‘Terror in Dracula Comes from Expectation’: Discuss

Composed in around 1987, ‘Dracula’ is an epistolary novel written by Bram Stoker, which relies heavily on the conventions of Gothic literature; a notoriously popular genre at the time. ‘Dracula’ is considered to be one of the greatest of all Gothic fictions, which provides an intriguing study of popular attitudes toward religion, science and society of the late nineteenth century. Over recent years, many critics have argued that through Stoker’s use of literary devices, setting and characterisation to some extent, the reader can expect the terror in ‘Dracula’.
Jonathan Harker begins his journal in the informal style of a typical traveller’s monologue. His complaints about how the “train was an hour late”, emphasises the significance of time in the West, as opposed to Eastern Europe where Jonathan is travelling to. Jonathan states how “there are no maps of this country as yet to compare with our own Ordnance Survey maps”, giving the reader a sense that he is now in a completely new world, where the usual constraints of time and space are non-existent. For the reader, the West represents security and civilisation; while the East, a place of mystery and uncertainty. The metaphorical association of the journey he details in his journal is conspicuous. Upon his arrival at Castle Dracula, the character describes being enshrouded in “complete darkness, for the rolling clouds obscured the landscape”. Stoker’s use of pathetic fallacy enables the reader to envisage an oppressive, unpleasant landscape teeming with mystery. The idea of the clouds “rolling” in the sky, suggests there is a strong, dark force operating close to him, which in turn, builds up the suspense. This foreshadows perhaps the terrifying events which lie before Jonathan in the Castle. The word “obscured” and “darkness” highlight the novel’s theme of isolation and are indicative of Jonathan’s vulnerability in this place. There is a fear of the unknown, and because of this, the reader is led to believe...