What a fine essay on Dracula. Stoker himself was immersed in the world of the Theatre and had divided feelings over Henry Irving (his model for Dracula). That Mina is the moral center had not occurred to me, but I think you are right.
That poster- "I looked at my watch and it was time to go/the bandleader said, "We ain't playin' no more.."".
But seriously: you are right. Mina plays an important part in assembling and directing the narrative which all of the film versions completely ignore...
It has been many years since I read it in fascinated horror. It took a long time for the scene when an unfortunate woman with her infant wander near the castle to fade from my mind. It was so serious a book that I did not really understand why it became a source of campy movies and action/adventure films, much less a teen romance book series.
Good article. Oldham version is one of our faves but have always loved the Bram Stoker story but never put Mina in your perspective. I like it. Really enjoy your column and ideas.
I really enjoyed that link, but was especially amused to read that Ireland had been a half hour behind the UK in time when Bram Stoker wrote his book. The Canadian province of Newfoundland, which was primarily settled by Irish immigrants, is 3.5 hours behind GMT, which results in national broadcasts being announced like this: "Tune in at 6PM, 6:30 in Newfoundland." My father often tells an old joke that 'the world will end at 12 PM, half an hour later in Newfoundland.'
Yesss all of this! 100% on point!
Have you listened to the podcast series on "Dracula" from House of Humane Letters? SOOOO good.
No. Thanks for the tip!
You're welcome! :) They're actually featuring it this month (for obvz reasons 🤣😂) which makes it super handy to find in the latest episodes instead of having to #doomscroll through a bajillion other (granted, excellent) episodes. Here's the first - I want to say there are 5-6 in total for the full book: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/best-of-series-introduction-to-dracula-by-bram-stoker-ch-1-2/id1460580357?i=1000729225773
What a fine essay on Dracula. Stoker himself was immersed in the world of the Theatre and had divided feelings over Henry Irving (his model for Dracula). That Mina is the moral center had not occurred to me, but I think you are right.
That poster- "I looked at my watch and it was time to go/the bandleader said, "We ain't playin' no more.."".
But seriously: you are right. Mina plays an important part in assembling and directing the narrative which all of the film versions completely ignore...
It has been many years since I read it in fascinated horror. It took a long time for the scene when an unfortunate woman with her infant wander near the castle to fade from my mind. It was so serious a book that I did not really understand why it became a source of campy movies and action/adventure films, much less a teen romance book series.
Yes, several scenes are deeply unsettling. It is weird that it became so popular and in the way it did.
Good article. Oldham version is one of our faves but have always loved the Bram Stoker story but never put Mina in your perspective. I like it. Really enjoy your column and ideas.
Today I learned my 9th grade interpretation of the book may have some holes in it and I should revisit this one. Great stuff!
This is now my second best reading! Here's my favorite... :) https://www.thefitzwilliam.com/p/turning-back-the-economic-clock
That’s utterly fascinating! Thanks for sharing it!
I really enjoyed that link, but was especially amused to read that Ireland had been a half hour behind the UK in time when Bram Stoker wrote his book. The Canadian province of Newfoundland, which was primarily settled by Irish immigrants, is 3.5 hours behind GMT, which results in national broadcasts being announced like this: "Tune in at 6PM, 6:30 in Newfoundland." My father often tells an old joke that 'the world will end at 12 PM, half an hour later in Newfoundland.'