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why does dracula want mina

by Ms. Ernestina DuBuque Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Why does Dracula want Mina? Its generally believed that Dracula targets one of the heroines (Mina Harker

Jonathan Harker

Jonathan Harker is a fictional character and one of the main protagonists of Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic horror novel Dracula. His journey to Transylvania and encounter with the vampire Count Dracula and his Brides at Castle Dracula constitutes the dramatic opening scenes in the n…

in particular) because he thinks she is his reincarnated wife from their previous life, that probably committed suicide when she learned false reports that he died while fighting the Ottomans just like in (once again) Bram Stoker

Bram Stoker

Abraham "Bram" Stoker was an Irish author, best known today for his 1897 Gothic novel Dracula. During his lifetime, he was better known as the personal assistant of actor Sir Henry Irving, and business manager of the Lyceum Theatre in London, which Irving owned.

’s Dracula.

Its generally believed that Dracula targets one of the heroines (Mina Harker in particular) because he thinks she is his reincarnated wife from their previous life, that probably committed suicide when she learned false reports that he died while fighting the Ottomans just like in (once again) Bram Stoker's Dracula.Nov 5, 2013

Full Answer

Why Do You Want Mina-Centric Dracula Then?

What is Mina in Dracula?

Why Is This Happening?

What does the epilogue say about Mina?

Why did we decide to hide things from Mina?

How did Sherlock Holmes become mainstream?

Is Mina more proactive than Lucy?

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Why does Dracula choose Lucy?

In the novel, Lucy was turned into a vampire by Dracula for no clear reason, however, in the tv series, she is turned into a vampire by Dracula for betraying her ex-best friend, Mina Murray; by sleeping with Mina's then-fiancé, Jonathan Harker. Lucy lost her virginity to Jonathan in "Come to Die".

Is Dracula in love with Mina in the book?

It was the first adaptation of the novel, where Dracula showed some romantic feelings for her, including kissing her on the lips and saying to the men in the play that she would become his consort.

What did Dracula do to Mina?

Mina and Jonathan join the coalition around Abraham Van Helsing, who now turn their attentions to destroying the Count. After Dracula learns of this plot against him, he takes revenge by visiting - and biting - Mina at least three times. Dracula also feeds Mina his blood, destining her to become a vampire at her death.

Does Dracula seduce Mina?

Dracula "seduces" both Lucy and Mina. In the former case, he suggestively "penetrates" Lucy's neck while Lucy, who had been sleepwalking, is sprawled over a mossy embankment, outside. With Mina, Dracula is found forcing Mina to suck Dracula's own blood from a cut in his abdomen.

Who is Dracula's true love?

When he seduces Karen, he knows he has found true love. He tells Karen that he loves her and he cannot let her become one of the living dead. So he commits suicide by thrusting a wooden stake into his own heart and before he dies, he utters her name, "Karen...".

Why did Dracula turn Mina into a vampire?

In order to protect her, Dr. Van Helsing suggests that Mina should be kept out of their conflict with Dracula, to which her husband and the other men agree. Soon, Dracula drinks her blood and forces her to drink his, thus beginning to transform her into a vampire.

Why did Mina not turn into a vampire?

She's cured. She's been marked by Darkness for weeks, bearing the red mark of the Host on her forehead where it had burnt her when they tried to bless her with it. After Dracula is defeated and killed, at the cost of Quincy's life, this red mark disappears. She's cleansed of the evil of vampirism.

Is Mina a reincarnation of Dracula's wife?

Mina was portrayed by American actress Winona Ryder in Bram Stoker's Dracula, the 1992 Francis Ford Coppola film adaptation of the book, in which she is portrayed as the reincarnation of Dracula's centuries-dead wife, Elisabeta.

Why does Van Helsing want Mina?

When Van Helsing visits Mina in order to discuss the events leading up to Lucy's death, she is so impressed that she gives him Jonathan's diary to read.

Did Dracula love his wives?

The vampire women claim that Dracula does not love them, nor has he ever loved them, but Dracula insists he does love them and shows he cares for them by providing them with victims to feed upon.

Who does Mina marry in Dracula?

The book closes with a note written 7 years after these events about Mina's and Jonathan's married life and the birth of their first-born son, whom they name Quincey in remembrance of their American friend Quincey Morris, who was killed by Dracula's Szgany minions during the final confrontation.

What is the connection between Mina and Dracula?

Useful Connection. Although Mina and her companions are all disturbed about her connection with Count Dracula, they discover one element of this connection that proves useful. Each day there are two times that Mina seems to reawaken to some semblance of her former self.

What happened to Dracula and Mina?

At last, all three parties of hunters come together. Dracula is encountered and destroyed in the same manner as the vampire Lucy, and instantly turns to ancient dust. The three sisters meet the same fate.

What is the final mission of Dracula?

Final Mission. Morris and Seward follow the river toward the Carpathians on horseback, Harker and Arthur by steamship, and Van Helsing and Mina over land by carriage. As the last pair near Dracula's home, Mina is more strongly affected than ever, growing weaker and refusing to eat. Return to Transylvania. Snow comes in heavily, and the horses all ...

