Last Dracula Post, Connector, Kianat Zamir
There are so many similarities and differences between the book Dracula and the movie. It’s relevant to know both about the book and the movie to be able to understand the book better and see what led to the differences between the book and the movie.
A main difference between them is that the movie is made to look like a romance and the novel is one more of action and dread. Whatdo you think is the purpose of Stoker starting out his novel with romance and then making it turn to action? Mina was obviously supposed to be a girl who looked like Dracula’s dead wife, so he wants to make her immortal, but it involves Jonathan who wants her back because he truly loves her, from this point Dracula and Jonathan with his 5 allies fight to get Mina back.
The two more obvious characters that differ in the movie and book are Mina and Dracula. In the novel, whenever Dracula enters Mina’s room Mina is afraid of him and Dracula is always angry and aggressive towards her but in the movie Dracula and Mina love each other even when she finds out that he is Dracula. What is your opinion on this, if it was the other way around for the book and movie which would you like better? why?
Also, the novel portrays Dracula as a character full of hatred, and anger and is related to the theme of death. But in the movie, Dracula is shown with emotions and feelings for Mina, who he loves and does not wish to condemn her to loving him. Does this somehow depict to us a theme of love that love can conquer all evil and can turn an inhumane creature human?
Sorry if you think the post is odd and random, I thought that at the end of the book it would be good to see how the movie and book relate even if you haven’t seen the movie!
-Kianat Zamir
Category: Connector 3 comments »
April 19th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Kianat, which movie are you talking about? There are many, many movies based off of Dracula.
As for your first question, I don’t think that Stoker ever intended to make Dracula a romance. If the part where Lucy and Mina are first introduced was the first part of the book, it might seem so. But because the book started with Harker meeting Dracula, I think the idea of Dracula as a romance novel was completely eliminated.
For your second question, it’s hard to say because I haven’t seen this movie. I think that if they gave Dracula feelings it would completely destroy the plot. Remember, Dracula’s soul was taken by the Devil. All benevolent emotions were most likely wiped away from his soul.
For your final question, I have to make a note that based on your description of the movie, it is a pretty poor adaptation of the book. The movie Van Helsing I think accurately describes Dracula’s character, even though it changes a lot of things around. In this film, Dracula says it himself that he doesn’t feel any emotion, even for his brides. I don’t think that the theme of the film can be used to describe the theme of the book. I always view the film as completely seperate from the book.
There’s my blog.
-Brandon
April 19th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I do not think your blog is weird. In fact, I am surprised that you did not bring up this point earlier of movie versus book!
To answer your first question: Sorry Kianat, but I must agree with Brandon on this. Stoker never intended this book to be a love story. It is more about loyalty than falling in love. Though in the beginning, he gave the impression of love with Jon and Mina, he was trying to show how much it would hurt either of them if the other was killed. Basically the love was the setup for the action and the book in the first place.
For your second question well, like Brandon (-sigh- again)I have never seen the movie. In fact I have never seen any vampire movies except Twilight, so it is kind of hard to answer your question accurately, but let me try. The movie of any book are usually poor representations because they are trying to make a movie that people will like not make a movie to be accurate. The book has more of an appeal to me (based off of your description of the movie). I like how Stoker puts Dracula in a position of power and makes the readers wanting to sympathise with him.
For your final question I think of Dracula as more of an id than a creature of anger and hatred. Though there were definitely scenes that showed these emotions in him, I do not believe that they were directed at anyone but himself for what happened to him. I suppose that is what the movie writers wanted the movie to represent though.
There is my last Dracula response!
-Jenni Kantor
April 19th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
I agree with everyone on the fact that this was not supposed to be a love story. Possibly a jelousy theme? If you look at Harker going to the castle; that may have all foreshadowed the meeting introduction of Mina to Dracula. He may have intentionally brought Harker to the castle becuase he was in love with Mina? I don’t consider this very possible though. And what Brandon said, I’m not sure there are many movies based off of Dracula but I do know that I have never seen one.
I am also sorry and have never seen the movie, but I do know that no vampire could ever have feelings!! This would ruin a horror film and make it into a chick flick. Oh wait, that is Twilight!! Now it makes sense…But yes, I think that the only way this makes sense is if Dracula is mean with no emotions. I know that is an oximoron, but I think that if the book was made into a love story, I would hate it forever.
As Brandon and Jenny have said, to answer your final question, the people who made the movie obviously did not take Mr. Shank’s class and have no idea how to interpret a book!! This book was not a love story, and the movie is a bad representation of it. Dracula can have no feelings, this would make him actually care. He is a blood sucking inhumane freak.
What Brandon said about the movie; I agree with him because movies are never made out like the book, and you cannot compare the themes; they are usually twisted in the movies anyway.
I am sorry that I did not see the movie. It would make this final blog much easier! Good idea though Kianat!
-Dan