Superstitions In The Victorian Era

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Life in the Victorian era may be particularly unconventional and exotic to some individuals of today’s society. Bram Stoker, author of the well-known Gothic horror book, Dracula, displays what life was like back then. “For much of this century the term Victorian, which literally describes things and events (roughly) in the reign of Queen Victoria, conveyed connotations of ‘prudish,’ ‘repressed,’ and ‘old fashioned’” (“Victorian England:”). The Victorian era extended from 1837 to 1901.Compared to today especially, people at that time were highly puritanical. They were not able to speak of or even mention topics such as sex. “Without a doubt, it was an extraordinarily complex age, that has sometimes been called the Second English Renaissance. …show more content…

“Bram Stoker’s novel… integrated many vampire superstitions” (“History of”). Many vampire stereotypes and characteristics came from Dracula. The method for killing a vampire was addressed in the book. “There are things that we know of; and as for things sacred, as this symbol, my crucifix, that was amongst us even now when we resolve, to them he is nothing, but in their presence he take his place far off and silent with respect… The branch of wild rose on his coffin keep him that he move not from it; a sacred bullet fired into the coffin keep him that he be true dead; and as for the stake through him, we know already of its peace; or the cut-off head that giveth rest” (Stoker 259). Most of these ways are still a part of modern vampire superstition. In a lot of different vampire myths, a stake through the heart is an effective technique to kill a vampire. “Certain types of wood were said to be the most effective towards these old vampires, such as maple, hawthorn and aspen” (“Top 10”). Garlic is also associated with repelling vampires. “It was known not only for healing but also protection against the plague and supernatural evils” (“Why Do”). The fact that vampires cannot see their reflection came from Dracula, as well. Myths and superstitions concerning these blood-sucking creatures originated from or are the same as the ones in Stoker’s

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