The Blood Is the Life!

Welcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 367 The blood is the life!

Today I would like to start out by comparing Bram Stoker’s Dracula’s castle to Edgar Allan Poe’s decaying House of Usher.

Both Castle Dracula and the House of Usher are iconic Gothic settings that share several key characteristics, emphasizing decay, isolation, and a sense of foreboding. However, they also have distinct features that set them apart.

Castle Dracula is described as a vast, ruined structure with broken battlements and tall black windows. Its exterior shows signs of decay, with carvings worn by time and weather. The castle's imposing architecture and remote location on a great rock contribute to its air of impenetrability and isolation.

In contrast, the House of Usher is portrayed as a mansion rather than a castle, but it shares the theme of decay. The exterior of the House of Usher is covered in "minute fungi" and a "fine tangled web-work," creating a more organic form of deterioration.

Both structures evoke a sense of ancient history and faded grandeur. Castle Dracula is associated with Romanian aristocracy and contains valuable artifacts from centuries past. The House of Usher, while not explicitly tied to nobility, also carries an aura of long-standing family history.

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Transcript

Welcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 367 The blood is the life!

Today I would like to start out by comparing Bram Stoker’s Dracula’s castle to Edgar Allan Poe’s decaying House of Usher.

Both Castle Dracula and the House of Usher are iconic Gothic settings that share several key characteristics, emphasizing decay, isolation, and a sense of foreboding. However, they also have distinct features that set them apart.

Castle Dracula is described as a vast, ruined structure with broken battlements and tall black windows. Its exterior shows signs of decay, with carvings worn by time and weather. The castle's imposing architecture and remote location on a great rock contribute to its air of impenetrability and isolation.

In contrast, the House of Usher is portrayed as a mansion rather than a castle, but it shares the theme of decay. The exterior of the House of Usher is covered in "minute fungi" and a "fine tangled web-work," creating a more organic form of deterioration.

Both structures evoke a sense of ancient history and faded grandeur. Castle Dracula is associated with Romanian aristocracy and contains valuable artifacts from centuries past. The House of Usher, while not explicitly tied to nobility, also carries an aura of long-standing family history.

The interiors of both buildings reflect their decaying exteriors. In Castle Dracula, Jonathan Harker notes the "wealth of dust" and hinges that have "fallen somewhat". The House of Usher's interior is described as "ruinous," mirroring its external decay.

A key difference lies in the scale and type of structure. Castle Dracula is a fortress-like building with complex layouts, including "intricate cloisters" and secret passages. The House of Usher, being a mansion, is likely more compact but still maintains an oppressive atmosphere.

Both settings serve to create an atmosphere of dread and supernatural possibility. Castle Dracula blurs the line between dream and reality for its inhabitants, while the House of Usher's decay seems to reflect the psychological state of its occupants.

In essence, while both settings exemplify Gothic decay, Castle Dracula emphasizes grandeur, isolation, and hidden dangers, whereas the House of Usher focuses more on the intimate connection between the building's decay and the mental deterioration of its inhabitants.

If fact, the theme of decay is manifest in both Castle Dracula and the House of Usher. In both houses, he theme of decay serves as a powerful symbol of deterioration, both physical and psychological, in their respective Gothic narratives.

In "The Fall of the House of Usher," the decaying mansion is a central symbol, representing the physical and mental decline of the Usher family. The house is described with "vacant, eye-like windows," setting a tone of desolation and decay that mirrors the deteriorating mental states of Roderick and Madeline Usher. A "barely perceptible fissure" in the structure symbolizes hidden weaknesses within the family, foreshadowing their ultimate downfall.

The House of Usher's decay is inextricably linked to the fate of its inhabitants. As the last members of the Usher lineage decline mentally and physically, the house itself crumbles. This symbiotic relationship between the structure and its occupants is emphasized when the house collapses into the tarn simultaneously with the deaths of Roderick and Madeline, symbolizing the complete destruction of the Usher lineage.

Similarly, Castle Dracula embodies decay through its opulent yet deteriorating architecture. The castle's state of decay symbolizes the tension between the past and present, mirroring Count Dracula's own nature as an ancient being existing in the modern world.

Roderick Usher's mental state is a prime example of this decay. He suffers from a "morbid acuteness of the senses," which causes him great distress and horror. This hypersensitivity symbolizes the fragility of his mind, deteriorating in parallel with the crumbling house. Roderick's belief that his fate is connected to the house underscores the idea that the family's decline is inevitable.

The narrator, initially rational, experiences a gradual erosion of his mental stability. As he becomes entangled in the house's oppressive atmosphere, he begins to notice his own sanity fraying. This progression illustrates how the decay of the Usher family and their dwelling can infect even an outsider, spreading like rot.

Madeline Usher, though less prominently featured, embodies physical decay that complements Roderick's mental deterioration. Her illness and apparent death symbolize the family's physical decline, while her ghostly reappearance represents the inescapable nature of the Ushers' fate.

