IndexIntroductionDracula: Gothic ElementsConclusionIntroductionThe opening chapters of Bram Stoker's Dracula create an evocative atmosphere and constantly build the feeling of fear through a combination of themes that were feared in the Victorian era. Gothic literature was a new and exciting concept for the Victorian Stoics, who were unaccustomed to the excessive mannerisms of Gothic characters and the hyperbolic description used by Gothic writers. The worldly style with which Stoker begins Dracula is traditionally in line with the attitudes and priorities of Victorian society and 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 of things they could not understand. Stoker exploits this very early on with the taxi driver's inexplicable blue flame and paranormal strength. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Dracula: Gothic Elements Stoker slowly starts to create an atmosphere of fear in the first chapter with the introduction of Jonathan Harker, a completely innocent middle class lawyer is going on a seemingly harmless business trip but is going all out abroad and here is the first sign that perhaps something is wrong. The first sense of something mysterious is the hot, spicy food denoting 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 non-threatening form of costume but Harker unconsciously refers to them as “a band of brigands” which to the Victorian traveler would represent a potential threat. This darkness is a key element of Gothic fiction and although it interests Harker, it is still mysterious and introduces an element of subliminal fear. So far, the tenor of Jonathan's narrative is low-key. This is because Harker simply records everything he sees, thinks and does. However, Harker then arrives in Bistritz, not far from the infamous Borgo Pass, coincidentally on the eve of St. George's Day, a night when "evil things in the world... have full dominion." Here, Stoker uses real locations and events to create fear and tension as it makes the story more realistic for the reader. Furthermore, Bistritz has a terrifying history of "major fires", "a three-week siege" and mass death from famine and. illness. This creates tension as it indicates that Bistritz may not be a safe place. Then come the warnings from the owner and the local population. The landlady, in a hysterical state, says "Do you have to go?". She then gives him a crucifix saying "For your mother's sake". Clearly the women know that something evil awaits Harker. Additionally, the crowd outside the hotel mentions "Satan", "hell", and "witch" and gives Jonathan the sign of 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 the suspense with more and more references to threats that prey on the imagination by hinting at the supernatural: when the coachman warns him "you might have enough of these things before you go to sleep" and, his use some language like "it was evident that something very exciting was... expected" helps build the fearful atmosphere because they suggest that something terrible awaits Jonathan. Examples of pathetic fallacy such as "the oppressive sense of thunder" and referencesto the preternatural, including the “flickering blue flame,” build darkness and increase tension. Stoker basically uses Harker to create an atmosphere of fear. Harker's normality heightened fear of how Victorian audiences would relate to him. This would have made the moments where Jonathan "felt a strange thrill and a feeling of loneliness" much more believable as it would have been easier for the audience to imagine it realistically. Monstrous animal sounds such as "a dog began to howl" generate horror and the reference to "a hand that gripped my arm in a grip of steel" and "a ring of wolves" is disturbing and indicates that Harker is overwhelmed and outnumbered, creating a threatening atmosphere. atmosphere. The chapter ends with a reference to the supernatural; the bus driver takes control of the wolves, forcing 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 eerie and dark and produces an eerie atmosphere. He describes an immense door "studded with large iron nails" which has the characteristics of an isolated medieval castle from which the Gothic genre was modeled. Stoker uses Harker's naivety to increase fear. Harker calls his journey a “sad adventure” that he says is “a horrible nightmare.” This is terrible because Harker inadvertently foreshadows his fate. Harker should be wary of Dracula's hand which according to him is "more like the hand of a dead man than a living one", instead he is unaware and his innocence creates tension, creating fear. Furthermore, the first sign of Dracula is “the glow of an approaching light.” This is ironic because usually light is the symbol of hope, but in this case it brings terror instead of hope, creating suspense. One of the first clues that Dracula is a hybrid is when he hears the howling of wolves and says "What music they make!". This is incredibly scary and