Van Helsing

Van Helsings imperfect English is in significant contrast to the perfect formulations of Count Dracula. Both characters are men of books and learning, devotees of esoteric knowledge. But the Count is shown to be concerned to master the language just as he wishes to master the new country. His precision in language is metaphorical reflection of his cunning and his will to dominate. Van Helsings speech, in many ways, is more closely related to the language of the group he leads. Draculas archaic and book-learnt speech is of another time; Van Helsing recognises his own imperfections in his speech. Thus, Stoker allows his characters language to convey personal identity, not just in the words they use, but also in their attitudes to language itself. Chapter 9 Van Helsing is only briefly introduced by Dr Seward, who calls him in, firs of all, as an expert in rare diseases. Van Helsing is seemingly arbitrary, a philosopher and a metaphysician, and one if the most advanced scientists of his day. Dr Seward has total confidence in his old master. Van Helsing has an open minded, strong nerves and a cool temper. He is resolute, self-possessed, and tolerant; he is also kind, true hearted and sympathetic. Stoker has created here the moral opposite of Count Dracula. But Van Helsing and Dracula have many qualities in common. Both are powerful and strong-willed; both are determined and resourceful. Both are dedicated to strange wisdom and esoteric philosophy. They both speak in terms of English that immediately characterise them as foreigners. The absolute distinction between them is apparent in the immediate and obvious impressions given of each character. Dracula is a fearsome, cruel and unsympathetic aristocratic; Van Helsing is a healer doing noble work for mankind. Chapter 13 Vans Helsing explanation of his strange humour King Laugh seems both idiosyncratic and profound. Van Helsing has a lively appreciation of the common impulse to laugh at the most inappropriate moments; he has a sense of the ridiculous and a sense of humour. This compassion for the tragicomically contradictions of the human condition makes him seem sympathetic and avuncular. There is a sense here that his wisdom sets him somewhat apart from the experience of the other characters because he is of an older generation. H speaks of his father-heart and his husband-heart when describing his feelings, emphasising his experience of life and roles he has played in caring for others. Chapter 16 Van Helsings belief in the Roman Catholic religion is revealed here more clearly than by the use of the crucifix in the earlier chapters. In sealing up Lucys tomb he makes sue of the Host brought especially from Amsterdam and permitted to him by an Indulgence. Although the others do not share the same religious views, they are appalled by Van Helsings apparently sacrilegious use of the symbol. The term Indulgence here, suggest that Helsing has been given permission by some church official of high authority to act in this way. Helsing, suing a symbol that is, as Dr Seward points out, the to him most sacred of things, impresses upon the men his sincerity of purpose. It also identifies him as the most religious character, the man with the strongest faith. As he is a Roman Catholic, this is not an insignificant aspect of the religious themes of then novel. Chapter 23 Another of Helsings similarities to Count Dracula emerges in this chapter. He has the power to hypnotise women, though in his case it is an act of healing in the service of their honourable quest. Van Helsing informs the other men of Draculas quest for advancement and power: Soldier, statesman, and alchemist He had a mighty brain and there was no branch of knowledge of his time that he did not essay. Chapter 24 Van Helsing is shown to be a man of the late nineteenth century, willing to embrace all its wonders, in using the phonograph to record a message for Jonathan Harker. Chapter 27 The last image of the novel is of Van Helsing, with the child on his knee in the manner of an avuncular grandfather, predicting the future and extolling the virtues of the beloved Mina Harker. He represents the

power of philosophy and wisdom faithfully pursued and righteously applied in the noble defence of the innocent and vulnerable. The child represents both innocence and the future, secured by the wise and courageous actions of the men. Helsing is confident the child will come to understand what sacrifices they made and how they were inspired by the love of a good woman. ----------------Van Helsing is the acceptable face of the foreigner in the novel. His language and his religion set him apart from the other characters, but his reputation and store of wisdom (old and new) recommend him. He is under personal obligation to his middle-class English pupil, whose trust is alone is enough to grant him entry to this society. His name is sometimes associated with an aristocratic background, but unlike the Germanic von, which implies an inherited social status, van in Dutch usually means from and locates a family to a place or region. Helsing, despite its ominous and diabolical sound, is related more generally to Scandinavian words for narrow waterway. This may be interpreted as an implication that this character is on the strait and narrow path, a righteous character. Van Helsing appears to be adept at presuming himself to other characters in ways that suit his purpose He is charming and frivolous with Lucy when examining her; serious and warm when greeting Mina as a married woman. He has a sense of humour and compassion: King Laugh is something he understands well. Mina gives the most detailed view of Van Helsing. Her clear impression is of a man of thought and power. In chapter 14, the adjectives she attached to his features convey his character: noble, resolute, sensitive, tender or stern. Van Helsing is the character who is able to bring in the weapons of superstition, as Stoker described the symbols of the Roman Catholic Church. There is no problem for him, as a metaphysician and scholar, in dealing with esoteric mysteries on an equal scientific basis with more mundane and explicable phenomena. This is the open-mindedness that Dr Seward admires but finds it difficult to adopt his own belief. Van Helsing is a champion of truth but accommodates knowledge of all kinds into his world of view. As he sys, a small truth; may be valuable, but it is not all the truth in the universe (Ch 14). It is suggested, in a very obscure manner, that Helsing may have lost his son to a vampire. He speaks at Lucys funeral of Arthur reminding him of his son. Near at the end, as he destroys the vampire women, he speaks of his motive for hate as something exceptional (Ch 27). This may be a rather speculative reading. In any case, the fact that the great Van Helsing is nearly distracted from his purpose by the mere purpose of the women shows his own limitations and the strength of the enemy. As paralysis threatens, Van Helsing is saved by Minas scream. He too has to be rescued by the love of a good woman from the temptations of the voluptuous demons. Throughout the latter half of the novel, Helsing is the leader of the fight to save Lucy and Mina. He persuades and organises the men. His medical skill is insufficient to keep Lucy or Renfield alive, but it is his knowledge of faith that saves Mina. He combines the roles of priest and scientist, though it is obvious he is more religious and more Catholic in his outlook than any other character. He is given the last speech in the novel, a defiant repudiation of his own methods of investigation up to this point: We want no proofs; we ask none to believe us! This is the exact opposite of a scientific outlook. Helsings reassurance that the son will learn to appreciate his mothers goodness is an elitist (superior) view of the world. Other peoples views are of no importance. By the end of the novel, Helsing has travelled further in his beliefs than might at first glance to be appreciated. It could be said that he learnt much over the course of his development, as they repeatedly fail to protect the women from Dracula. This also explains the need for Quinceys sacrifice. Without this failure, what would be the lesson defeating Dracula? This is why Helsing draws attention to the daring love of the men and why the lesson is embodied in the child that bears the Americans name.