DRACULA

By Bram StokerPublished 1897

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Prince Vlad Tepes, a.k.a. Vlad

the Impaler (1431-1476) is the

model for Count Dracula.

Known for killing 40,000-

100,000 people

Vlad the Impaler was also

called Dracula, which means

“devil” or “Son of the Dragon”

DRACULA THEMES

Gender Roles

Sexuality

Morality--Good vs.

Evil

The “Other”

Drug Addiction

Technology and Modernization

Marriage

GOTHIC FICTION

Role of Architecture

English Gothic writers often associated

medieval buildings with what they saw as a

dark and terrifying period, characterized by

harsh laws enforced by torture, and with

mysterious, fantastic, and superstitious rituals.

GOTHIC FICTION

Setting

The setting of the Gothic novel is a character in itself.

The plot is usually set in a castle, an abbey, a

monastery, or some other, usually religious edifice, and

it is acknowledged that this building has secrets of its

own. It is this gloomy and frightening scenery, which

sets the scene for what the audience should expect.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOTHIC FICTION

Virginal Maiden

Older, Foolish

Woman

Hero

Tyrant/Villain

Stupid Servant

Clowns

Bandits/Ruffians

Clergy

A NOVEL WRITTEN AS A SERIES OF DOCUMENTS. THE USUAL

FORM IS LETTERS, ALTHOUGH DIARY ENTRIES, NEWSPAPER

CLIPPINGS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE SOMETIMES

USED.

Epistolary

Novel