Vampire Logic
Throughout Dracula, the stakes are often raised to nail-biting degrees of tension.
However, in order to adequately grasp each moment of drastic severity, you have to understand the internal logic that the novel develops—the logic of the vampire.
This unfolds throughout the novel, as the characters discover the nature of this creature themselves. But I thought it’d be helpful to spell out the logic in its entirety here.
A Primer on Vampire Logic
Birth & Death of the Vampire -
How to Become a Vampire - once bitten by a vampire, you are doomed to become a vampire upon your death, unless the vampire that bit you is killed prior to your passing.
How to Kill a Vampire - a wooden stake through the heart will do it. For good measure, it doesn’t hurt to also sever its head and stuff its mouth with garlic cloves.
Killing a vampire releases the soul of the person who was once a victim themselves and turned into such a foul beast.
The Vampire’s Baptism in Blood - this occurs when a vampire forces its victim to drink the vampire’s own blood. This creates a hypnotic link between the vampire and its victim, and the victim begins to transform into a vampire even prior to death.
Special Abilities -
Vampire Strength - vampires are really strong.
Climbing - Dracula climbs down and up the sides of his castle walls several times, like a beetle climbing a tree.
Shape-Shifting - when advantageous, Dracula takes the form of a large dog, a huge bat, and even a mist. He can shift his shape at will into any of them.
Influence over Wolves, Rats, and Other Animals - Dracula is able to wield special influence over other animals.
Weaknesses -
Sunlight - Dracula doesn’t glitter when exposed to, nor is he destroyed by, sunlight. It merely weakens him. That’s all.
Rejuvenation by Blood - the vampire doesn’t eat, but it does need blood. Dracula appears old and withered at times, young and strong at others. He fluctuates depending on whether or not he’s recently satisfied his thirst.
Holiness - the vampire is an unholy creature. Therefore, any element infused with holiness is repulsive and dangerous to it, including crucifixes, holy water, and Van Helsing’s favorite—wafers (the bread element of communion).
Garlic - the vampire hates garlic. That’s why garlic clove necklaces are both stylish and safe.
Entrance to a House - the vampire cannot enter a house unless it has first been invited in. Once it’s received the first invitation, it can come and go as it pleases.
Dr. Seward’s home is located within the same building as his asylum, which hosts the patient, Renfield. That situation makes this attribute very significant later on.
Sleep - in addition to blood, the vampire needs sleep. Vampires often sleep during the day, and once asleep, they’re completely unable to awaken or move until the sleep ends naturally.
Soil - in order to sleep, the vampire needs soil from its native land. Therefore, Dracula needs Transylvania soil in order to sleep. Without it, he’s hopeless.
Water - vampires have a limited ability to cross running water; they can only do so at low and high tides. Otherwise, they need to be carried across by others. This is why Dracula can’t just fly away across the ocean; he’s unable to.
May this short treatise on vampire logic provide you with a worthy manual as you strive to enjoy this novel, and to understand the true nature of this vile, monstrous creature.
Perhaps one day, in addition to your life, it may even save your eternal soul.
Enjoy!