Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” and Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”, Essay Example

The following quotes give insight into the character of Count Dracula:

“Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!” Seeing, I suppose, some expression in my face strange to him, he added, “Ah, sir, you dwellers in the city cannot enter into the feelings of the hunter.” (Stoker, 19)

The Count says this when he hears the wolves howling outside the castle. It tells the reader immediately something about him.

“Take care,” he said, “take care how you cut yourself. It is more dangerous that you think in this country.” (Stoker, 26)

The Count says this to Jonathan Harker when he sees Harker cut himself. Again, it tells the reader about the Count’s fascination with blood.

“Let me advise you, my dear young friend. Nay, let me warn you with all seriousness, that should you leave these rooms you will not by any chance go to sleep in any other part of the castle. It is old, and has many memories, and there are bad dreams for those who sleep unwisely. Be warned! Should sleep now or ever overcome you, or be like to do, then haste to your own chamber or to these rooms, for your rest will then be safe.” (Stoker, 34)

The Count gives this warning to Harker before going out hunting for the evening. Though Harker doesn’t know it yet, this is a warning that Harker will only be safe from the Count himself if he stays in his room. Even before his secret is revealed, these quotes tell the reader everything they need to know about the evil nature of Count Dracula.

When Dr. Frankenstein brings the creature to life, his first thoughts are “How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form?” (Shelley, 98)

Despite his eagerness to create the creature, he immediately realizes the horror of what he has done.

In a later confrontation with the creature, Frankenstein says to him, “Cursed be the day, abhorred devil, in which you first saw light! Cursed (although I curse myself) be the hands that formed you! You have made me wretched beyond expression. You have left me no power to consider whether I am just to you or not. Begone! relieve me from the sight of your detested form.” (Shelley, 210)

Once again, the act of “playing God” and creating life from death has left Dr. Frankenstein filled with remorse.

As Dr. Frankenstein nears his final battle with the creature, he thinks to himself, “Again do I vow vengeance; again do I devote thee, miserable fiend, to torture and death. Never will I give up my search until he or I perish; and then with what ecstasy shall I join my Elizabeth and my departed friends, who even now prepare for me the reward of my tedious toil and horrible pilgrimage!” (Shelley, 231)

After bringing the creature to life (and defying the laws of God and nature), Dr, Frankenstein’s entire life was devoted to his obsession with destroying the creature. His obsession to create the creature became his obsession to destroy it, and it destroyed him in the process.

Works Cited

Stoker, Bram. Dracula. New York, NY: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2002. Print.

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1982. Print.