minutes and rated R for sexuality and horror violence. The movie budget was
$40,000,000 and reached worldwide making $215,862,692, while in U.S box office
$82,522,790. The movie also got many awards for it, Won 3 Oscars, Another 7 wins
& 12 nominations. The awards for this film are come from: ASCAP Film and
Television Music Awards in 1993 (ASCAP award)
,
Academy Awards, USA in 1993(Oscar award), Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA in
1993(Saturn award), BAFTA Awards in 1994 (BAFTA film award), Fotogramas de
Plata award in 1994, Hugo Awards in 1993,
and MTV movie award in 1993.
The
movie was transferred into VHS video and DVD and translated in manylanguages too.
The story itself is about Vlad Dracul, a Dracula, who tries to enter the
Victorian society to spread a disease (bits people and turn them into vampire). He
met Jonathan Harker; an English solicitor or lawyer. He finally realize that Jonathan
Harker’s fiancée, Mina, is very looks like his previous long lost lover, Elizabeth.
With his efforts, Dracula tries to spread the disease in England. But his efforts
are blocked with a doctor, philosopher and metaphysician, Dr. Van Helsing. With his
student, Dr. Seward he tries to find the cure for those Dracula’s victims. Not only
and kills the Dracula and make the society safe from vampire disease again. The
story itself takes settings in London, England at Victorian age and Carpathian,
Transylvania Eastern Europe.
B. Approach of the Study
For approach of this study I use Handbook of critical approaches to literature
by Wilfred Guerin. In this book I found that the approach that can be applied in this
study is exponential approach.
According to Guerin, the basic definition of approach is that a work is meant to communicate an idea by its author, when they create a work, they choose the tools
by which they transfer the idea. Among the tools, which are symbols and images
(1979: 195 – 203).
In Handbook of critical approaches to literature, Guerin divided literary approaches into six categories. There are traditional approaches, formalistic
approach, psychological approach, mythological and archetypal approach,
exponential approach, and other approach (1979: vii – xi).
According to types of approach above, I use exponential approach because
exponential approach is also called as symbolic approach. Exponential approach
studies the meaning of the story by the following exponents that take form of words,
ideas, images, actions personalities and symbols. The method is designated as the
exponential approach because of the exclusiveness of that term suggests at once the
several meanings of motif, image, symbol, and archetype (1979: 197).
I use exponential approach because I think the author wants to tell something
It is related in what Guerin states “the exponential approach is related to the words,
object, and people that represent or symbolize the pattern” (1979: 197).
The exponential approach in this study to find the symbols in the symbolize
actions, Catholic icons, things, objects, and beliefs, in the story
C. Method of the Study.
The object of study that I want to analyze is the symbols and icons in Bram
stoker’s Dracula. I use library research to support my thesis, I use books, internet source and journals to support my thesis
The primary source are the novel Bram stoker’s Dracula, Literature:
Structure, Sound and Sense by Laurence Perrine to analyze the symbols, and Signs and Symbols in Christian Art by George Ferguson to analyze the Catholic icons,
Handbook of critical approaches to literature by Wilfred Guerin to analyze the approach, Merriam Webster’s Encyclopaedia of Literature and Cassel’s
Encyclopaedia of World Literature for the definition of terms of symbols, Glencoe Literature by Glencoe/McGraw Hill Companies, An Introduction to Fiction by Robert Stanton, and others.
The secondary sources are come from internet source, websites and journals.
www.ucs.mun.ca, www.imdb.com, www.classicnote.com are the sites where I take
the source from. Critics, comments, suggestion and journals are become my ground
to take the information from them.
There are several steps to analyze this thesis; first step is reading and
understanding deeply about the novel Bram stoker’s Dracula, the second step is to
behaviour and the next step is to find the references and collect the information that
are needed to reveal the meaning of symbols and icons in the story. The last step is to
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
This chapter discusses the analysis that I want to analyze for this story. This
chapter consists of three sections. They are the description of evilness of Dracula in
the story, the events in the story that symbolizing something, and the analysis of the
symbolic Catholic icons from the events in the story. The description of the evilness
of Dracula is about the explanation of the Dracula’s evilness in the story so that the
reader can understand the evilness of Dracula in story briefly. Further analysis is for
deeper understanding of events, signs, symbols, etc, by analyzing some part from the
novel.
The second part of the analysis is about the analysis about the consequence of
modernity in the novel and the meaning of symbolize events that describe the
arrogance of modernity in the story. I divided this part into three points to describing
the arrogance of modernity and scientific thoughts in the story that can be show as
symbolic events to more about how that modernity cannot solve the supernatural
matter in the story.
