Table of ContentsIntroductionDracula: Gothic ElementsConclusionIntroductionThe opening chapters of Bram Stoker's Dracula set the scene and create a constant sense of fear through a combination of themes that were feared at the time Victorian. Gothic literature was a new and exciting concept to the Victorian Stoics, who were unaccustomed to the overly dramatic mannerisms of Gothic characters and the hyperbolic description used by Gothic writers. The banal style in which Stoker begins Dracula is traditionally in keeping with the attitudes and importances of Victorian society, it immediately shows the paradoxical nature of the novel – between the normal and the supernatural. Stoker creates an atmosphere of fear by introducing what is unknown to the Victorians: people were completely terrified by things they could not understand. Stoker exploits this early on with the unexplained blue flame and the taxi driver's paranormal force. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayDracula: Gothic ElementsStoker begins to slowly build an atmosphere of fear in the first chapter with the introduction of Jonathan Harker, a lawyer completely innocent middle class. he goes on a seemingly harmless business trip, but he goes overseas and here's the first sign that something is wrong. The first sense of mystery is the hot, spicy food which denotes a different culture that the typical Victorian Christian would find unfamiliar and perhaps threatening as it made Harker uncomfortable and he "had to drink all the water...and was still thirsty.” The cultural theme continues with the description of the Slovaks who, at first glance, appear to be wearing a harmless disguise, but unconsciously Harker describes them as "a band of brigands" who, to the Victorian traveler, would pose a potential threat. This darkness is a key element of Gothic fiction and although it interests Harker, it remains mysterious and brings an element of subliminal fear. So far, the content of Jonathan's story has been discreet. In effect, Harker simply records everything he sees, thinks, and does. However, Harker then arrives in Bistritz, not far from the infamous Borgo Pass, by chance on the eve of St. George's Day, a night when "the bad things in the world... rule in full force." Here, Stoker uses real locations and events to create fear and tension because it makes the story more realistic for the reader. Additionally, Bistritz has a terrifying history of "great fires", "three-week siege" and mass deaths due to starvation and death. This creates tension because it indicates that Bistritz may not be a safe place. Then come the warnings from the owner and the local population, in a hysterical state, saying: “Should you go? She then gives him a crucifix saying "For the love of your mother". Obviously, the women know that something bad awaits Harker. Additionally, the crowd in front of the hotel mentions "Satan", "hell", and "the witch" and makes the sign to Jonathan. the evil eye. Stoker leaves the reader in no doubt that with such connotations of the devil, a terrifying fate awaits Harker. As the first chapter progresses, Stoker builds suspense with more and more references to threats that attack the imagination. alluding to the supernatural: when the coachman warns him "you may have enough of these things before you go to bed" and his use of certain language such as "it was evident that something very exciting was...expected” helps build the frightening atmosphere because they suggest that something terrible awaits Jonathan. Examples of pathetic fallacies such as "the oppressive feeling of thunder" and references to the supernatural, including "a flickering blue flame", all create darkness and increase tension. Stoker uses Harker substantially to create an atmosphere of fear. Harker's normality heightened fear as the Victorian public would have understood of him. This would have made the moments where Jonathan "felt a strange thrill and sense of loneliness" much more believable, as it would have been easier for the audience to imagine him realistically. Monstrous animal sounds such as "a dog began to howl" generate horror and the reference to "a hand that grabbed my arm in a steel grip" and "a circle of wolves" is strange and indicates that Harker is overpowered and outnumbered, creating danger. atmosphere. The chapter ends with a reference to the supernatural; the bus driver takes control of the wolves, causing them to retreat. This shocks Harker and the stage is set for Dracula's main characterization in chapter two. Stoker's initial description of Dracula's castle is ominous and dark and produces an eerie atmosphere. He describes an immense door “studded with large iron nails” which evokes an isolated medieval castle on which the Gothic genre was modeled. Stoker uses Harker's naivety to reinforce the fear. Harker calls his journey a "dark adventure" which he says is "a horrible nightmare." It's horrible because Harker inadvertently foreshadows his fate. Harker should be wary of Dracula's hand, which he says looks "more like the hand of a dead man than that of a living man." Instead, he is unconscious and his innocence creates tension, reinforcing fear. Additionally, Dracula's first sign is "the glimmer of impending light." This is ironic because usually, light is the symbol of hope, but in this