Suspense in Bram Stokers Epistolary Novel Dracula

Suspense in Bram Stokers Epistolary Novel Dracula Bram Stoker uses the epistolary narrative to create suspense in Dracula by drawing the reader into the personal lives (through the characters diary entries and letters) and allowing him to experience the events of the novel on an intimate level. Each character provides a first-hand, first-person perspective, unique for that specific characters sex, level of education, profession, and state in life, as well as for that characters ability to create an atmosphere of dread through description of the scene. This paper will show how the different characters use their own experiences to create suspense in Stokers Dracula. The novel is subtitled a A Mystery Story, and each chapter is a portion of one of the characters journal, diary or letter, providing clues as to the nature of Dracula and how to thwart his evil intentions. The story begins with Jonathan Harkers journal, which is conveniently recorded in shorthand (1), giving the narrative a quick pace and a personal touch. Harker includes mental notes such as, Mem., get recipe for Mina, while noting the details of his dinner, which establishes his connections/relationships, status in life, etc., without much interrupting the narrative flow. Before the reader realizes it, he is immersed in the diarists life. It is through Harkers journal that the reader is introduced to Dracula and his somewhat mysterious behavior. Harkers impressions provide the reader with aShow MoreRelatedAn Analysis of Bram Stokers Dracula885 Words   |  4 PagesBram Stoker’s Dracula is the story about how the small company of men and a woman lead by Professor Abraham Van Helsing combats against Count Dracula, who moves from Transylvania to England in order to manipulate people as â€Å"foul things of the night like him, without heart or conscience, preying on the bodies and the souls of those [they] love best† (223). Stoker employs an epistolary format in this novel and nowadays, Dracula becomes one of popular literary works representing epistolary novels written