Five Themes of
Bram Stoker’s
Dracula
Theme 1: Good versus Evil
Dracula is similar an epic poem. The evil
has supernatural powers. The good are
ordinary, God-fearing, and courageous.
The good are consistent in their effort to
destroy evil, even if it means sacrificing
themselves.
Theme 2: Consequences of
Modernization
In the late 1800s, big changes forced society to
forget about some of the “old ways” and
question the beliefs that had ruled it for
centuries. (Darwin, Industrial Revolution)
In the novel, the modernized people of England
are easy prey for Dracula because they have
turned their backs on superstition in order to
accept the new modern ways of thinking.
Theme 3: The Threat of Female
Sexual Aggression
In Victorian England, women’s sexual behavior was
dictated by society’s extremely strict expectations. A
Victorian woman effectively had only two options: she
was either a virgin—a model of purity and innocence—or
else she was a wife and mother—still a positive model. If
she was neither of these, she was considered unworthy
of respect.
Dracula indulges the Victorian male imagination regarding
the topic of female sexuality because some female
characters deviate from the Victorian standards of
female behavior.
Theme 4: The Promise of Christian
Salvation
The folk legends and traditions included in
the novel suggest that the most effective
weapons in combating supernatural evil
are symbols of unearthly good.
In the fight against Dracula, various symbols
of “good” take the form of the icons of
Christian faith, such as the crucifix and
holy water.
Theme 5: Bravery and Loyalty
All the protagonists have fear concerning
Dracula, but they are still brave enough to
fight him.
They are also very loyal each other, and
they are willing to sacrifice themselves for
the well-being of the group.