The third part of the analysis is about the use of Christian icons in the novel
as the symbol of Christian salvation. This sub- chapter, I divided into two parts
according to religious icon that are use in the story, and how those icons are used,
and the function and the meaning of the symbols.
A. The description of evilness of Dracula
The object that is analyzed in this study is Dracula. It is a gothic genre novel
written by Bram Stoker. I use the novel from Penguin books edition which published
by Penguin group; published in 1994.The novel itself has 448 pages and divided into
27 chapters
Dracula was first published in June 1897. From the gothic genre novels, Dracula is one of the most famous horror novels that shocking the world of literature.
Dracula or vampires has become most famous folklores in many countries;
like China, India, until Incan empire. The character of Dracula in this novel itself was
made by Stoker inspired by Eastern European story; the legend of Wallachia, Vlad
Tepes. Vlad Tepes also known as ‘Dracula’ or the son of Dracul. He was a fifteenth
century Christian nobleman who fought against the Turks. Vlad Tepes was also
legendary for his cruelty to Moslems and other Christian’s enemies. He was a
defender for his country and religion. From this legend Stoker was inspired to take
this story for his character in his novel ‘Dracula’.
According to An approach in English Literature, Van De Laar states that the author creates a character according his own imagination and actual life. His own
creative imagination maybe paramount, the characters must always in some way be
taken from actual life (De Laar, 1963: 165).
Yet, however many characters in a novel may be like actual human beings,
they are not actual human beings. They only exist in the novel in which they have a
function. This naturally leads us to the significance of novelist’s experience of life
and his powers of re-fashion and re-creation so that the characters can function as a
1963: 165-166)
Count Dracula is a Transylvanian nobleman; he declared that he comes from
great and glorious races. In chapter III count tells the story about his race “We
Szekelys have a right to be proud, for in our veins flows the blood of many brave
races who fought as the lion fights; for the lordship... The warlike days are over.
Blood is too precious thing in these days of dishonourable peace; and the glories of
the great races are as tale that is told” (p.41).
In Understanding Unseens, M.J. Murphy stated that character can be defined as Protagonist and Antagonist. Protagonist is the character at the center of the plot.
We consider protagonist as the hero or the central character in a novel. An
Antagonist is the character in conflict with the Protagonist. The Antagonist or villain
is the one who attempts to foil the hero’s plans, the one who goes out of his way to
soil his good name and ruin his reputation and who also tries to win from the hero’s
woman who is the object of his affections (1973: 157-159).
The characteristic of Dracula according to Stoker are: he possesses a dark and
evil soul. He can change into the form of an animal, control the weather, and he is
stronger than twenty men. However his powers are limited, for instance, he cannot
enter a victim’s home unless invited, cannot cross water unless carried, and he is
powerless by daylight. The evidence in the novel can be found in my further
analysis.
Blood has become the most important element in the story. Like I stated
before in previous explanation, Dracula came from great races who fought and
conquered the other races, the thirst-blood races to conquered for their pride, nobility
strength alive; blood as a function to extend the body fluid but soulless. Dracula
needs blood to keep alive. He bits people and turn them as a vampire. This event
represent that Dracula wants to continue his glorious age from his noble races to
conquered all of the races including human. He spread the disease and turn people
into vampire is for making his evil army to conquer the human race; to gain his
victory and give back the glorious moment that he once had long time ago.
Unconsciously, vampires have become part of Dracula’s race. They bit
people and turn them into another vampire. That event represents the conqueror of
Dracula’s race to human race. Dracula moved to London society because he thinks
that modern society is an easy prey for his race. Modernity makes western society
cannot deal with supernatural power. He knows that modernity has its limitation to
reveal the supernatural power. Dracula also sure that with his evil supernatural power
he cannot be defeat by modernity.
The superior race of the evil of Dracula breaks the arrogance of men. His
superior race destroyed the arrogance of Modernity which modernity cannot answer
and reveal the mystery of his evil power which make their modernity, science and
technology collapse.
Dracula declares that his superior race is meant to conquer the human race
“.... is it a wonder that we were a conquering race; that we were proud...” (p.41).
Dracula breaks all the arrogance of human’s science and technology and proves that
great power of evil is still exist; his great power, his brave heart that is more brave
than any other men, his cleverness and precise brain, and his long centuries un-dead
he studied of other languages and cultures, and new science makes him mastering all
“... he was in life a most wonderful man. Soldier, Statesman, and alchemist – which latter was the highest development of the science-knowledge of his time. He had mighty brain, a learning beyond compare, and heart that knew no fear and no remorse. .... and there was no branch of knowledge of his time that he did not essay.” (p.359-360)
The story itself focuses on how Dracula spread the disease to London society.