The interconnectedness of the characters' mental states with the decaying environment is further emphasized by the house itself, which serves as a metaphor for the psychological state of its inhabitants. The dilapidated mansion mirrors the mental decline of the characters, emphasizing the tragic and interconnected nature of their fates.

For a change of pace - Dracula is a novel that is full of familiar quotes -

For example - "Enter freely and of your own free will!" This is spoken by Count Dracula to Mr. Jonathan Harker, found in Harker's journal dated  May, Chapter . These are the first words spoken by Count Dracula in Bram Stoker's novel and emphasize the "free will" by which Harker enters Dracula's home and by which Dracula is able to entrap his victims.

"Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!" Count Dracula says this to Mr. Jonathan Harker.

"My revenge is just begun! I spread it over centuries, and time is on my side. Your girls that you all love are mine already; and through them you and others shall yet be mine—my creatures, to do my bidding and to be my jackals when I want to feed" Dracula says this to Van Helsing’s group, in Dr. Seward's diary dated  October, Chapter. 

Dracula declares his vengeful intention to continue to prey for centuries to come.

And by prey, I mean prEy not pray.

More Jonathan Harker Quotes

"I am all in a sea of wonders. I doubt; I fear; I think strange things, which I dare not confess to my own soul" This is from Jonathan Harker's journal entry dated  May, Chapter . Mr. Harker has been trapped and as the readers, we discover more about Dracula during Mr. Harker's stay.

"The last I saw of Count Dracula was his kissing his hand to me; with a red light of triumph in his eyes, and with a smile that Judas in hell might be proud of." This is from Mr. Jonathan Harker's journal. Harker now understands this business trip is much more than he bargained for and the Count is no ordinary man.

Lucy Westenra Quotes

"Why can’t they let a girl marry three men, or as many as want her, and save all this trouble?" Lucy Westenra says this to Miss Mina Murray in a letter. This quote foreshadows the lustful and sexualized vampire she will become.

You might even say that Bram Stoker’s Dracula has its share of life lessons -
“The world seems full of good men–even if there are monsters in it.” This is from Mrs. Mina Harker's journal entry on 9 September, Chapter 7. In this quote, Mina refers to Dr. Seward, but it is also a metaphor for the world at large.

"I want you to believe...To believe in things you cannot." Professor Abraham Van Helsing says this to Dr. John Seward in Seward's diary dated  September, Chapter .

"We learn from failure, not from success!" Professor Abraham Van Helsing says this to Dr. John Seward as noted in Seward's diary.
Here are some of the most iconic and familiar  quotes from Bram Stoker's Dracula:

"Enter freely and of your own free will!" This is spoken by Count Dracula to Jonathan Harker, signifying their first meeting and emphasizing the free will by which Harker enters Dracula's home.

"The blood is the life! The blood is the life!" Renfield mutters this while licking blood. In one of the many movie versions of Dracula,, this line is reworked and spoken by Vlad the Impaler before he becomes Dracula. Another variation of this quote is, "The blood is life… and it shall be mine!".

"The castle is a veritable prison, and I am a prisoner!" This quote exemplifies the dark and ominous tone of the novel.

"I am all in a sea of wonders. I doubt; I fear; I think strange things, which I dare not confess to my own soul"7.

"Do you believe in destiny? That even the powers of time can be altered for a single purpose? That the luckiest man who walks on this earth is the one who finds… true love?"

"Your impotent men with their foolish shells cannot protect you from my power. I condemn you to living death. To eternal hunger for living blood".

"Mina, to walk with me you must die to your breathing life and be reborn to mine".

"I RENOUNCE GOD! I RENOUNCE HIM! I shall rise from my own death, to avenge hers with all the powers of darkness".

"We are in Transylvania. Transylvania is not England. Our ways are not your ways. And to you there shall be many strange things".

"There are vampires. They are real, they are of our time, and they are here, close by, stalking us as we sleep…"

"Even if she be not harmed, her heart may fail her in so much and so many horrors; and hereafter she may suffer--both in waking, from her nerves, and in sleep, from her dreams".

Now one of Dracula's most revealing quotes is: "My revenge is just begun! I spread it over centuries, and time is on my side. Many ladies are mine already; and through them you and others shall yet be mine—my creatures, to do my bidding and to be my jackals when I want to feed". 

This statement reflects several key aspects of Dracula's character:

Long-term planning: Dracula's immortality allows him to plot revenge over centuries, showcasing his patience and strategic thinking.

Desire for control: He seeks to dominate others, turning them into his "creatures" and "jackals."

Use of seduction: Dracula targets women as a means to corrupt and control men, revealing his manipulative nature.

Dracula's rejection of human morality is also evident in his actions and demeanor. When confronted by Van Helsing and his group, Dracula's reaction is described as: "As the Count saw us, a horrible sort of snarl passed over his face, showing the eye-teeth long and pointed; but the evil smile as quickly passed into a cold stare of lion-like disdain". This quote illustrates:

Superiority complex: His "lion-like disdain" suggests he views humans as inferior beings.

