Katie Kisker
Reflection 3
Due: 9 - 11
Prof. Eckle

If every plot ever created had to be condensed into one theme; it would be good versus evil. Obviously however, the world of drama is not as black and white as that. The grey area in between good and evil is what creates mystery and suspense by making the audience question “Is the good side strong enough to win?”. Specifically in Dracula, Stoker creates a drama with a very distinct line dividing the sinister Count and the virtuous of the band of Londoners fighting against him. But is stoker’s book as simplistic as good versus evil? There is one easily overlooked character who breaches the gap between good and evil. Renfield, although we don’t understand how, has a connection with Dracula, however also sacrifices his life trying to save Mina. What rode does he play in Stoker’s black and white world, and what side was he truly on? First addressing the force of evil, Dracula literally means “son of the devil” from its Latin roots. Unlike most modern books and movies, Dracula is not depicted as a sympathetic character or deserving of mercy, but a force to be exterminated for the good of humanity. In order to insure the reader holds no sympathy for him, Stoker provides no compelling back story or even a full explanation of how Dracula became a vampire. As a result, the reader is compelled to despise the count as the cause of all the terrible occurrences throughout the book. In contrast, the band of six main characters who fight against Dracula are depicted as purely virtuous and good. Mina even says in her journal “The world seems full of good men, even if there are monsters in it.” This quote reveals Mina’s belief that the source of evil is not the men but the monsters. From these virtuous people we are lead to understand that men are merely fighting against the evil in the world, and not the cause of it. At this point the worldview differs from Christianity as Christians believe the evil lies in our own hears not in a situation of which we are a victim. With just these thoughts it would be easy to tie up the book with a neat little bow. However, there is one character that does not fall into one side or the other. Renfield, the mental patient, is initially counted on the side of evil because of his unexplained