The story of Dracula takes place within the Victorian Era of England, a time in which society was governed by high social standards of morality and methods of conduct, as well as being characterised by a fear of change and the unknown. The novel highlights these ideas by emphasising through the plotline that people following strict rigours and codes are opening up their society for disaster. Thus, through the fear of the transgression of values and the majority of British society neither comprehending nor following conflicting Eastern values and philosophies , Dracula serves as a warning to societies to be open to the unknown in order to make a positive movement forward in time.
Dracula explores and addresses the anxieties surrounding the societal values and concerns of the Victorian Era through the vehicle of the gothic horror genre. The representation of these values, which were contextually important, illustrates the novel's depth as it is able to encompass such a range of concerns. In society at this time, the motive was not virtue but the appearance of virtue. This is revealed through the flirtatious character of Lucy, whose weaknesses are exploited by Dracula himself. The intense desire to 'cling to Christianity' or to be a model Christian and the general pressure to adopt a noble attitude was contextually important at this time, as was the hypocrisy within society, characterised by the hallmarks of moral pretension and evasion.
Dracula remains consistent in keeping with stereotypical gothic horror genre conventions and focuses on the conflict between the forces of good and evil. Robin Wood stated, "One might say that the true subject of the horror genre is the struggle for recognition of all that our civilisation represses and oppresses," and this is made evident within the novel. Conventions and motifs which are employed by Dracula which are consistent with the gothic horror genre include:
- Dislocation through the use of fragmented structure using more than one narrator, mainly through the use of letters and diary entries within the novel.
-The inclusion of the gothic setting of Dracula's castle.
-The supernatural elements of vampires and werewolves.
-Locations filled with eerie shadows and howling winds.
-The use of 'pathetic fallacy' (weather reflecting the human emotions within the text). In Dracula fog becomes a tangible presence which the Count employs to shield himself from view.
-Sexual taboos, such as the sexuality underpinning the vampiric issues.
-The illustration of female sexuality being a threat to man's autonomy within society
-The entrapment Stoker describes when Jonathan is unable to escape from Transylvania, as well as the mental entrapment experienced by the character, Renfield.
Dracula explores and addresses the anxieties surrounding the societal values and concerns of the Victorian Era through the vehicle of the gothic horror genre. The representation of these values, which were contextually important, illustrates the novel's depth as it is able to encompass such a range of concerns. In society at this time, the motive was not virtue but the appearance of virtue. This is revealed through the flirtatious character of Lucy, whose weaknesses are exploited by Dracula himself. The intense desire to 'cling to Christianity' or to be a model Christian and the general pressure to adopt a noble attitude was contextually important at this time, as was the hypocrisy within society, characterised by the hallmarks of moral pretension and evasion.
Dracula remains consistent in keeping with stereotypical gothic horror genre conventions and focuses on the conflict between the forces of good and evil. Robin Wood stated, "One might say that the true subject of the horror genre is the struggle for recognition of all that our civilisation represses and oppresses," and this is made evident within the novel. Conventions and motifs which are employed by Dracula which are consistent with the gothic horror genre include:
- Dislocation through the use of fragmented structure using more than one narrator, mainly through the use of letters and diary entries within the novel.
-The inclusion of the gothic setting of Dracula's castle.
-The supernatural elements of vampires and werewolves.
-Locations filled with eerie shadows and howling winds.
-The use of 'pathetic fallacy' (weather reflecting the human emotions within the text). In Dracula fog becomes a tangible presence which the Count employs to shield himself from view.
-Sexual taboos, such as the sexuality underpinning the vampiric issues.
-The illustration of female sexuality being a threat to man's autonomy within society
-The entrapment Stoker describes when Jonathan is unable to escape from Transylvania, as well as the mental entrapment experienced by the character, Renfield.
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