Stoker context

• Homosexuality: Stoker was close to Henry Irving and was rumoured to have had an intense romantic relationship with him, although there is no definitive evidence of this
• Xenophobia: Wrote Dracula in 1890's at a time of Eastern invasion from Jewish and Eastern Europe

  -Increased fears of degeneration

  -Stoker was exposed to Victorian fears of immigration and the preservation of British identity
• Stoker saw faith as a powerful weapon against moral and supernatural corruption
• Victory over Dracula shows the importance of Christian religious ideals
• Stoker highlights the limitations of science
• Stoker employs superstition and religious motifs to encourage balance between ancient wisdom and science
• Superstition: Irish upbringing exposed him to traditional folklore and superstition making him open to supernatural themes
• Religion: includes catholic and protestant images showing he believes Christian ideals to be central to modern society
• Religion: Believes Christianity to be a central force in stabilising against moral decline