Bram Stoker's DraculaBram Stoker's Dracula is one of the most famous British novels of all time. He left his mark on many aspects of literature and cinema. Many thematic elements are present throughout the story and have been interpreted in many ways. Stoker uses his characters to manifest the themes he wishes to imply. Three themes that occur throughout the book are the theme of Christian redemption, science and technology, and sexual expression. Christian redemption is shown in many ways throughout the book. Very early in the book, when Jonathon Harker is making his journey to the Count's castle, he makes a stop where he is given some crucifixes. The people who give them to him tell him how they will protect him. The crosses are a way to show that Christianity will promise protection. Furthermore, the hosts used several times in the book show how the Christian faith will save and protect you. An example of this is when Van Helsing drops the sacred wafers into Dracula's tomb to ensure he can never return. The theme of Christianity throughout the novel is also present in the battle of good versus evil. The most obvious example of this is when Mina is burned on the forehead by the Communion wafer. After being burned, Mina cries out, "Impure! Impure! Even the Almighty shuns my defiled flesh!" (Stoker, p 314). This event represents how the Christian object is truly good as it scars an evil spirit in the vampire. Another example of the conflict between good and evil is in Jonathon's bedroom when Mina drinks Dracula's blood. Mina, the pure and chaste being, is dressed in white while Dracula, the evil and corrupt being, is dressed in pure black. The way the two are dressed...... middle of paper ......r purity mentioning that her dress is stained with blood, similar to that of a virgin's white sheets on her wedding night . Stoker uses this as a way to imply that this is a sexual event. In describing Dracula's character Seward writes: "His eyes blazed red with diabolical passion" (Stoker, p 298). The connotation of the word "passion" gives the description a sexual undertone. Sexual expression is seen in almost every character and aspect of the story. On the surface, Dracula is a story of the battle between good and evil, however it has many other attributes. Christian redemption, science and technology, and sexual expression, among many others, are ideas that Stoker explores in his book. The themes that Stoker chooses to portray are representative of the ideals of the Victorian era. The many themes present in Dracula are brilliantly woven into the plot.