Bloodlust

In 1897, Bram Stoker published one of the most influential vampire novels in history; Dracula.  

It tells the story of how these half-humans sustain their undead bodies, siphoning blood from victims’ necks under night’s shadows. Stoker describes these events through imagined pieces of media, such as hidden diary entries, heartfelt letter exchanges and harrowing newspaper clippings; all of which are interconnected by one central character. Stoker’s work is well-referenced, many of his influences coming from his trip to Whitby in 1890. He was also inspired by Carmilla, one of the earliest known books about vampires, published in 1872. 

A small part of Stoker’s novel tells the story of the Demeter, a fictional ship. It was spotted near the port in Whitby, during a tempestuous storm, stranded in the crashing, cutting waves of the sea. Distressed locals try to signal the ship to safety, but the captain appears deaf to their cries. In an unexpected marvel, however, the ship makes it to shore, albeit almost a wreckage. The moment the ship lands, an unkempt, scrawny dog leaps from the helm of the ship, running out of sight of onlookers. The coastguard then makes a disturbing discovery; the captain is, in fact, dead, his hands tied to the wheel – it's clear he tied the knots himself, and they have torn through his flesh to the bone.  

This imagined account was inspired by a true shipwreck at the same harbour, 5 years prior to Stoker’s visit in 1890. The similarly named “Dmitry” suffered a similar loss; sailing from Estonia and becoming stranded during a storm. No one knows, to this day, how all 7 crew members survived the storm – their rescue was nothing short of a miracle. Another ship was stranded during the same storm, the “Mary and Agnes,” and the crew was rescued by a lifeboat. These two influences shine through the novel in the form of terror – the truth inspires a greater fear in the hearts of readers.  

The name of the Stoker’s ship was inspired by the Greek goddess “Demeter,” goddess of harvest and of death. In Greek mythology, we understand her daughter was stolen by Hades to become his bride in the Underworld, bringing Demeter great sorrow and causing the flora to die because of their interconnection. Desperate for preservation, Zeus pleaded to bring Persephone back to Demeter. However, she had eaten the fruit of the Underworld - 6 pomegranate seeds – so was tied eternally. Zeus ordered that Persephone spend half of the year with Hades, and half with Demeter – in Greek mythology, this is believed to be the reason we have seasons. This depiction of sorrow and loss is similar to the havoc vampires were known to cause; the ship “Demeter” brought death itself to the town of Whitby. 

The dog from the ship also has a history in northern England folklore – it depicts a barghest, a black dog that is typically a bad omen; they have sharp teeth and claws and represent disaster and pain. In extreme cases, some believe they represent death to anyone who sees it. The dog depicted in the novel has a similar influence on the plot, merciless murder by a bloodless being. 

Stoker’s novel includes many references to media and information from locals to Whitby. The story of the Demeter is a tremor-inducing tale which adds depth to the novel; the elements of truth are used to invoke fear in anyone who hears it, sounding similar to a typical folk tale passed down through generations.  

Stoker showcases true horror in this novel and has influenced our depictions of vampires for generations. His legacy will continue to be prominent for years to come in the horror genre.  

Just a little bit. I have my English Language speech tomorrow; I was going to re-use something I've written before but that just felt lazy, honestly. I've needed to write something new even if non-fiction is easier for me. Thanks for reading :)

Song rec(s) - Hemingway by girl in red and Hollow by Noah Kahan