Topic: Historical allegories within Dracula about Eastern Europe, particularly Vlad the Impaler
Thesis: While Dracula is a thrilling novel known for pioneering the monstrous vampires, a motif of blood and historical allegory contribute to a character that is the embodiment of the innate hedonism of man.
My potential research topic is about the historical implications of Stoker’s story. I knew that in some way there was a historical relevance of Dracula, and after pursuing it a little bit I believe Dracula to be an embodiment of evil and greed, exemplified in Vlad the Impaler of Wallachia. I have learned that the notorious Vlad the Impaler, brutal leader of the Wallachia Empire in the mid 1400s, is the son of a man named Dracul, so he often went by the name “Dracula” meaning “son of Dracul.” This Dracula is well known in history books for punishing his enemies by setting them atop stakes to let the force of their own weight impale them. A heinous figure indeed, I believe Stoker adapted this name for the antagonist of his novel, a man who represents greed and self-gratification. As we see in the novel, Dracula thrives off of consuming blood: he is able to live by consuming the life force of others. In the attached passage Harker even details that Dracula would need to “satiate his lust for blood” (75). Also detailed in the passage’s intense imagery is the gruesome figure and facial features of Dracula in a state in which he is vulnerable, not putting on a facade. It gives a great feeling of ‘revealing’ as the reader understands this and is experiencing Dracula in his true, hideous form. Dracula’s homicidal nature, ominous demeanor, overall greed and selfishness surrounding his relationship to Harker all contribute to him being the embodiment of self-indulgence. I can see Stoker developing a theme about self-absorption and greed, relevant in Dracula’s character, motif of blood, and in many other ways, and I am curious to see the full implications as we continue the novel.
