Social and religious aspects in Bram Stoker's DRACULA

Essay from the year 1995 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, University of Hannover (Englisches Seminar), course: Introduction to Literature, language: English, abstract: 1. Background to the time the story was written To reveal the social background of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' , as well as the aspects of religion and science that influenced on society, we have to consider the events of that time. 'Dracula' was written in the year of 1897. It was the so-called Victorian Age that was expressed by a high morality which was especially celebrated by the upper class who more than ever felt superior towards the poor working classes. It was a time when great social and economical problems struck society, especially its poor levels. But it also was a time of great scientific progress that lead to an upper society becoming richer and the working class remaining poor. The final result was a strong belief in materialism on the side of those who considered scientific progress as important and positive and a growing interest in Roman Catholicism, parapsychology and spirituality on the side of those who were more sceptic towards science and materialism. Society was more and more divided into rich and poor and the problems on the side of the poor increased. That was one reason why the church lost its power and influence on the majority of the society. Another reason for this was Gladstone's 'Disestablishment Act'. But it was also a time when England invaded other countries to increase their number of colonies that could be exploited. [...]