GCSE English-Creative Writing: Setting

In Dracula, Bram Stoker uses various techniques to create an immersive and chilling setting.

1. Location and Time

• Setting/Location:
  Dracula takes place in multiple locations, with the eerie and isolated Transylvanian castle being the most iconic. Later, the story moves to more familiar locations like London, but even these settings have a gothic, foreboding feel.
• Time/Period:
  The novel is set in the late 19th century (Victorian era), a time when society was transitioning between old superstitions and modernity, which adds tension and fear to the narrative.

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2. Sensory Details

• Sight:
  Stoker uses highly detailed visual imagery to describe Dracula’s castle:
  “The castle is on the very edge of a terrible precipice… with a deep valley beneath.”
  The towering and crumbling structure evokes danger and decay.
• Sound:
  Sounds in Dracula’s world are often described as eerie and unnatural, such as the wolves howling in the night:
  “The children of the night—what music they make!”
  This creates an unsettling atmosphere, reinforcing the gothic tone.
• Smell:
  There is often a contrast in scents: the fresh air of the countryside versus the rotting, decaying smells of Dracula’s lair, symbolising the corruption and death Dracula represents.
• Touch/Feel:
  Stoker frequently describes the cold, rough textures of the castle:
  “The walls were of massive stone, and… all seemed dark and cold.”
  This adds to the oppressive, claustrophobic atmosphere.
• Taste:
  Taste isn’t prominent in physical descriptions, but the metaphorical thirst for blood—Dracula’s need to consume—becomes a dominant theme, creating a feeling of hunger and predation.

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3. Mood and Atmosphere

• Mood:
  The settings in Dracula consistently create a mood of foreboding, suspense, and terror. The darkness of the castle, the stormy weather, and the looming shadows contribute to the story’s gothic horror.
• Atmosphere Reflection:
  Dracula’s castle is described as dark, cold, and isolated, reflecting a mood of danger and confinement that mirrors the psychological entrapment of the characters, particularly Jonathan Harker.

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4. Impact on Characters

• Character’s Reaction:
  The setting deeply affects the characters. Jonathan Harker feels trapped and terrified in the castle:
  “The castle is a veritable prison, and I am a prisoner!”
  This isolation amplifies his fear and vulnerability. Later in London, the fog and darkness help Dracula blend into society, while characters like Lucy are left feeling powerless.

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5. Symbolism in Setting

• Symbolism:
  Dracula’s castle symbolises the old world of superstition and danger, contrasting with modern London, which represents progress and rationality. The wild, untamed landscape of Transylvania reflects Dracula’s untamed nature, while the castle itself symbolises the barriers between life and death, as well as the hidden secrets Dracula keeps.

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6. Contrast and Juxtaposition

• Contrast:
  Stoker uses the contrast between the dark, isolated castle in Transylvania and the civilised world of London. Dracula moves from the wild to a city where he can hide more easily, showing the tension between old-world fear and modernity.

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7. Using Setting to Influence Plot

• Obstacles:
  The setting creates physical and psychological obstacles. The isolated castle traps Jonathan Harker, forcing him to navigate his own escape. In London, the fog and dark streets allow Dracula to remain hidden, making it difficult for the other characters to find and stop him.
• Plot Impact:
  The setting pushes the story forward. Dracula’s move from Transylvania to London raises the stakes as he spreads his influence. The castle’s secrets (like Dracula’s resting place) also fuel the plot’s development as the characters try to uncover his weaknesses.

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