Count Dracula
Overview
Count Dracula is a Transylvanian nobleman who lives alone in his castle in Transylvania. He is a pale, slim looking man. He has the ability to change into a wolf or a bat when he chooses. He can also travel in a mist; however, even though he has great power, he does have some weaknesses. He cannot enter a house without being invited and he can only sleep on his homeland's soil. He is also vulnerable to religious symbols and other items such as crucifixes, garlic, flowers and wafers. He has Jonathan Harker come visit him to discuss the situation of Dracula's move to London; however, his move to London has another purpose: to take over London.
Dracula as the Anti-Christ
Dracula can be considered the Anti-Christ. He can be considered this because of what his name means. Dracula has a root of Dracul, which means dragon or devil. This fits Dracula because he has his evil plots to take over London. Also he can be the Anti-Christ because of the ethical crimes that Dracula commits. Van Helsing calls his group "ministers of God's own wish" and "we go out as the old knights of the Cross to redeem more." (Stoker 340) This shows that Van Helsing and his group are fighting against the Anti-Christ as God's servants.
Dracula's Struggle To Survive
Dracula's plan to take over London is also part of his self-preservation plan. Because he is technically undead, he cannot die, except if he has a stake driven through his heart and decapitated. But he still needs sustenance. That is why he goes to London. However, he is still fearful of death; this is why he must die at the end of the novel. However when he does finally die at the end of the novel he looks at peace. This is because he has been under the Vampirism curse and the only way that he was going to be at peace was for him to die.
Dracula and His Powers
Dracula has many amazing powers. He is able to turn into a bat or a wolf, as well as command wolves. One of his more useful powers is that he has control over his victims. This is seen clearly when he attacks Lucy. After she is attacked, she has no control over herself in his presence. She does whatever he bids of her. This power also shows that his victims are reborn. After the first time that he bites his victims, they become a new person. A person with a human side that still acts how it did before being bitten. Then another side that is controlled and influenced by Dracula. Once his victims die from his bites, they are reborn as vampires, just like Dracula. His victims then can be considered his children because he has complete influence over their mind and actions.