Bram Stokers Dracula :: Bram Stoker Dracula Essays

Bram Stoker's Dracula In act 2 scene 6 and act 3 scene 6 of the play ‘Dracula’, the playwrite creates impressive tension by using spine-chilling, ghostly settings, and slyly showing us situations in which characters such as vampires, prey on vulnerable characters such as Mina. Also, he uses soliloquies to give the opposing character no power. Also, by using soliloquies in these scenes he gives the point of view from the weak characters’ eyes. Firstly, the playwrite creates impressive tension by using shadowy, ghostly settings. This is shown in the line â€Å"she took me through the abbey and into the churchyard†, from act 2 scene 6. Act 2 scene 6 is set in the graveyard. Lucy is at home in the graveyard when she says â€Å"I like it here, don’t you ? Among the dead. It’s so peaceful†. This creates a creepy atmosphere as at night time humans avoid visiting graveyards. Also, in this scene the child is shown to be scared by saying, â€Å"It’s dark† and â€Å"I ought to go home now.† The setting could be improved by adding tomb-stones and mysterious dark shapes in the background. Act 3 scene 6 is set in Jonathan’s bedroom at night. Mina says in the play â€Å"flowers of garlic were hung from the window frames†, which suggests she was scared of Dracula. She also has a crucifix on the table. Mina says â€Å"the night air touched my face†, setting a ghostly scene. The setting could be improved by having Dracula bursting his way in through a locked door. This would cause shock and increase the feeling of tension. Secondly, the playwrite creates tension by showing us situations in which characters prey on other characters. In act 2 scene 6 Lucy is preying on a child. She talks sympathetically in the line â€Å"Do you want to go for a walk?† The child has not really been given any choice by Lucy, but to accompany her. She then takes him to the graveyard and sits him on a bench and lulls him to sleep. When the child is asleep, Lucy bends over him and intends to do some harm. Luckily Seward and Van Helsing are there to stop her. You could improve this scene by making the child more reluctant to go with Lucy, thus creating more tension. In act 3 scene 6 Dracula preys on Mina, who is vulnerable and he thinks she will go with him easily. He uses persuasion at first in the quotes â€Å"No need to fear me, it is our destiny to walk together† and â€Å"I bring you life†. It does not work