Somnambulism In Dracula, Count Dracula By Bram Stoker

The story of a vampire, Count Dracula, written by Bram Stoker. Back in 1879 when this piece of literature was written it did not take much to push fear into an average persons mind. But what about this novel makes it so horrifying? Motifs such as revenants, somnambulism, mist/fog, curses, cemeteries, and many more are what give many gothic novels their appeal and emotional interest. This novel has a way of making the reader overthink everything and second guess themselves when it comes to assuming what is going to happen next, or what is going to happen to the characters as the story progresses. Oftentimes throughout this novel there is a unexpected twist or event that really puts the reader on edge and keeps them thinking. In Chapter 19 of Dracula, Mina experiences a peculiar mist coming towards her room at first, and then seeping into her room as the night goes on. This motif, a strange mist or fog, is very common among many gothic novels of this time and in future literature. The mood mist sets is ominous and somewhat suspenseful. We do not know what is going to happen next, and the characters in the novel are unable to see through the mist and sometimes just the presence of such an odd thing is enough to make the character uncomfortable which, in turn, makes the reader uneasy. Mina seeing this mist was somewhat of a turning point in Dracula because we as the readers were under the impression that the men had the upper hand over Count Dracula. The wording of this part of the chapter and Mina’s feelings as she describes this occurrence in her diary leads us into the assumption that the Count played a large part in this mysterious mist. The definition of somnambulism is sleepwalking. Sleepwalking does not sounds so negative and chilling when at first just casually discussed. But, when really thought about, imagine waking up in the middle of the night and a family member is not in bed. They are missing because they are sleepwalking. They could be anywhere, hurt, or even dead. When thought about from that perspective, Mina’s concern for Lucy’s sudden sleepwalking seems like a rational thing to be alarmed about. Mina’s closest friend Lucy beings sleepwalking in Chapter 6 of Dracula. Lucy’s sleepwalking beings to get so bad, Mina is forced to lock the doors and windows, hide the key, and even sleep in the same bedroom as …show more content…
One day she will be well, and the next once again near death. After the sudden and odd death of Lucy, Van Helsing, a character introduced to help care for Lucy, in later chapters expresses his knowledge of the “undead”. A revenant is someone who has returned, especially supposedly from the dead. Many small hints in the beginning chapters of this novel point our attention towards the assumption that Count Dracula is a revenant. As the book progresses, it is revealed to us that Lucy is a part of the undead as well. The way she is depicted does not leave a lot of room for us to guess her physical and mental state. Back in these days the people were more pure, they had strong beliefs and horrifying superstitions. Just the thought of there possibly being as “undead” was sure to terrify many people. Lucy is described as beautiful after death, and acts very strange few days