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Dracula as the Anti-Christ Anti-Christianity is a major reoccurring theme
throughout Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The novel portrays Anti-Christian values and
beliefs, through one of its characters. Dracula one of the main characters in
the novel is used to take on the characteristics of the Anti-Christ. Stoker uses
many beliefs from the Christian religion to display numerous amounts of
Anti-Christian values, superstitious beliefs of the protection towards evil, and
to compare and contrast the powers of God with those of Dracula. It is a theme
that is used throughout the entire book. There are many ways that Bram Stoker's
character Dracula can be considered the Anti-Christ, mostly because of the
showing of Anti-Christian values and abuses of the Christian religion. In
chapter one as Jonathan Harker is traveling to Castle Dracula he is met by
several people who give him a crucifix when he tells them where he is heading.
One superstition is that a rosary will protect you from all evil, and in this
novel the evil is Dracula. This rosary protects him when Jonathan cuts himself
shaving the next day and Dracula lunges for his throat, but stops when he sees
the crucifix around Jonathan's neck.
Later in the book it discusses how you can
defend yourself from Dracula and other vampires by the possession of a crucifix
or practically any consecrated item from the Christian religion can be used to
save you from the attack or presence of a vampire. Another example of one of the
superstitious acts is later in the book when Van Helsing uses a Host to prevent
Dracula from entering his coffin or when he makes a “Holy Circle” with the Hosts
to keep vampires out and to keep Mina safe. All of these are examples in which
some forms of Christian beliefs are used to prevent the attack of Dracula.
Dracula has several powers that the Christian's believe no one but God could
control. For instance, Dracula can control the weather, wild, or unclean
animals, he can change form, and has the power of necromancy. Christians believe
that consuming God's body and blood will give them everlasting life with God in
heaven, Dracula is remaining undead, or nosferatu, by consuming the blood of the
living to survive and to build his strength. By this, Dracula is relying on
humans to restore his life after death and not concentrating on God as the
source of life. It is said that you must let God into your heart, Dracula may
not enter someone's home unless they let him in. God is referred to in the Bible
as being the light, which symbolizes happiness or life.
Dracula's powers are
limited during the light and his powers are stronger in the night, during
darkness, which symbolizes evil. Dracula moves to an old abandoned Church not
used anymore which can show that God is no longer present which would accomplish
Dracula's purpose of spreading evil. Dracula is also portrayed as the
Anti-Christ by having similarities with Jesus but in evil ways. As Dracula feeds
on the blood of the living he creates followers as Jesus had disciples.
Throughout the book several times, normally while Reinfield (one of his
followers or “disciples”) is speaking, when Dracula is referred to the pronoun
is capitalized, as Christians would do when referring to God. Reinfield views
Dracula as god-like and all-powerful, he also refers to him as his master.
Throughout the novel, Bram Stoker uses many biblical allusions to show the
god-like manner of Dracula, such as “the blood is the life” said by Reinfield
and when Renfield quotes Enoch. Renfield wants to walk by Dracula’s side as
Enoch walked by God’s side. When the count is defeated in the end, he becomes
dust. This is important because turning into dust represents Christian freedom
in death and frees him from his evil ways. Bram Stoker’s Dracula emphasizes role
of Christianity against Dracula’s Anti-Christian presence. Dracula himself is a
demonic figure, both in appearance and in behavior, and could be considered the
Anti-Christ. In many ways Dracula is represented as the epitome of evil. In the
end, he is defeated by holiness. Dracula uses many biblical references and shows
a true resemblance between Dracula and anti-Christian beliefs.
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