Compare/Contrast of Bram Stoker's Dracula and Polidori's the Vampyre
Comparison and Contrast of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Polidori’s The Vampyre
While Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Polidori’s The Vampyre share some minor details, mostly regarding the basics of vampires and the location and date in which the stories take place, the majority of the stories differ greatly. The Vampyre was published almost a hundred years earlier, so it is easy to see how some details of that story can be seen in Dracula. Bram Stoker no doubt must have used The Vampyre as an influence, but only as an influence, as his story has its own unique details regarding characters and plot. I will discuss how the stories of The Vampyre and Dracula begin in a similar fashion, and then explain how there are key differences in narration, characters, the vampire itself, and in the plot and ending. Polidori’s The Vampyre begins in London, and we are introduced to the main character, Aubrey, an orphaned Englishman who is left great wealthy by his late parents. We are also introduced to Lord Ruthven, a mysterious man whom everyone has a great deal of curiosity for. Lord Ruthven and Aubrey meet, and soon begin a trip through Europe together. It is only after some time has passed, and Aubrey is able to see that Lord Ruthven is of a negative character, that they part ways, as stated in the book: “Aubrey determined upon leaving one, whose character had not shown a single bright point on which to rest the eye” (Polidori, pg. 21). Soon, Aubrey learns that his old travelling companion is actually a vampire, and does everything he can, short of breaking his oath, to stop him from marrying and ruining his sister, like he has done before to many other females before her. In Dracula, Jonathan Harker is a young solicitor travelling to Transylvania to meet with Count Dracula, who is buying property in England. Harker is initially curious about Dracula, and wants to spend some time conversing with him to learn more about him and his homeland. After some time spent at Dracula’s
While Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Polidori’s The Vampyre share some minor details, mostly regarding the basics of vampires and the location and date in which the stories take place, the majority of the stories differ greatly. The Vampyre was published almost a hundred years earlier, so it is easy to see how some details of that story can be seen in Dracula. Bram Stoker no doubt must have used The Vampyre as an influence, but only as an influence, as his story has its own unique details regarding characters and plot. I will discuss how the stories of The Vampyre and Dracula begin in a similar fashion, and then explain how there are key differences in narration, characters, the vampire itself, and in the plot and ending. Polidori’s The Vampyre begins in London, and we are introduced to the main character, Aubrey, an orphaned Englishman who is left great wealthy by his late parents. We are also introduced to Lord Ruthven, a mysterious man whom everyone has a great deal of curiosity for. Lord Ruthven and Aubrey meet, and soon begin a trip through Europe together. It is only after some time has passed, and Aubrey is able to see that Lord Ruthven is of a negative character, that they part ways, as stated in the book: “Aubrey determined upon leaving one, whose character had not shown a single bright point on which to rest the eye” (Polidori, pg. 21). Soon, Aubrey learns that his old travelling companion is actually a vampire, and does everything he can, short of breaking his oath, to stop him from marrying and ruining his sister, like he has done before to many other females before her. In Dracula, Jonathan Harker is a young solicitor travelling to Transylvania to meet with Count Dracula, who is buying property in England. Harker is initially curious about Dracula, and wants to spend some time conversing with him to learn more about him and his homeland. After some time spent at Dracula’s