Dracula's primary motivation is to expand his influence beyond Transylvania and into modern society, specifically London. This desire for power and relevance in the modern world drives his actions throughout the novel.

In essence, Dracula's quotes and actions portray him as a character driven by a lust for power, a desire for revenge against humanity, and a need to corrupt and control others, all while maintaining a sense of superiority over mortals.

IN the previous episode, I said that Renfield was my favorite character in Dracula, but I would like to say a few more words about his character - he definitely makes an impression.

Dracula exploits Renfield's mental instability and desire for immortality, promising him eternal life in exchange for servitude. This demonstrates Dracula's cunning and willingness to prey on the vulnerable.

Despite Renfield's unwavering devotion, Dracula ultimately betrays him, breaking his neck when Renfield attempts to protect Mina Harker. This act exposes Dracula's ruthlessness and disregard for those who serve him.

Dracula's ability to maintain a psychic connection with Renfield, even from a distance, showcases his supernatural powers and his capacity to dominate others mentally. This control extends to Renfield's behavior, influencing him to consume insects and animals.

Dracula's promise of immortality to Renfield reflects his ability to tempt others with grandiose offers, revealing the seductive nature of vampirism. This allure is part of what makes Dracula a formidable antagonist.

Dracula's treatment of Renfield ultimately exposes him as a manipulative, cruel, and powerful being who uses others for his own gain, discarding them when they are no longer useful. This relationship serves as a microcosm of Dracula's broader character and his interactions with humanity.

Renfield is, by the way, is a 9-year-old patient in Dr. Seward's mental asylum, described as a "lunatic" and "madman" with an abnormal psychology. He is characterized by having an obsession with consuming living creatures, believing it will grant him special powers.  And of course, a
devotion to Dracula, whom he worships as a godlike figure.  He is definitely considered mental instability, yet capable of maintaining composure when needed - and he has a conflicted nature, torn between his humanity and his warped loyalty to Dracula.

The character of Renfield functions as a bridge between humanity and the supernatural, sensitive to Dracula's movements, a cautionary tale against the quest for immortality, a source of dramatic irony, because readers understand his connection to Dracula before the protagonists do, and as a
mirror to Dracula, showcasing a human who devours insects and mice creatures for perceived personal gain.

Renfield's character embodies the struggle between humanity and monstrous desires, serving as a tragic figure in the narrative and a foil to Dracula himself. His presence adds depth to the exploration of sanity, devotion, and the consequences of seeking immortality in Stoker's gothic masterpiece.

Animal consumption: Renfield begins by catching and eating flies, then progresses to feeding flies to spiders, and eventually consumes birds. This behavior is observed by Dr. Seward in Chapter , showcasing an escalating timeline of shocking signs of vampiric contamination.

Blood obsession: Renfield's fixation on blood intensifies, culminating in him attacking Dr. Seward to drink his blood. He justifies this by claiming "the blood is the life," demonstrating both homicidal and religious obsessions.

Devotion to Dracula: Renfield refers to Dracula as his "Master" and exhibits a warped devotion to him. This allegiance stems from Dracula's promise of immortality and an endless supply of creatures for Renfield to consume.

Erratic behavior: Dr. Seward diagnoses Renfield with religious and homicidal mania, characterized by extreme mood swings and a short but project-oriented attention span.

Renfield struggles between his humanity and his devotion to Dracula, serving as a cautionary tale against the pursuit of immortality. But
as the story progresses, Renfield's behavior and cryptic statements serve as warnings about Dracula's presence and activities, though the other characters initially fail to recognize this.

Renfield's madness plays a crucial role in the novel, acting as a barometer for Dracula's influence and creating dramatic irony as the reader understands the connection between Renfield and Dracula long before the other characters do.

In fact, while Dracula is portrayed as refined and composed, Renfield's madness manifests in erratic and viscerally shocking behavior. This contrast highlights Dracula's sophistication and makes him appear even more formidable.

Dracula exerts powerful control over others, whereas Renfield is tormented by the clash between his humanity and his warped devotion to his "master". This juxtaposition emphasizes Dracula's dominance and manipulative nature.

In conclusion, Renfield’s desperate quest for immortality through consuming living creatures serves as a cautionary tale, contrasting with Dracula's achieved immortality. This difference underscores the tragic consequences of pursuing vampiric power. By this time - whether you have read the novel or not - you probably realize that Renfield is a very complex character.

join Celebrate Poe for the third and final part - for now - of this three part series on Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Join Celebrate Poe for Episode 380 - Varney VS Dracula

Sources include: Coy Hall - The Horrors of History: Vampires, Sources include: Vampires: A Handbook of History & Lore of the Undead by Agnes Hollyhock, Vampire Forensics: Uncovering the Origins of an Enduring Legend by Mark Collins Jenkins, and In Search of Dracula: The History of Dracula and Vampires by Radu Florescu and Raymond T. McNally. 

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