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Which theme does this excerpt from Bram Stokers Dracula reflect?

Dracula by Bram Stoker (excerpt)
In his life, his living life, he go over the Turkey frontier and attack his enemy on his own ground; he be beaten back, but did he stay? No! He come again, and again, and again. Look at his persistence and endurance. With the child-brain that was to him he have long since conceive the idea of coming to a great city.
A. rationality versus superstition
B. good versus evil
C. foreign invasion
D. love and sexuality
E. madness or insanity

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The excerpt from Bram Stoker's Dracula reflects the theme of good versus evil, with a subtle undercurrent of foreign invasion, as it describes Dracula's tireless attempts to overcome his enemies and manifest his intentions in a great city.

Step-by-step explanation:

The excerpt from Bram Stoker's Dracula showcases the theme of good versus evil. The description of Dracula's tenacity and unwavering determination, as he crosses the Turkey frontier to attack his enemy and comes 'again, and again, and again' despite being beaten back, can be read as a metaphor for the broader struggle between opposing forces—a central trope in Gothic literature. The thematic undercurrent of Dracula's persistence mirrors the human fight against darkness and evil. Furthermore, the notion that Dracula 'go over the Turkey frontier' hints at the theme of foreign invasion, stressing the fear and anxiety engendered by the unknown or unfamiliar, which can also include the supernatural invasion embodied by the vampire.

In the Victorian context of Dracula, there is also an implicit reflection on rationality versus superstition. While Dracula as a character represents ancient superstitions and pre-modern beliefs, his opposition—typically the group of protagonists led by Van Helsing—represents the modern, rational approach to the world. This conflict is seen throughout the novel as the characters use science and reason to confront the supernatural powers of Dracula. Despite this, the selected excerpt primarily emphasizes Dracula's relentless aggression and invasion, which guides us back to the theme of good versus evil, with the underlying narrative of foreign invasion subtly woven in.

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