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Analysis Of Bram Stoker 's ' Dracula '

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Bram Stoker’s Dracula was written in 1897. This was a time that the Victorian era and its values were changing and meeting their ends. The male-dominant world was evolving to an equal opportunity society. This meant women were no longer oppressed and limited socially, educationally, economically, or even sexually. The end of the Victorian era also called for growth in technology and medicines. Old ideas were diminishing while new ideas of the world were flourishing. Whether it be the pro femininity, new outlooks, or advances in technological and medicinal aspects, we can find these concepts portrayed in various ways throughout Dracula. At the time Stoker wrote the story, they were new ideas and the first time the certain issues were …show more content…

We see this concept covered in various areas of the story. In Dr. Seward’s diary in chapter XI, he writes, “…the flowers were of medicinal value…What does it all mean? I am beginning to wonder if my long habit of life among the insane is beginning to tell upon my own brain” (Stoker 124). In this entry we have witnessed Dr. Seward continue his ongoing battle to save Lucy from her sickness. During this time he has been unable to derive a proper diagnosis and normal treatment has had no positive effects. He has resorted to old superstitions of leaving garlic flowers and crucifixes in her presence to ward off any evil. We are also introduced to Van Helsing, another doctor, who for Lucys health is repeatedly performing blood transfusions. Yet this is another failing medical practice. The idea that modern science cannot stop this monster and instead he can only be defeated by superstitions and legends, is almost a mock of the Victorian advancements. This is still a relevant topic today. Medical technology and practice is something we as humans are forever going to need. Studying a story in the turning point of that growth gives us knowledge of what beliefs and roots medicine started from. It seems that the story deems medical science to be useless, but we know that is not true. Another relation to modern day is the introduction of new faith the story represents. In the story we see signs of

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