When we think of the novel “Dracula”, we often think of Transylvania, Romania or even English Gothic culture. What many people don’t know, however, is that this masterpiece is the product of an Irish imagination: that of Bram Stoker, a brilliant writer who created the famous Count Dracula from scratch. A major work of world literature that has created both fascination and psychosis!
“Bram Stoker’s Dracula was published in 1897, and no one expected it to be such a success. Now a classic of Gothic literature, this novel is a condensed epistolary work.
“Dracula” is structured in epistolary fashion, a narrative technique very much in vogue in the Victorian era. The novel is made up of letters, diaries and newspaper articles, adding a captivating realism to the story.
This multiplicity of points of view reveals the influence of other great Irish authors, such as James Joyce and Oscar Wilde, who also used this technique.
As for the story, it’s essentially the struggle between Count Dracula, a Transylvanian vampire, and a small group led by Professor Van Helsing. The work explores themes such as fear of the stranger, sexuality and the conflict between civilization and savagery.
He also tackles the subject of vampirism in all its most frightening guises, creating fear and fascination among readers of the time.
Of course, the link between Dracula and Ireland may seem remote… But it’s there all the same.
All thanks to its author, Bram Stoker.
Abraham “Bram” Stoker was born in Dublin in 1847 and lived mainly in Ireland. According to many experts on the writer, Stoker’s work was strongly influenced by his life on the Emerald Isle.
Starting with local myths and legends. After all, Ireland is an island of fabulous storytellers and fantastic myths and legends. The Irish have always had a taste for drama and morbid romanticism. Tragedies and epic frescoes have always been part of Irish folklore.
Irish tales and myths, such as the banshees, Jack’O Lantern, the Pùca and leprechauns, undoubtedly influenced the writer.
Also, on closer inspection, Count Dracula shares characteristics with creatures from Irish folklore. For example, the “Dearg Due”, Irish vampires, share Dracula’s fear of garlic and inability to go out during the day.
This cultural background provided him with a unique backdrop for creating the immortal character of Dracula.
Beyond the creature of Dracula, Stoker’s novel addresses profoundly human issues such as fear of the stranger, sexuality, and the conflict between civilization and savagery.
It’s no coincidence that these themes still resonate today, as they transcend cultural and geographical boundaries.
These themes can be directly transposed to Ireland, with its history, its territorial conflicts between the English and the Irish… not forgetting Ireland’s particular relationship with the Catholic religion, between Puritanism and the social constraints imposed at the time Dracula was written.
Since its publication, “Dracula” has been adapted into a variety of formats, from films to TV series, video games and even ballets. The character of Dracula has become a cultural icon, and elements of the novel have been integrated into the collective consciousness. This global reach is a testament to the power of Stoker’s imagination and his Irish heritage.
3.33/5 (24 votes)
