The Corruption Of Science In Dracula By Bram Stoker

own will, which embodies the fear of Stoker. The corruption of science can be view in many parts in the novel, such as the scene when Dracula forces Mina to drink his blood as an act of rape, “Her face was ghastly, with a pallor… eyes were mad of terror.”(Stoker 301). Nevertheless, one can view it as an act of technological creation and is a characteristic of a scientist. In this act Mina Harker is turned into a medium of connection for his sound and enables him to extend his manipulation. Stoker represents the corruption of science through human experimentation since it is seen as a taboo. One can say she was converted into a telephone, which is how Dr. Seward describes her functions, “same power that compels her silence may compel her speech”

Stoker and Shelly demonstrate the attitudes of the scientist towards technology. The scientist in the novel use technology to control information in both of these stories. This can be based upon gender differences or one own sense of superiority. One can view technology in the literal sense, such as the phonograph. The original purpose of newly created machines of this era was not to use it as an everyday appliance, but were devices appropriate only for professional purposes. Stoker presents the Phonograph in the story to illustrate this idea. In Dracula one can see this with Dr. Seward when he states “I can complete my entry on Lucy’s phonograph.”(194). From the passage one can notice the sense that technology is to be controlled by a male, which signifies itself in the portrayal of male control over information. In the novel only two characters possess this machine, Dr. Seward and Lucy who are of opposite gender. Dr. Seward uses his Phonograph for professional use, such as his clinical records and this is noticed form the passage. On the other hand, Lucy never uses the Phonograph for any given reason, which gives no purpose to her having one. This is further demonstrated by Dr. Seward when he uses Lucy’s Phonograph, stated from the quote, “my entry on Lucy’s phonograph” He does this for one of his clinical analysis. In doing so, Dr. Seward’s voice is kept in

Dracula is the scientist character who uses technology as a tool for control in the novel. What enables him to have control is through the power of sound and can be seen in the novel, “Somewhere high overhead, probably on the tower, I heard the voice of the Count calling in his harsh, metallic whisper. His call seemed to be answered from far and wide by the howling of wolves.”(Stoker 61). The words “harsh” and “metallic” stand out from this passage due to the machine like characteristics given to Dracula. This gives an image that Dracula itself is a technological remediation. From the quote the power can be seen in various manners, such as the ability to communicate long distance through mediums or to experience what the mediums are going through, which can be done at any time. Jonathan Harker description of Dracula’s voice presents him as a tool of technology. Stoker portrays Dracula as a metallic machine similar to the phonograph to indicate the possible manipulation that could be done by humans who possess advance technology. One can make a comparison between Dracula, if seen as a machine, and the Phonograph. The purpose of phonograph is to aid humanity while Dracula’s is the complete opposite since it wants to manipulate its human counterpart. Their similarity lies in their ultimate objective, the preservation of their immortality. The way