case, it brings terror instead of hope, thus creating suspense. One of the first clues that Dracula is a hybrid is when he hears the howls of wolves and says "What music they make!" ". It's incredibly scary and wouldn't be considered musical, but for Dracula it's soft music that is unexpected and therefore creates fear. The description of "gold" and "fine fabrics" suggests Dracula's wealth and therefore power. The mention of the furniture being “centuries old, although in excellent condition” suggests that it is never used, which is strange. This is another clue that Dracula doesn't live the typical lifestyle of a count, which is scary. Dracula advises Harker not to venture into certain areas of the castle, suggesting that he "would not wish to go there". This is threatening and suggests that dangerous things are lurking in the castle, which helps create an atmosphere of fear. The description of Dracula's "long, sharp canines" is frightening because it animalizes him, indicating that he is supernatural. It has connotations of a predatory carnivore suggesting that Dracula is very dangerous and attacks other animals (including humans). At the end of the chapter, Harker realizes that Dracula has no reflection because "there was no reflection of him in the mirror." This surprises Jonathan and makes him uncomfortable. However, when Dracula saw the blood on Jonathan's neck, "his eyes shone with a kind of demonic fury" which was quickly overcome when he touched the crucifix. It is incredibly frightening and the reference to the demon suggests that Dracula generates horror from evil. This is also the first appearance of Dracula's demonic alter ego, a key Gothic element that helps evoke fear in the reader. Finally, atAt the end of chapter two, Harker's doubts prevail and he realizes that "the castle is a veritable prison" and that he is a prisoner. Harker realizes that Dracula is a monster and therefore is in danger, which frightens the reader as we feel pity and fear and anxiety for Jonathan who is an innocent victim. Stoker begins to create an atmosphere of fear in chapter three by using gothic opposition. . Harker describes how the crucifix “should be useful in a time of loneliness and difficulty.” Here he fights the good of God against the evil of Dracula. Stoker's novel was not the only late 19th century production to express the sense that a gigantic evil was eroding the self-confidence of Christians and, therefore, the thought of a supernatural monster capable of defying all- power of God, terrified the Victorians. Stoker also animalizes Dracula in this chapter. Harker is careful "not to arouse his suspicions", suggesting that Dracula is a sleeping beast who could become very dangerous. This adds suspense and helps create an atmosphere of fear. Additionally, Harker becomes terrified when he sees the Count "creeping along the castle walls...like a lizard." It's incredible and creates fear because it focuses on the gothic idea of ​​a dominant supernatural creature, evoking horror in the reader. The introduction of vampire brides created fear because their seductive personalities went against traditional views of Victorian society, including the Seven Deadly Sins, one of which was lust. The terror that most consistently haunts Stoker's work is the male fear of sex, but also the desire for it. One of the brides “knelt down and leaned over me gloating” and Jonathan admits he felt a “nasty, burning desire.” This would have shocked the Victorians, many of whom would have been unimpressed, but it would have added suspense. Stoker presents the brides in a very seductive manner to create a tense atmosphere. One of the brides “arched her neck,” “licked her lips,” and “lapped” her teeth. All of these movements resemble feline characteristics suggesting that the brides are sensual and perhaps predatory, generating fear. The use of an oxymoron, "exciting and repulsive", to describe Jonathan's reaction emphasizes the sublime of the supernatural and how they (the supernatural) have immense power over Jonathan. The idea of ​​a more powerful creature terrified the Victorians who believed themselves superior and therefore created an atmosphere of fear. Moreover, the brides are very shocking as they appear as beautiful ladies but all this is just an illusion. The Gothic element of the alter ego would have horrified the Victorians who believed that a woman's most important role was to be a good mother, which she did not manifest. Instead, they become demon-like creatures "with fury" and "rage" and they horribly kill and eat a living baby. This particularly gruesome and gruesome event causes Jonathan to "sink into the unconscious" and creates and horrifies the reader by creating an atmosphere of fear. Interestingly, Stoker adds a homoerotic element when Dracula says "that man belongs to me" in reference to Jonathan. The idea of ​​homosexuality was taboo and created fear because it showed Dracula's dominance over Jonathan who is completely helpless. Stoker also uses the gothic element of female victimization to create fear, but feminizes Harker, the innocent male victim, by overwhelming him and causing him to faint. This weakness evokes fear because it shows how horrible Dracula and the vampire brides are and that even a man cannot handle their action. Keep in mind: this is not.