Bram Stoker
There was a time when the mention of the word “vampire” would send chills of fear and panic down people’s spines. Today, mention the word to teenagers (mostly girls), and you will likely see them gush about a hunky pale-faced supermodel boy toy of today’s modern vampires. Vampires, as Bram Stoker masterfully detailed them in his 1897 gothic novel ‘Dracula’, are masters of the night, unearthly in their powers, and are dreadful in presence.
The novel runs about in the form of letters by the characters of the story; namely that of Jonathan Harker, his fiancée Mina Murray, and their correspondents. It details the strange happenings that occur in their environment; mysterious deaths, violent animals, and an aura of dread that hangs in the air. All of these occurrences are credited to Count Dracula, whose thirst for blood and suffering are truly terrifying to behold.
But amidst the darkness and chaos of this horror classic, there is a humane side that dwells in the man inside the monster. Dracula, for all his wickedness and spite, still longs to feel the need for love. In this novel, the Dark Prince has shown weakness in his affection for Mina, and forcefully suppresses his thirst for her blood. In the end, with the story closing to see him destroyed, the Count makes a final act of asking forgiveness for his sins, and the forgiveness of those whom he had wronged.
‘Dracula’, Stoker’s greatest masterpiece, was inspired by the life lived by the author himself. Forever in despair and depression in his days, Stoker made good use of his sadness by channeling his emotions into his work. It is one of those rare classics that are born from the raw conflict felt by their authors, with the final product itself being raw and sincere. An honest novel that shows a soul inside every beast, Dracula is a treat to read and a shudder to remember./TE
No comments:
Post a Comment