Atmosphere In Bram Stoker's Dracula

1237 Words5 Pages
How is atmosphere created in the extract from ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker? ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker is an extremely atmospheric piece of writing. Jonathan Harker, the main protagonist and an English solicitor, travels to Dracula’s castle in Transylvania. The castle is described in multiple ways; Jonathan Harker describes it as remarkable. A concerning atmosphere is initially created when Harker’s caleche drivers hand is described as a steel vice. Harker soon states that if he had so chosen to, the driver could have mercilessly crushed Harker’s hand. This contributes to the fact that the driver briskly leaves after Harker has exited the caleche. These specific atmospheric conditions will also appear when the reader is introduced to the antagonist,…show more content…
However, the atmosphere can also be interpreted as exciting. This is created when Johnathan Harker informs us that “he must have noticed the approach of such a remarkable place.” This creates an anxious atmosphere because Harker may feel like the castle is daunting or intimidating. This also creates the impression that Johnathan is impressed or amazed by the castle, and he may feel small or frightened. The phrase “he must of noticed the approach” suggests that the castle had appeared out of nowhere. The word “remarkable” suggests that Harker is having mixed emotions about the castle. It suggests that he is partly intimidated by it, and partly excited. Next, a somewhat concerning atmosphere is created when Harker states, “Again, I could not but notice his prodigious strength.” This suggests that Harker may be worried and he might not know what to do. This also suggests that is the driver would so choose to, he could harm Harker, or possibly kill him. This creates an atmosphere of intensity by showing that the driver is immensely powerful. Harker may not understand how or why the driver is so strong and this may make him feel slightly…show more content…
It could suggest that Dracula looks cadaverous and sickly. Another interpretation could be that he is only wearing black clothing, which makes him seem more peculiar. His pale skin would stand out more against the murky black clothing, which makes him seem even more concerning. Next, an ominous atmosphere is created when Harker tells us that Dracula was holding a lantern “In which the flame burned without a chimney or globe of any kind, throwing long quivering shadows.” This kind of atmosphere is created when the lamp is burning on its own, like it’s almost magical. The writer uses personification where it says “long quivering shadows” which creates tension because it makes it sound more human. The word “quivering” suggests that something bad is going to happen or that the writer wants to show that the flames are frightened by something or
Show More
Related

  • Bram Stoker's Dracul The Gothic Genre

    1110 Words  | 5 Pages

    Edgar Allan Poe’s works. Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” was written quite late, in 1897, compared to the earlier gothic novels. Therefore, Bram Stoker didn’t bring any new features or invent new elements to the gothic genre. He only made use of the century worth of gothic fiction before him and replicated

    Read More

  • Comparing Dracula And Coppola's The Castle Of Otranto

    1835 Words  | 8 Pages

    not, as exemplified in Dracula, a novel by Bram Stoker, and Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 film adaptation. Gothic horror is a well-known genre, believed to have been invented by Horace Walpole in 1764 when he wrote The Castle of Otranto. This novel, and all gothic novels written afterwards, have multiple characteristics in common that make them part of the gothic horror genre. These characteristics include a setting in a castle or other ruined, abandoned area, an atmosphere of mystery and suspense

    Read More

  • Bram Stoker's Description Of Castle Dracula

    2307 Words  | 10 Pages

    Transylvania Emerging out of the dark recesses of the godforsaken castle of the cruel Count Dracula in the precipices of the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania to the crowded and bustling streets of London, England. Abraham, Bram, Stoker transforms a myth as old as time into an immortal classic of literature: Dracula, has been the precedent for today’s horror genre. Stoker’s vivid descriptions of scenery, atmosphere and unique use of multiple perspectives escalates the story’s building anticipation for

    Read More

  • Nosferat And Sunrise Comparison

    1590 Words  | 7 Pages

    The films Nosferat and Sunrise: A song of two humans, are both directed by F. W. Murnau, and made in the 1920’s. While Sunrise tells the story of two young lovers that reconcile, Nosferatu is a horror adaptation of Bram Stoker’s, Dracula. Both films consist of two young couples that face the possibility of death and other threatening dangers. The way that space is used in each of the two films, moves the raises tension in different ways. In Noseferatu, enclosed spacing portrays the feeling of no

    Read More

More about Atmosphere In Bram Stoker's Dracula

Open Document