Although Dracula was written in 1897 for readers in Queen

Victorias England, it remains popular today. Every year a

new Dracula based film or TV show is made somewhere in the
world and millions of people read the book. How do you
account for the novels enduring popularity?

Bram Stokers Dracula is an illustrious and notable novel, which has been
appreciated by a wide variety of audiences. It has had been read and studied
by different people from various societal contexts, from members of Victorian
England to modern, reputable scholars. Dracula has spawned numerous
other book appropriations as well as film adaptations. Over one hundred
years after it was first published this remains an engrossing read. Perhaps the
reason why the novel has survived through the ages is due to its enduring
popularity, which can be attributed to a number of reasons.

The fascination with the unknown has always been present. Mankind has
always feared as well as relished the idea of the supernatural and mystical.
The vampire, which is the main figure in Stokers Dracula, is a prime example
of an otherworldly being, which has both horrified and thrilled people for
centuries. Vampires allow humans to explore darker, mostly hidden aspects of
themselves. With its earliest origins dating back to 18th century, the term
Vampyre originates from the folklore of the Balkans and Eastern Europe,
although stories have circulated for years before and came from all over
Europe. Many other cultures have had their own vampire lore, with each
conception of the vampire being unique. For instance, one type of Indian
vampire feeds on the livers of its victims, while a form of Japanese vampire
survives by consuming infants. As many other legendary creatures faded into
insignificance, the vampire managed to retain its grasp of human curiosity.
This is possibly why Dracula was so popular, and still is, because the idea of
vampires has enthralled humans for centuries, even today in the modern
world. For the majority of their history, the role that vampires have played has
been remarkably consistent across cultures. Regularly, the vampire served as
a means to explain people and situations that did not comply with social
expectations. In Romania, for example, women who resisted performing
traditional duties, such as caring for the family or tending crops, were thought
to be living vampires. Additionally, vampires were also blamed for the spread
of the plague throughout Europe. When greeted with disturbing, unexplainable
phenomena, it was easier to blame events on vampires than to live with the
unknown. The concept of the vampire has always been adaptable and has
allowed vampire lore to survive times of war, plague and other destructive
events, thus proving Draculas enduring nature.

The idea of vampires has always been popular and the myth has endured for
a great period of time. It launched as a symbol that instilled fear and
excitement into the hearts of readers but was still popular nonetheless.
However, it was Stokers Dracula that significantly popularised the term and
created the beginning of the vampire genre. He can be credited with providing
a romantic and seductive element to the creatures. Before, the act of drinking
anothers blood was borne out of necessity and had nothing to do with
sexuality or pleasure; a theme that is slightly alluded to in the novel. Although
there is this slight sexual side to the Counts actions in Dracula, there is still a
sinister and evil side to him that is expected of a vampire. Perhaps this is one
of the reasons for Draculas popularity. It provided a traditional but also
different view on the vampire and his motivations. It must have definitely
shocked as well as captivated readers. This also led to the creation of the
modern vampire, which saw the vampire character change to a handsome
and seductive person living among us. This modernization of the vampire
symbol greatly increased the popularity of the genre. Despite this new
romantic and suave vampire, people still reach for the book featuring the ever
enduring and traditional vampire, which is Stokers Dracula.

Another possible reason for Draculas immense and lasting popularity is
because it is almost like a time capsule containing the popular thoughts,
ideas, and beliefs of the Victorian era that illustrates an elaborate picture of
what society was like at the period in which it was written. This made it both
popular for readers of Victorian England, because it commented on their ideas
and values, as well as for modern audiences, as it allowed them a view into
that time period.

Bram Stokers Dracula has indeed survived the test of time, right from
Victorian times to the modern day. It is still studied and enjoyed by numerous
readers; also generating countless film and television shows based on the
novel. This is all due to its lasting impression on readers and enduring
popularity.