Embedded Files
How Stoker Wrote
Setting
Bram Stoker utilizes setting in order to create juxtaposition and suspense within his works. For example, in Dracula, Stoker heightens his suspense by contrasting London and Transylvania, showing a discrepancy between good and evil. Furthermore, Stoker also utilizes isolation to strengthen the Gothic atmosphere of his novel. Isolation is used both in Dracula (The count's castle) and The Jewel of Seven Stars (the archaeologist's home, described as claustrophobic). Finally, Stoker involves dark and eerie visuals into his settings in order to strengthen the mystery within his Gothic works.
Characters
Bram Stoker uses his monsters, such as the vampires in Dracula, in order to demonstrate the "Victorian virtues". For example, Lucy Westerna from Dracula symbolizes purity, or the dangers of unpureness as a Victorian woman. Other virtues continue to be used throughout Stoker's works, such as loyalty and intellect, which creates further contrast between good and evil.
Sentence Structure and Vocab
Bram Stoker commonly uses the first person point of view in order to show a more personal viewpoint on the occurrences within his novels, ultimately strengthening the impact of his psychological horror. Additionally, in Dracula, stoker uses detailed journaling, letters, newspaper clippings, and more media in order to present a deeper look into the narrator's and the other character's psyche. Moreover, Stoker uses extremely detailed and sensory descriptions in order to strengthen the Gothic feel of his novels, demonstrating horror and psychological distress.
Emulation of Stoker
Emulation of Stoker
As I approached the dark, isolated manor, I was suddenly greeted by a small man with deep blue eyes and a sharp nose.
"Are you the woman who is to take care of the old master?" The man asked, appearing frightened.
"Yes, sir," I replied, concerned. "What are you doing wandering alone in the woods?"
The man began trembling. "Oh, must you go!" He was clutching a small amulet in his quivering hands.
"Are you all right?" I inquired, but the man continued to stare at me in fright. I continued down the dark, desolate path as the woods began to close in on me with every passing step. I heard a distant bird calling, but there was no answer. Then a rustling, then a snapping twig, but I figured the noise was due to the light breeze. I finally reached the manor's steps and began to climb.
I suddenly noticed there were no lights within. I stopped in my tracks, and that's when I heard a creature howling. However, this eerie animalistic noise was not distant; it may have been just behind the door!
"Master!" I called, but there was no reply. Sweat rolled down my cheeks like molasses on a porcelain doll. I slowly inched onto the final step and placed a pale hand on the grand, hardwood doors before me.
"Master?" I called once again, ever quieter. The silence remained.
I found that the door was ajar. I reluctantly pushed it, and it opened with a creak that echoed along the grand entry. Despite the aroma of freshly extinguished candles, I was greeted by emptiness and complete darkness. Suddenly, I tripped! Upon my fall, I felt around myself to regain balance, but I found that the manor was a mess! Books seemed to have been scattered about without a care, and as my eyes adjusted, I noticed how the wallpaper curled and the portraits hung crookedly. I wondered what had happened to this poor old manor.
Prior to my arrival, I was instructed to continue straight, and I would find the old master's room inside the first door I saw. With care, I walked through the clutter and finally found myself reaching another slightly ajar door.
I began to call, but hesitated. I noticed a dim candlelight, as if it was just beginning to fade out.
I peered into the room, and what I found was alarming! The old master was dead! His frail body lay cold on the dark, wooded floors. Pools of thick red blood seeped into his thin grey hair. What am I to do!
Explanation of Emulation
Setting
In order to recreate Bram Stoker's writing style within the sentence, I made sure to include intense sensory details that deepened the Gothic horror feel. I also used isolation within my imagery to demonstrate the eerie feeling within the settings of Stoker's works.
Characters
Within Stoker's works, he uses detailed descriptions of character's features in order to show their first impressions to the narrator. In my emulation, I used the small man as an example of these discriptions used. I was heavily inspired by Stoker's description of Count Dracula in Dracula, because his description of the Count stuck with me whilst reading the novel.
Sentence Structure and Vocab
Since Stoker tends to utilize the first person perspective within his novels to strengthen suspense, I chose to use the first person point of view as well. I also documented some of what the narrator was observing, feeling, hearing, and smelling, in order to help readers visualize things from her perspective, ultimately showing how Gothic horror novels during the Victorian era created suspense through strong detail.
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