How he bits people and turn them to vampires. The evidence started on how Dracula
bits Lucy Westenra; Mina’s best friend and Arthur Holmwood’s fiancée.
She was dead because of run out of blood, when she already dead, she back
from her dead, comes alive and become bloodsucking vampire.
“... You think then that those so small holes in the children’s throats were made by the same that made the hole in Miss Lucy?’ -I suppose so.’ -He stood up said solemnly ‘then you are wrong. Oh, would it were so! But alas! No. It is worse, far, far worse. .... ‘They were made by Miss Lucy!” (p. 232).
This evidence explained how Dracula bits people and turns them into
bloodsucking vampires. It also symbolizes how the evil power possessed pure soul
into evil power; changed her from innocent soul into evil vampire.
After Lucy’s dead and her transformation into bloodsucking vampire, Van
Helsing has a theory about the evilness of Dracula; “... here is some dual life that is
not as the common. She was bitten by the vampire when she was in trance,
sleepwalking; ....and in trance could he best come to take more blood. In trance she
died, and in trance she is Un-dead too.” (P.241). this line is the evidence how Lucy
turn into vampires after Dracula bits her. Van Helsing also has a way to kill the
demonic form of Lucy; “I must kill her in her sleep.... ‘I shall cut off her head and fill
out her mouth with garlic, and shall drive a stake through her body” (p.241).
Before they chased and fight Dracula, Van Helsing explain what kind of
using modernity of science and technology at that time; “There are such beings as
vampires; some of us have evidence that they exist.
“... the nosferatu do not die like the bee when he sting once. He is only stronger; and being stronger, have yet more power to work evil. This vampire which is amongst us is of himself so strong in person of twenty men; he is cunning more than mortal. ‘....and all the dead that he can come nigh to are for him at command; he is brute, and more than brute; he is devil in callous” (p.283).
The evilness of Dracula is related with the power that he can do. Like the
explanation in the beginning of this chapter, Dracula claims that he came from the
superior race that makes him a conqueror. With his power he claimed that he is a
superior race among human;
”....he can, within limitation , appear at will when and where, and in any forms that are to him; he can within his range, direct the elements: the storm, the fog, the thunder; he can command all the meaner things: the rat, and the owl, and the bat-the moth, and the fox, and the wolf; he can grow and become small; and he can at times vanish and come unknown”(p.283).
From the analysis and explanation above, it can be seen the evilness of
Dracula from what power that he able to and what can he do to the society; the
supernatural power that breaks the arrogance of modernity of science and logic.
B. Symbolic events in the story
In this section, I try to explain the connection between events in the story and
the symbolic meaning behind those events; which want to be told by the author,
Bram Stoker, from his novel Dracula.
I divided this sub-chapter into three parts; first part is explaining about the
society, the second part is explaining about the arrogance of scientific and modernity
which symbolize as the arrogance of western civilization to deal with supernatural
and evil power of Dracula; the third part is about their failure of modernity to deal
with supernatural and evil power of Dracula which symbolize as the collapse of the
arrogance of their scientific and modern thought.
According to Mary Rohrberger and Samuel H. Woods in Reading and
Writing about Literature,
“Sometimes an author uses symbols in characters, places, actions, objects and details. Through these things the author tries to give a concrete reality toward invisible things so that the meaning can be visible” (Rohrberger and Woods 1971:18)
From the explanation above, symbols can be revealed by reading the story
and looking for the connection between events, character, symbolic things, and icons
with the story. In here Bram Stoker uses events, behaviour of the characters, things,
place and setting, to hide the symbolic meaning from those symbolic things. With
many theories I have written in previous chapters, I try to relate and reveal the
meaning of those symbolic things with those theories.
1. The symbolic event on the invasion of Supernatural power in Modern society
The chaotic condition caused from Dracula’s evil power represents the
invasion of Supernatural power in modern society. It was proved in how the
characters in the story cannot understand and find the answers on Lucy’s illness. This
is the symbolic event represent the threat of modern society by supernatural power.
why the technology that develops so fast at that time makes people so arrogance
about their science and logic. It was proved on the sceptical feeling of the characters
in the story on the legends, folklores and superstitious. At Victorian age, technology
and science develop so fast, from machinery, theories, medical, etc. One greatest
influence is the theory from Charles Darwin in 1859 called “the origin of species”
which makes the religious doubts among people at that time. The theory which
explains the origin of human form came from the result of the evolution of ape
thousands years ago, break the religious belief that believes that human came from
God and came to the world after banished from the Garden of Eden. This theory
really influenced the sceptical behaviour for religious belief.