How does Van Helsing protect Mina?

One day, before the men set out to find the Count out in the daylight, Van Helsing attempts to protect Mina by touching a Sacred Wafer to her forehead. She screams as it burns painfully into her flesh. All then know that she is now unclean like the vampire and his kin.

What chapter does Mina Harker go to destroy Dracula?

Until Chapter 21, Mina Harker has been on the outside of the quest to destroy Dracula, as the men in the group of friends determined she should be protected. Everyone agrees, including the reader, that she is one of the most honest, caring and intelligent characters in the story.

What is Mina Harker's role in Dracula?

Mina Harker's involvement with Dracula creates an emotional and human dimension to the final destruction of the vampire. Throughout her ordeal, this brave woman uses all her abilities, including her telepathic connection with the monster, to aid the group of men who love her.

What did Mina dream about?

Mina then tells the group of her experience, beginning with dreams of vampires, blood, and death. A mist entered her room and materialized into the evil Dracula, who angrily threatened to kill the sleeping Jonathan if Mina made a sound. He drank from her neck, and she from the wound on his chest.

What is the second half of Dracula about?

Indeed, the entire second half of the novel concerns the issue of Mina’s purity. Stoker creates suspense about whether Mina, like Lucy, will be lost. Given that Dracula means to use women to access the men of England, Mina’s loss could have terrifying repercussions.

Does Mina have a sexual desire?

Mina’s sexuality remains enigmatic throughout the whole of Dracula. Though she marries, she never gives voice to anything resembling a sexual desire or impulse, which enables her to retain her purity. Indeed, the entire second half of the novel concerns the issue of Mina’s purity.

Is Mina a new woman?

Though resourceful and intelligent enough to conduct the research that leads Van Helsing’s crew to the count, Mina is far from a “New Woman” herself. Rather, she is a dutiful wife and mother, and her successes are always in the service of men. Mina’s moral perfection remains as stainless, in the end, as her forehead.

What does Dracula say about the men?

But perhaps the most ominous words, sounding like a judging triumphant voice, come in Dracula’s explanation of the events and the cause of his attack, as he says that the men “should have kept their energies for use closer to home” (Ibid 306).

What is Mina fascinated by?

Initially Mina is fascinated by the pair of red eyes that shine in the dark, but horror overcomes her when she recalls the three female vampires Jonathan encountered back in Transylvania and Dracula’s castle.

Why is Dracula's attack blurry?

Not only because the attack is implied to have taken place over a period of several nights, as Dracula tells Mina “it is not the first time, or the second, that your veins have appeased my thirst!” (Stoker 2003, 306), but also because the events that lead to this attack are similarly hazy.

What is the first image the men notice when they enter the room?

The first image the men notice when they enter the room is “the white-clad figure of [Mina] … [and] a tall, thin man, clad in black” (Ibid 300), a rather obvious image of a bride and a groom. Furthermore, Mina’s white clothes are covered in blood, a sign implying consummation of the unholy union.

Why was Dracula obsessed with Mina?

So people assume because of the movies Dracula was obsessed with Mina because she was supposedly the reincarnation of his dead wife but I disagree. I think he was just a psycho stalker who just wanted her to add to his harem.

Does Dracula care about Mina?

In the novel Dracula doesn't care about Mina at all. He isn't even initially interested in her, but her friend Lucy. He only infects Mina as a way to spite and slow the efforts of Van Helsing and company.

Why does Dracula attack Mina?

Dracula attacks Mina to (1) get revenge on his hunters all of whom care deeply for her and (2) to put her in his power so he can spy on them.

Who does Dracula go after?

In the novel Dracula goes after Mina out if a desire to hurt Johnathan, Holmwood, Morris, Seward, and Van Helsing.

What happened to Mina and Harker when they returned?

When Mina and Harker return they are shocked to hear of Lucy's death and Johnathan sees Dracula and tells Mina what happened to him in Transylvania. Mina finds Van Helsing and tells him the story and they are able to figure out that

How does Vlad become a vampire?

And from the cross and other religious figures blood starts to flow. Vlad takes up a cup and fills it with the blood and drinks it. Basically becoming a Vampire in the process.

What happens after Dracula is defeated?

After Dracula is defeated and killed, at the cost of Quincy’s life, this red mark disappears. She’s cleansed of the evil of vampirism.

Who wrote Dracula chapter 21?

Chapter 21 of Dracula by Bram Stoker, courtesy of Gutenberg Press: The Project Gutenberg eBook of Dracula, by Bram Stoker.

Does Lucy have sleepwalking disorder?

Other than Lucy’s gentle personality, she sometimes suffer from sleep-walking disorder during the night like her late father. Her sleep-walking would sometimes bring her outside the house in her night gown and finds her hands, feet and clothes dirty for all the walking and other activities that she has been doing outdoors while her mind is still in a state of slumber. So one evening, while Lucy was fast asleep in her bedroom with Mina also sleeping inside the room (Mina is visiting the Westenra family), her sleep-walking disorder manifests.

