Dracula

Dracula

1. Characters

   • Count Dracula
     • A centuries-old vampire and transylvanian nobleman, Count Dracula inhabits a crumbling castle in the Carpathian Mountains. Beneath a veneer of aristocratic charm, the count possesses a dark and evil soul. He can assume the form of an animal, control the weather and he is stronger than twenty men. Cannot enter a home unless invited, cannot cross water unless carried, and is rendered powerless by daylight.
   • Van Helsing
     • A dutch professor, described by his former pupil as 'a philosopher and metaphysician, and one of the most advanced scientists of his day.' Called upon to cure the ailing Lucy Westenra, his contributions are essential in the fight against Dracula. Unlike his comrades, not blinded by the limitations of Western medicine. He knows this is beyond traditional science and reason. Knowledgeable about vampire folklore, becomes leader of the pack that hunts Dracula.
   • Jonathon Harker
     • A solicitor or lawyer whose firm sends him to Transylvania to conclude a real estate transaction with Dracula. Young and naive, he becomes a prisoner and barely escapes with his life. later emerges as a brave and fearless fighter.
   • Mina Murray
     • Jonathon's fiancee. A practical young woman who works as a school mistress. Eventually becomes Draculas next victim after her friend Lucy. The heroine of the novel, embodying purity, innocence and christian faith- virtues she maintains despite her suffering at the vampire's hands. She is intellingent and resourceful and her research leads Van Helsings men to castle Dracula. 
   • Lucy Westenra
     • Mina's best friend and an attractive vivacious young woman. First to be Dracula's victim. Becomes a vampire which compromises her chastity and virtue and banishes her soul from the land of eternal rest. Determined that such an end is unfit for and english lady of Lucy's caliber, Helsing's crew hunts her down and kills her using vampire slaying ritual which will restore her soul to her body and thus to heaven.
   • John Seward
     • A talented young doctor, formerly Helsing's pupil. Seward is the administrator of an insane asylum not far from Dracula's home in England. Throughout the novel Seward conducts ambitious interviews with one of his patients, Renfield, in order to better understand the nature of life-consuming psychosis. Proposes to Lucy but is rejected. Dedicates himself to her when she falls ill. 
   • Arthur Holmwood
     • Lucy's fiancee. Does whatever it takes for her. Is the first to offer Lucy a blood transfusion, and agrees to kill her demonic form.
   • Quincey Morris
     • A plainspoken American from Texas, another of Lucy's suitors. Brave and good-hearted man, never begrudging Arthur for his success in winning Lucy's hand. Ultimately sacrifices his life in order to rid the world of Dracula.
   • Renfield
     • A patient at Seward's asylum. Invites Dracula into asylum at the end endangering Mina.
   • Mrs. Westenra
     • Lucy's mother. A brittle woman of failing health, inadvertently sabotages her daughter's safety by interfering with Helsing's folk remedies. Dies of shock when a wolf leaps through Lucy's window.

2. Plot

3. Themes