Kristen Senter

12-16-15
AP English
Pierce
Dracula:
The novel Dracula expresses a wide variety of superstitions and Christian-like power. The promise of
Christian salvation becomes very obvious to the reader during the recurring instances when sacred
objects are used in pursuit of killing demon-like characters they meet throughout the book. Van Helsing is
a huge help to everyone with his vast knowledge about Vampires and Christian ethics. This book hangs
in the balance between Christianity and Satanic rule over peoples lives which in turn affects their civil and
moral status on the social ladder.
Dracula serves as the figure of a Satanic morals and becomes an icon for demonic values. The way in
which he presents himself to Jonathan Harker in the book, displays a cunning, sophisticated Count who
by his words can be very manipulative but is deceived by his own physical appearance. Count Dracula
paints a very authentic image of a devilish being due to his pointed ears, fangs, and his hellish red eyes;
not to mention his craving and consumption of blood. Because of his hunger for blood and the fact that
he is able to live forever, puts him at a standstill when it comes to religion. His prolonged life and blood
ritual has prevented him from ever having any type of religious ties on this earth.
Many regular everyday people don't usually heed the superstitious warnings of the locals that still believe
in the supernatural. In doing this we are lead to believe that many have also died due to this irrationality.
Jonathan would be one of many who have not listened to the warnings of the natives. He despite hearing
rumors, still ventured to the Counts home and by effect was mentally scarred. When he came back home
he had also led Dracula right to Mina (unknowingly). Mina was later bitten by Dracula and was also
forced to drink his blood as well. Though thanks to the effort and knowledge of Van Helsing, they had a
chance of beating Dracula and releasing the hold he had over Mina.
All of the legends and stories that Van Helsing draws his logic of supernatural creatures from, suggest
that Vampires can be killed with holy and sacred objects. With the use of holy water, crucifixes, and
garlic the vampires are able to be kept at bay. Two of these items are huge symbolic representations of
Christian churches. Crucifixes are a representation of a cross in which Jesus was crucified on. Holy
water is water that has been blessed by a priest and is used in religious ceremonies like baptism.
Because of these items, any foul (unholy)demon-like creature can be harmed by these objects. This
evidence suggests that there is hope for Christian Salvation in the destruction of demons.