Why Do You Want Mina-Centric Dracula Then?

Mina in the novel has a crucial role which was never portrayed in any of the adaptations, so making her the emotional and intellectual center of the group would refresh how people perceive Dracula. Also, Mina gets to have two battles – against Dracula, and against the men surrounding her. The latter would be a pitch to those who despise the conservative depiction of Mina in the novel.

What is Mina in Dracula?

For example, in Dracula (1932), Mina is a naive daughter of Dr.Seward who is easily seduced by the exotic count, and ignores Van Helsing’s instructions. Mina does not fare any better in Horror of Dracula (1958); in this Hammer Horror flick, Mina is a wife of Arthur Holmwood, who unwittingly lets Dracula into her house. In any other movie, Mina never plays major role in the destruction of Dracula as described in the novel. In Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), Mina is a tragic heroine who falls in love with a random guy she sees on the street (who turns out to be Dracula, of course). I do not really need to give much examples here. Just grab a random Dracula-based movies, and you will never see that Mina who fights against Dracula.

Why Is This Happening?

Dracula gained the fame as the undying vampire king, almost like Satan in terms of charisma. If such a figure is to be defeated by a victim, the audiences may not find him threatening (at least that would be what the creators seem to think). In addition to this, the picture of iron-willed vampire hunter vs the evil vampire king is still the popular picture. This led to the emphasis on Van Helsing and other vampire killer characters.

What does the epilogue say about Mina?

Despite Mina’s contribution, the male protagonists treat her as if she is a helpless damsel- they appreciate her contribution, but order Mina to stay home while they are out to hunt Dracula, and Jonathan Harker’s epilogue states that Mina should be thankful for their service for her and completely ignores Mina’s crucial contribution to the destruction of Dracula. Considering that many Dracula reinterpretations pretty much bend the accounts in novel for their preference (the most common school of thought is that the most of the characters’ thoughts in the novel are not what they really meant…), it would not be impossible to imagine Mina being frustrated with how men treats her but hides it in her diaries. It will also be interesting to see how Mina tries to protect herself despite the men’s ineffectual protections. After all, Dracula was successful in invading Mina’s bedroom although the Van Helsing and others have already experienced the same attack on Lucy. Perhaps Mina will have an open confrontation with the men, especially with Van Helsing or Seward, regarding how they are approaching the Dracula matter and play lead role as a result.

Why did we decide to hide things from Mina?

Book can be renamed ‘We decided to hide things from Mina in order to protect her and now we are REALLY screwed until Mina saved us.

How did Sherlock Holmes become mainstream?

We have seen similar attempts made with Sherlock Holmes – by focusing on his eccentricities and anti-social behavior, Sherlock managed to paint the updated picture of Sherlock Holmes and made it mainstream . The new depiction of Sherlock Holmes based on the aspect not familiar to the public helped to revive people’s interest in the detective and launched another boom in Sherlockian tradition. I believe it is about the time with Dracula.

Is Mina more proactive than Lucy?

Mina still does get a point for being more proactive than other victims of her time. Lucy is an interesting character too, because she was sometimes considered “opposite” of Mina. It is rather ridiculous that some scholars consider Lucy more feminist character than Mina because Lucy wanted to marry all three men… To be honest, I sometimes read Dracula criticism to see how far the scholars can go. It was also amusing to learn that Neil Gaiman thought Quincey Morris was either Dracula’s henchman or the Count himself when he read Dracula as a child (see Gaiman’s introduction for New Annotated Dracula by Leslie S Klinger)

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Who Is Mina?

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Mina is often regarded as “That second victim the good guys managed to save”, or love interest for Dracula. However, Mina is actually the main architect in Dracula’s downfall. It was Mina who organized the different accounts, such as diaries and newspaper clippings regarding strange happenings to make sense of the situatio…
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What Is The Problem?

  • Despite the crucial role Mina played in the downfall of Dracula, her role was downplayed in…virtually all the adaptations except in Nosferatuand its remake. In that remake, the character based on Mina lures Count Orlock (Dracula) and destroys him by making him stay till the sunrise, which resulted in her death as well. Other than that…well, she was typical damsel in distress, or l…
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Why Is This Happening?

  • The most obvious reason for downplaying Mina’s role would be Dracula himself. He is the titular character, and the star of the story. Dracula gained the fame as the undying vampire king, almost like Satan in terms of charisma. If such a figure is to be defeated by a victim, the audiences may not find him threatening (at least that would be what the creators seem to think). In addition to t…
See more on the-artifice.com

Why Do You Want Mina-Centric Dracula then?

  • Mina in the novel has a crucial role which was never portrayed in any of the adaptations, so making her the emotional and intellectual center of the group would refresh how people perceive Dracula. Also, Mina gets to have two battles – against Dracula, and against the men surrounding her. The latter would be a pitch to those who despise the conserv...
See more on the-artifice.com

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