Modernity has become a prey for Supernatural power from Dracula’s evil
power. From the story, it is obvious that the lack of modernity at that time is the
disbelief of any supernatural power that exist; the arrogance of science, theories and
logic, break the religious beliefs and forgetting the promise of salvation in religious
belief. Modernity also kills the folklore’s belief about how to protect them from evil
power; which later in the story proves effective for the protection against Dracula.
The story takes place in London at Victorian era. According to Glencoe
Literature (Glencoe/McGraw Hill Companies, United States 1976), “The Victorian
encompassed years of unprecedented economic and technological and political expansion & dramatic social change.
- Britain peaked in influence as the world power the British Empire covered about quarter of the world’s area and population, reaching into Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Asia.
- A growing social consciousness stirred reforms, public health acts established, local control over water sewage and other public health matters. In 1891 free grammar schools established.
From the quotation above, we can describe how the situation during that time
at Victorian era. Modernity has become a part of social lifestyle; technology and
science advances at that time. In 1851 The Great Exhibition (the first World's Fair) is
held in the Crystal Palace, with great success and international attention. It means at
that time the technology and industrialization develop so fast at that time. In the story
we can see in how Mina practices typewriting on a newfangled machine;
And Dr. Seward records his diary on a phonograph. These two people
represent the social condition at that time to technology and modernity that develop
so fast.
Besides the modernity of technology, at that time also develop the modern
thinking and idea. It means that at that time theories and new ideas of inventions are
develops rapidly. In 1859 Charles Darwin publishes "The Origin of Species", which
leads to great religious doubt and insecurity. I think this was the greatest influenced
of the religious doubts to society and it make the disbelief in religious foundation.
Another condition in social condition at that time is the development of
education grade. In 1870 – 1891 Under the Elementary Education Act 1870 basic
State Education becomes free for every child under 13. This event represents the
raise of the importance of education at that time. The effect of industrialization and
modernity makes education became necessary and must.
But the effects of industrialization and modernity not always have a good
epidemic. That event means that the decrease of human sanitation and hygiene. That
event may caused by the rapid industrialization which caused air pollution, water
pollution which has terrible effects for society. The rapid industrialization also
destroyed many of farmlands which caused many farmers unemployed and lost their
lands. For the result at that time appear many of slums area in London, because of
the slums and poverty, numbers of crime and criminals also rise.
In 1888 the serial killer known as Jack the Ripper murders and mutilates five
(and possibly more) prostitutes on the streets of London.
For the brief explanation to know the situation during Victorian era,
According to Glencoe Literature (Glencoe/McGraw Hill Companies, United States
1976), “The Victorian encompassed years of unprecedented economic and technological and political expansion & dramatic social change.
- Britain peaked in influence as the world power the British Empire covered about quarter of the world’s area and population, reaching into Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Asia.
- People referred England as ‘Workshop of the World’. A strong middle class arose, and its rigid standards and moral tone defined the age unfortunately as material and technological advances multiplied, so did congestion, slums, and exploited middle class.
- A growing social consciousness stirred reforms, public health acts established, local control over water sewage and other public health matters. In 1891 free grammar schools established.
The relation of this modernity and this story is that Bram Stoker wants to
criticize the arrogance of human for their theories and technology that they created.
The character Dracula in this story was proved cannot be vanished and destroyed by
advanced technology at that time. Bram Stoker wants to emphasize that even
2. The symbolic events on the failure of modernity to fight the evil power In the story proves that Dracula only feared of Christian icons like crucifix,
Holy Communion wafer, and other holy objects. In the story proves also that Dracula
dislikes white garlic. Those items are not related to technology at all.
According to Laurence Perrine in Literature: Structure, Sound and Sense, to
define symbols there are several things to be considered:
a. The story itself must furnish a clue that a detail is to be taken symbolically. The
symbols always signal their existence through emphasis, repetition, or position.
In the absence of such signal. The reader should be reluctant to identify an idea
as symbolical. (1974:214)
b. The meaning of literary symbol must be established and supported by the entire
context of the story. The symbol has its meaning in the story, not outside it
(1974:214)
c. To be called symbol, an item must suggest a meaning different in kind from its literal meaning or in other words, a symbol is something more than the
representative of class or type. (1974:215)
d. A symbol may have more than one meaning. It may suggest a cluster of
meaning that controlled by the context of the story. (1974:215)
I use those steps to search the symbols in the story and understand the
meaning behind the events or the characteristic from the character to reveal the
symbols in the story.
