Dr. Seward’s blind rationalism in Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897)

Type :

Book review

Pages :

8 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

01/15/2009

Category :

Philosophy & literature

Sub category :

Literature

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Summary :

Abstract.
Introduction.
Evidence paragraphs.
1. Seward as the radically modern scientist.
2. Irony in Seward's portrayal.
3. Van Helsing's Criticism of Seward's Blind Materialism.
4. Seward's rejection of Van Helsing's theories.
5. Consequences of Seward's blind rationalism.
6. Stoker's overall message about science.
Refutation of Blinderman's 'Vampurella: Darwin and Count Dracula' (1980).
Results.
Works cited.

Abstract

seward, young British physician and unreliable narrator, embodies late-Victorian scientism and rationalism in bram stoker's dracula. Irony in seward's portrayal reveals much of the author's criticism of the late-Victorian scientific establishment. Although seward sees himself as radically modern, stoker highlights his conventional conception of science which prevents him to understand dracula as a vampire. Through the British physician's relationship with both his former professor Van Helsing and his lunatic patient Renfield, stoker derides his character's arrogance and inability to understand the supernatural. The novel denounces seward's blind rationalism but celebrates Van Helsing's good use of both modern and old knowledge. dracula is therefore a severe criticism of late-Victorian scientists' reductionist materialism and disdain for religion and occultism but the novel does not reject modern science and technology per se.