The novel “Dracula, ” authored by Bram Stoker (1987), explores the theme of madness and sanity. The author elaborates ideas and emotions through various characters” actions to pass the different messages. Throughout the novel, every character experience some mental instability or behavior that makes readers perceive they are mad. On the contrary, the characters in the book experience unexplainable contact with supernatural beings, which they cannot prove with the technology at that time, leading All characters to question their sanity in their activities. An important character Johnathan Harker plays a fundamental role in understanding the concept of sanity and madness through his actions. There is vital evidence that Harker is a madman; moreover, there is also proof that he is insane.
Hacker is a hardworking and contentious English Solicitor at the novel’s beginning. The author portrays Hacker as a protagonist character sent to Transylvania to advise an antagonist character, Count Dracula, on business ideas. Stoker describes Dracula as an odd individual living a weird life. Hacker is disturbed by Dracula’s eccentricities, unusual appearances, and predatory behaviors during his short time at Dracula castle (Bloom, 12). After conducting some investigation, Hacker is shocked when he discovers that Dracula spends the nights stealing infants from the neighborhood. Also, Hacker discerns that Dracula sleeps in a crypt coffin during the daytime Hacker fears his life and escapes the Dracula Castle to free himself from captivity.
When Hacker travels to the Dracula castle, he is kept as a prisoner in Dracula. It causes Jonathan to develop visions of Dracula as a bat. Jonathan believes that his confinement in prison led to his insanity. “Doors, doors, doors everywhere, and all locked and bolted. In no place save from the windows in the castle walls is there an available exit. The castle is a veritable prison, and I am a prisoner! ” (Stoker, 24). Jonathan believes that his reactions resemble a rat in a trap as he stays in prison. “When I look back after a few hours, I think I must have been mad for the time, for I behaved much as a rat does in a trap” (Stoker, 25). As a prisoner, Jonathan developed wild feelings and would rush up and down the stairs to try and peer out all doors and windows to get freedom, but his helplessness overcame his desire for freedom. Also, while in prison, Jonathan seeks to keep his brain sane due to the activities and happenings. “So far as I can see, my only plan will be to keep my knowledge and fears to myself and my eyes open. I am, I know, either being deceived, like a baby, by my fears, or else I am in desperate straits, and if the latter be so, I need and shall need, all my brains to get through”. (Stoker, 25) Jonathan wishes to remain sane during his stay with the Count. Jonathan fears other people thinking he is mad.
Jonathan is a lawyer who is young and hardworking. Harker’s responsibility is praised by his employer that allows Jonathan to continue with his responsibility in his professional life. Harker has a fiancée, Mina, who he loves and is happy being together, and therefore, although he faces temptations with the three vampires in the castle, he does not give in to the attractions. Despite the frightening occurrences in the palace, Harker remains calm and does not allow the events to break his sanity. When Jonathan realizes that he will be meeting with the Count on an evil day, he does not postpone the meeting. Jonathan, however, admits the uncomfortable feeling he has. At the same time, on the journey, ” It was all very ridiculous, but I did not feel comfortable. However, there was business to be done, and I could allow nothing to interfere with it.” (Stoker, 5). The innkeeper requests Jonathan to cancel the meeting due to the knowledge of the distressful events that occurred on the watch of the Count.
However, Jonathan realizes the concern of the innkeeper when Harker continues to write the diary while on the coach. “Whether it is the old lady’s fear, or the many ghostly traditions of this place, or the crucifix itself, I do not know, but I am not feeling nearly as easy in my mind as usual.” (Stoker, 6). Jonathan’s danger while in the castle pushes him to madness. For example, Dracula does not care about Jonathan when he takes Jonathan hostage. Dracula tells the vampires that they will have their freedom with Jonathan when Dracula is done with him. “Well, now I promise you that when I am done with him, you shall kiss him at your will.” (Stoker, 35). The horrific events overcome Jonathan and cause him to sink into unconsciousness.
In his journal, Jonathan finds it challenging to differentiate the events of Count carrying him. The difficulty in determining reality and dreams is due to Jonathan’s difficulty conceiving the rational beliefs of being honest. The fear of Dracula finding the journal is evident when Harker is happy that Dracula did not see Harker’s diary in his pocket. “If it was that the Count carried me here and undressed me, he must have been hurried in his task, for my pockets are intact. I am sure this diary would have been a mystery that he would not have brooked. He would have taken or destroyed it.” (Stoker, 36)
Themes in a story help communicate and connect with the book’s readers. The theme of madness and insanity in the novel is important because it helps keep the characters’ belief that the castle has unnatural things. For example, Jonathan is a character through which madness is seen. The theme of madness and insanity helps support the main themes of superstition since it involves strange events in the castle. Madness and insanity occur throughout the novel and in many characters such as Harker, Renfield, Van Helsing, and Seward. Through Jonathan’s journals, the event of madness help explain the confusion from events such as Dracula undressing Harker.
Works Cited
Bloom, Clive. “Introduction: The Black Shadow of Doom.” The Palgrave Handbook of Steam Age Gothic, 2021, pp. 1-24.
Stoker, Bram. Dracula. 1897.
