Dracula's Eternal Life
Dracula’s Eternal Life
“You’re under the thrall of the Dark Prince!” This quote is well-known amongst science-fiction fans today; it comes from the popular television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, when Buffy battles none other than the Count Dracula himself. As David J. Skal says in his book Screams of Reason: Mad Science and Modern Culture, “[Dracula] is paradoxically driven by the same dreams and frustrations as the fictional heroes and their real-life readers” (Skal 23). Because he has the same dreams, desires and (to a certain extent) needs as his audience, he remains easily relatable to this day.
Dracula holds a fairly obvious place in pop culture, and its continued popularity and prevalence over the generations since its publication show that Bram Stoker’s characters, monsters, and message still ring true with a modern audience. Stoker designed characters and wrote about issues that remain relevant today: Dracula’s desire to improve his station, the gap between the rich/powerful and the poor/common, and the characters’ sexuality.
Dracula desires nothing so much as he desires to be an Englishman, or at least to fit into the role of an Englishman. He says that he would find himself
content if I am like the rest, so that no man stops if he sees me, or pause in his speaking if he hear my words…I have so long been master that I would be master still─or at least that none other should be master of me. (Stoker 30)
Dracula views England as a step up for him─in Transylvania he already rules, but to go there and achieve rule would be even better. He has learned English even though he has never heard it spoken, and Jonathan Harker fascinates him. Harker represents exactly what Dracula strives to become. He even goes so far as to steal Harker’s clothes (53).
This “grass-is-greener” mentality is a major part of modern society. It appears to be one of the major tenets of American economy, for example.
“You’re under the thrall of the Dark Prince!” This quote is well-known amongst science-fiction fans today; it comes from the popular television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, when Buffy battles none other than the Count Dracula himself. As David J. Skal says in his book Screams of Reason: Mad Science and Modern Culture, “[Dracula] is paradoxically driven by the same dreams and frustrations as the fictional heroes and their real-life readers” (Skal 23). Because he has the same dreams, desires and (to a certain extent) needs as his audience, he remains easily relatable to this day.
Dracula holds a fairly obvious place in pop culture, and its continued popularity and prevalence over the generations since its publication show that Bram Stoker’s characters, monsters, and message still ring true with a modern audience. Stoker designed characters and wrote about issues that remain relevant today: Dracula’s desire to improve his station, the gap between the rich/powerful and the poor/common, and the characters’ sexuality.
Dracula desires nothing so much as he desires to be an Englishman, or at least to fit into the role of an Englishman. He says that he would find himself
content if I am like the rest, so that no man stops if he sees me, or pause in his speaking if he hear my words…I have so long been master that I would be master still─or at least that none other should be master of me. (Stoker 30)
Dracula views England as a step up for him─in Transylvania he already rules, but to go there and achieve rule would be even better. He has learned English even though he has never heard it spoken, and Jonathan Harker fascinates him. Harker represents exactly what Dracula strives to become. He even goes so far as to steal Harker’s clothes (53).
This “grass-is-greener” mentality is a major part of modern society. It appears to be one of the major tenets of American economy, for example.