cover of episode Listen Now: The Real History of Dracula

Listen Now: The Real History of Dracula

2024/10/29
logo of podcast American History Tellers

American History Tellers

Key Insights

Why did Bram Stoker's Dracula become such a sensation?

Stoker's novel was an elaborate synthesis of folklore, social commentary, and psychological thrills that melded legend with history and modern science with age-old nightmares.

Why do audiences still thrill to tales of the walking undead more than a century later?

Dracula is a treasure chest of themes and tropes that resonate with modern audiences, making it an amazing gothic thriller that continues to captivate readers and viewers.

Why did Bram Stoker draw on intensive research to write Dracula?

Stoker wanted to create a story that was grounded in ancient superstitions, medieval science, old religions, and forgotten ways of life, giving his novel a rich, historical foundation.

Why does Count Dracula smile when he hears the wolves howling?

Count Dracula views the wolves as 'children of the night' and finds their howling beautiful, reflecting his own connection to the dark and wild elements of nature.

Why did Jonathan Harker feel uneasy upon arriving at Count Dracula's castle?

Jonathan Harker felt uneasy due to the eerie atmosphere of the Carpathian Mountains, the cold night, and the strange, unsettling behavior of Count Dracula and his driver.

Shownotes Transcript

From the host of American History Tellers (Lindsay Graham) comes a new series that explores the history behind the story of Dracula, written by Bram Stoker at the end of the 19th century.

The roots of this legendary horror novel stretch far into the distant past…and deep into the human psyche. This podcast will reveal how Stoker melded ancient folklore and contemporary fiction. It will show how he exploited Victorian fears around sex, science and religion. And it will explain why even now we remain fascinated by his creatures of the night.

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