would not be considered musical, but for Dracula it is sweet music that is unexpected and therefore creates fear. The description of “gold” and “beautiful fabrics” suggests Dracula's wealth and therefore power. The mention of the furniture being "centuries old, although in very good order" suggests that it has never been 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 places in the castle suggesting that he "will not wish to go there". This is ominous and suggests that there are dangerous things hidden within the castle, which helps create an atmosphere of fear. The description of Dracula's "long, sharp canine teeth" is scary because it animalizes him by 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 scares Jonathan and makes him feel uncomfortable. However, when Dracula saw the blood on Jonathan's neck "his eyes burned with a kind of demonic fury" that was quickly overcome when he touched the crucifix. This is incredibly scary and the reference to the demon suggests that Dracula is an evil that generates horror. This is also the first appearance of Dracula's demonic alter ego, a key gothic element that helps evoke fear in the reader. At the end of the second chapter, Harker's doubts get the better of him and he realizes that "the castle is a real prison" and he is a prisoner. Harker realizes that Dracula is a monster and is therefore in danger, which scares the reader as we pity and are scared and anxious for Jonathan who is ainnocent victim. Stoker begins to build an atmosphere of fear in chapter three with the use of gothic opposition. . Harker describes how the crucifix “should be of help in a time of loneliness and difficulty.” Here he is fighting the good of God against the evil of Dracula. Stoker's novel was not the only late 19th-century production to record the sense that a gigantic evil was gnawing away at the self-confidence of Christians and so the thought of a supernatural monster capable of challenging God's omnipotence terrified the Victorians. Stoker also animalizes Dracula in this chapter. Harker is careful “not to arouse his suspicions” by suggesting that Dracula is a sleeping beast who could become very dangerous. This adds suspense and helps create an atmosphere of fear. Furthermore, Harker is terrified when he sees the Count “crawling along the castle walls… just like a lizard.” This is incredible and scary because it focuses on the gothic idea of ​​a dominant supernatural creature, evoking horror in the reader. The introduction of vampire brides creates fear because their seductive personality went against traditional views of Victorian society, including the seven deadly sins, one of which was lust. The terror that most persistently haunts Stoker's work is the male fear, yet desire, of sex. One of the brides "knelt down and leaned over me gloating" and Jonathan admits he felt an "evil, burning desire." This would have shocked the Victorians, many of whom would not have been impressed, but it would have added suspense. Stoker presents the brides in a very seductive way to create a tense atmosphere. One of the brides “arched her neck,” “licked her lips,” and “licked” her teeth. All of these movements resemble feline characteristics, suggesting that brides are sensual and possibly predatory, generating fear. The use of an oxymoron, “thrilling and repugnant,” to describe Jonathan's reaction emphasizes the sublime of the supernatural and how they (the supernatural) have immense power over Jonathan. The thought of a more powerful creature terrified the Victorians who believed they were superior and therefore creates an atmosphere of fear. Also the brides are very shocking because they appear like beautiful ladies but it's all 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 they do not show. Instead, they become demon-like creatures “with fury” and “rage” and horribly kill and eat a living child. This particularly gruesome and horrific event causes Jonathan to "sink into unconsciousness" and builds and horrifies the reader by creating an atmosphere of fear. Interestingly, Stoker adds a homoerotic element when Dracula says "this man belongs to me" referring to Jonathan. The idea of ​​homosexuality was taboo and created fear because it showed Dracula's dominance over Jonathan who is completely defenseless. Stoker also uses the Gothic element of female victimhood to create fear, but instead feminizes Harker, the innocent male victim, by overwhelming him and causing him to pass out. This weakness evokes fear as it shows how horrible Dracula and the vampire brides are that even a man cannot handle their action. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Conclusion This brilliant build-up leaves the reader in no doubt that something terrifying and supernatural will happen. The initial introductory chapters develop anxiety in readers as we fear for Harker's life. Stoker's effective use of foreshadowing and pathetic fallacies helps create suspense and fear.