These events reflected in the story when Van Helsing tries to reveal what
cause of Lucy’s disease. After the diagnosis from Dr. Seward, Dr. Seward gave Lucy
not effective, to cure Lucy’s illness. So, Dr. Van Helsing has an idea that might
responded sceptical by Dr. Seward.. He tries to give Lucy some protection from
Dracula, so he gave her white garlic. But that action was responded by some doubts
and sceptical.
“whilst he was speaking, Lucy had been examining the flowers and smelling them. Now she threw them, saying, with half-laughter and half-disgust: oh professor, I believe you are only putting up a joke on me. Why, these flowers are only common garlic,” (p.159).
Even a man like Van Helsing a philosopher and metaphysician, and one of
the most advanced scientists of his day admit that Dracula’s power cannot be
defeated by science and technology; and his opinion were doubted by the people
around him.
It is one of the prove of the arrogance of humanity for their knowledge,
theories and technology; The arrogance of western civilization to non-western
legends and folklore’s remedies.
“We went into room, taking the flowers with us. The professor’s action were certainly odd, and not to be found in any Pharmacopoeia that I ever heard of. First he fastened up the windows, and latched them securely; next, taking a handful of flowers, he rubbed them all over the sashes, ....
‘Well, Professor, I know you have a reason for what you do, but this certainly puzzles me. It is well we have no sceptic here, or he would say that you were working some spell to keep out an evil spirit.
‘Perhaps I am! ‘he answered quietly as he began to wreath which Lucy was to wear round her neck. (p.159-160).
From that quotation, it is obvious that Dr. Seward has a doubt about Van
Helsing’s unpredictable behaviour. As a doctor, Dr. Seward is a person with a lot of
scientific and logic theories. He has doubt and sceptical thinking about what Van
symbolize the arrogance of their idea about all of their knowledge of scientific and
modern theories. From the beginning of this chapter, there is an explanation about
the condition and situation during that time –Victorian era- ; with all the arrogance of
development of science and technology that human can achieve.
Like several things which develops, medical also develop so fast at that time.
From medicine, surgery, and the most advanced technique at that time, blood
transfusion. All of that modernity proves useless in fighting the evil power of
Dracula.
Later in the story, finally characters in the story realize that to defeat Dracula
they have to open their mind to tradition and superstitious thing. After all of those
tragedy, they finally start to accept all of the possibilities ways to defeat Dracula;
including to use non-scientific things like eastern folklore, and Christian icons which
symbolize protection against evil, purification of soul from the evil, and salvation.
“All we have to go upon are traditions and superstitions. These do not at first appear much, when the matter is one of life and death – nay, of more than life or death. Yet we must be satisfied; in the first place because we have to be – no other means is at our control – and secondly, because, after all these things –tradition and superstition- are everything. Does not belief in vampires rest for others – though not, alas! For us - on them? A year ago which of us would have received such a possibility, in the midst of our scientific, sceptical, matter-of-fact nineteenth century? We even scouted a belief that we saw justified under our very eyes”. (p.285)
The scene describes, how their arrogance of modernity finally collapses after
all of the supernatural events that they had. They realize for taking all of the
possibility to defeat Dracula. They finally realize that supernatural and evil power
only can be defeat by taking non-modern method from eastern folklore and beliefs
is more useful in fighting Dracula; garlic be represented in folklore’s traditional
beliefs, while Crucifix and Communion wafers be represented in Christian icons.
3. The symbolic events on the failure of advanced medical science to cure Lucy’s illness
The diagnosis of Lucy’s illness by Dr. Seward cannot reveal the answer about
the lost of blood in Lucy’s body. Then to save Lucy’s life, he and Dr. Van Helsing
try to make blood transfusion for Lucy. The scene in the story appears when Dr. Van
Helsing and Dr. Seward try to do the blood transfusion for Lucy. In this era, blood
transfusion becomes the most advanced technique in medical science. This way was
found useless to cure Lucy’s illness. Even the best doctor and philosopher at that
time, Dr. Van Helsing, cannot do anything for Lucy’s illness.
“Then for the first time in my life, I saw Van Helsing break down. He raised his hands over his head in sort of despair, and then beat his pals together in helpless way; finally he sat down on chair, and putting his hands before his face, began to sob, with loud, dry sobs that seemed to come from the very tacking of his heart. Then he raised his arms again, as through appealing the whole universe.’ God! God! God! ‘He said. ‘What have we done, what has this poor thing done, that we are so sore beset? Is there fate amongst us still, sent down from pagan world of old, that such things must be, and in such way? .... ‘how are all the powers of devils against us!...(p.162–163)
Luckily, Van Helsing is a metaphysician too, so he has open minded thought
about all of the supernatural things. His thought about evil power that cannot be
defeated by modernity and advanced technique was right.
