Personification in Dracula by Bram Stoker Essay Example

Introduction

Personification allows a reader to compare non-human objects to human attributes. The personality traits that are used to represent characters allow the reader to have a deeper understanding of each character’s role and personality. Since several characters can be described in one word, the reader is able to relate and empathize with the characters effortlessly. The work Dracula by Bram Stoker enables readers to detect major personality traits actualized in key characters. 

Personification of Evil in Bram Stoker's Dracula

Dracula is the personification of evil in the book Dracula. Dracula uses his freedom and abilities without limits and wrong morally.  He causes the deaths of several characters throughout the novel. He causes the death of Lucy by transforming her into a vampire.  He kills a child in Transylvania by giving it to other vampires and kills the child’s mother. He kills several men on the boat Demeter when he heads to London.  He killed the man who helped him return to Transylvania. He scares Lucy’s mother to death. Lastly, he causes the death of Quincey Morris--a main character. 

Moreover, Dracula also represents evil because he is not allowed to touch religious items. Dracula is pushed away by crucifixes on several occasions. Dracula does not come close to any crosses or crucifixes throughout the novel. The crosses act as a barrier Dracula cannot cross. Dracula also cannot be around communion wafers. Dracula is not able to sleep in the dirt the has been purified by communion wafers.  

Furthermore, Dracula is a supernatural entity and supernatural beings are often thought of as evil. Dracula is known to have lived hundreds of years. Dracula drinks the blood of living humans to survive. He is able to turn other people into vampires and has the ability to control lower lifeforms. He is weak during the daylight and powerful at night which matches with the concepts of the dark is evil and light is good. Dracula’s reflection is not seen in any mirrors because he does not have a soul like a human. Lastly, Dracula turned to ashes upon his death.

Van Helsing is Personification of Wisdom in Dracula Book Bram Stoker

Unlike Dracula, Van Helsing is a character in Dracula that represents wisdom. His past before the start of the book shows how wise he was. Van Helsing is a professor from New Amsterdam and has been for several years. Van Helsing has amassed knowledge from several different fields such as religion, fold remedies, science, and philosophy. He has knowledge of several types of medical procedures such as blood transfusions and surgery.  

Additionally, Van Helsing shows wisdom on several occasions throughout the plot of the novel. Van Helsing figured out Lucy was becoming a vampire quickly. Van Helsing attempted to save Lucy by surrounding her neck with garlic. He convinces Dr. Seward that Lucy has become a vampire during a time of science. Van Helsing teaches the other characters of the novel about vampires. Van Helsing plays a large role in planning attacks against Dracula.  

Quincey Morris' Sacrifice in Dracula Novel

In contrast, Morris is the character who makes the biggest sacrifice in the novel. Quincey dies in the fight against Dracula to protect the other characters. Morris did not want Dracula to kill anyone else he cared for so he was willing to prevent Dracula’s escape. He wanted to prevent Mina from turning into a vampire and he wanted justice for Lucy. Quincey Morris’s sacrifice was not wasted because the other characters were able to kill Dracula. Mina and Jonathan appreciated Quincey’s sacrifice so much, they named their son Quincey. 

Whereas Quincey Morris symbolizes sacrifice, Arthur Holmwood represents the trait of loyalty in Dracula. Arthur Holmwood was engaged to marry Lucy and was by her side when he heard she was sick. Holmwood stayed loyal to Lucy after her death. Holmwood had no need to fight Dracula but chose to do so because he wanted to get revenge for Lucy.  Arthur worked with the other men who proposed to Lucy to get justice which shows how loyal he was to her. Holmwood did not allow jealousy to stop him from killing Dracula. Holmwood ended Lucy’s vampire life so her soul could find peace in heaven. He was also willing to die to kill Dracula in the name of loyalty.  

Mina Harker Personifies Love in the Work Dracula

Mina stayed absolutely devoted to Jonathan Harker throughout the novel.  Mina went to Budapest to see Jonathan when they were only engaged. Mina gets married to Jonathan in Budapest because she loved him so much. Instead of getting married in London surrounded by friends and family, she married in a hospital. Mina called for Van Helsing to help her husband out of love.  

Similarly, Mina willingly drank Dracula’s blood so that Dracula did not kill her husband. When Mina started to feel ill, she did not let Jonathan know because she did not want him to worry about her. Mina also asked for someone to kill her if she lost control because she did not want to hurt the people she loved. Mina also loved Lucy. Mina did what she could to prevent Lucy from sleepwalking. Mina did not leave Lucy’s side in Whitby until she heard about Jonathan’s brain fever.  

Сonclusion

Mina Harker, Jonathan Harker, Van Helsing, John Seward, and Dracula are characters in the novel Dracula that can be represented in a single word. Their actions, personalities, and abilities can be connected to personality traits. While Van Helsing represents Wisdom for being a knowledgeable professor, Dracula represents evil because of the people he kills and his supernatural abilities. In conclusion, the characters in Dracula that have a personality trait that represents them are better able to be empathized with and understood by readers.