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Van Helsing; Vampire Hunter
Abraham Van Helsing, a protagonist in Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel and a medical doctor (M.D.), a doctor of letters (D. Litt.), and a doctor of philosophy (D. Ph.), is a character portrayed as vampire expert. However, we as readers know this dark side, Van Helsing’s close friends seem to be completely oblivious to Van Helsing’s specialty work in this area of the undead. The first name, Abraham, alludes to the biblical name as well as being the actually first name of Bram Stoker’s father and grandfather. “Van” alludes to Dutch roots, yet German dialogue is most commonly enlisted within the novel. Helsing is an actual last name for over two hundred residents of Finland (capital = Helsinki). In the Hugh Jackman portrayal of Van Helsing, loosely based upon the original novel, Abraham is changed to Gabriel, another biblical name and thought to be more indicative of an action hero. Helsing can be compared to the Swedish surname Hellsing, a 21st century Japanese graphic novel series (Manga) about the Hellsing Organization (The Royal Order of Protestant Knights, founded by Abraham Van Helsing) that battles vampires, ghouls, and supernatural forces. Furthermore, there are numerous works presenting descendants of Van Helsing as vampire slayers as well.
Quotations/descriptions from Bram Stoker’s Dracula:
“Van Helsing is one of the few characters in the novel who is fully physically described in one place. In chapter 14, Mina describes him as:
“
a man of medium weight, strongly built, with his shoulders set back over a broad, deep chest and a neck well balanced on the trunk as the head is on the neck. The poise of the head strikes me at once as indicative of thought and power. The head is noble, well-sized, broad, and large behind the ears. The face, clean-shaven, shows a hard, square chin, a large resolute, mobile mouth, a good-sized nose, rather straight, but with quick, sensitive nostrils, that seem to broaden as the big bushy brows come down and the mouth tightens. The forehead is broad and fine, rising at first almost straight and then sloping back above two bumps or ridges wide apart, such a forehead that the reddish hair cannot possibly tumble over it, but falls naturally back and to the sides. Big, dark blue eyes are set widely apart, and are quick and tender or stern with the man's moods.
”
Van Helsing's personality is described by John Seward, his former student, thus:
“
He is a seemingly arbitrary man, this is because he knows what he is talking about better than anyone else. He is a philosopher and a metaphysician, and one of the most advanced scientists of his day, and he has, I believe, an absolutely open mind. This, with an iron nerve, a temper of the ice-brook, and indomitable resolution, self-command, and toleration exalted from virtues to blessings, and the kindliest and truest heart that beats, these form his equipment for the noble work that he is doing for mankind, work both in theory and practice, for his views are as wide as his all-embracing sympathy.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Van_Helsing
Abraham Van Helsing, a protagonist in Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel and a medical doctor (M.D.), a doctor of letters (D. Litt.), and a doctor of philosophy (D. Ph.), is a character portrayed as vampire expert. However, we as readers know this dark side, Van Helsing’s close friends seem to be completely oblivious to Van Helsing’s specialty work in this area of the undead. The first name, Abraham, alludes to the biblical name as well as being the actually first name of Bram Stoker’s father and grandfather. “Van” alludes to Dutch roots, yet German dialogue is most commonly enlisted within the novel. Helsing is an actual last name for over two hundred residents of Finland (capital = Helsinki). In the Hugh Jackman portrayal of Van Helsing, loosely based upon the original novel, Abraham is changed to Gabriel, another biblical name and thought to be more indicative of an action hero. Helsing can be compared to the Swedish surname Hellsing, a 21st century Japanese graphic novel series (Manga) about the Hellsing Organization (The Royal Order of Protestant Knights, founded by Abraham Van Helsing) that battles vampires, ghouls, and supernatural forces. Furthermore, there are numerous works presenting descendants of Van Helsing as vampire slayers as well.
Quotations/descriptions from Bram Stoker’s Dracula:
“Van Helsing is one of the few characters in the novel who is fully physically described in one place. In chapter 14, Mina describes him as:
“
a man of medium weight, strongly built, with his shoulders set back over a broad, deep chest and a neck well balanced on the trunk as the head is on the neck. The poise of the head strikes me at once as indicative of thought and power. The head is noble, well-sized, broad, and large behind the ears. The face, clean-shaven, shows a hard, square chin, a large resolute, mobile mouth, a good-sized nose, rather straight, but with quick, sensitive nostrils, that seem to broaden as the big bushy brows come down and the mouth tightens. The forehead is broad and fine, rising at first almost straight and then sloping back above two bumps or ridges wide apart, such a forehead that the reddish hair cannot possibly tumble over it, but falls naturally back and to the sides. Big, dark blue eyes are set widely apart, and are quick and tender or stern with the man's moods.
”
Van Helsing's personality is described by John Seward, his former student, thus:
“
He is a seemingly arbitrary man, this is because he knows what he is talking about better than anyone else. He is a philosopher and a metaphysician, and one of the most advanced scientists of his day, and he has, I believe, an absolutely open mind. This, with an iron nerve, a temper of the ice-brook, and indomitable resolution, self-command, and toleration exalted from virtues to blessings, and the kindliest and truest heart that beats, these form his equipment for the noble work that he is doing for mankind, work both in theory and practice, for his views are as wide as his all-embracing sympathy.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Van_Helsing
Texts for course ENGL 363, Spring Term 2011
with Dr. Richardson:
The Historian: Elizabeth Kostova
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter Hunter: Seth Grahame-Smith
Dracula: Bram Stoker
Twilight: Stephanie Meyer
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter Hunter: Seth Grahame-Smith
Dracula: Bram Stoker
Twilight: Stephanie Meyer
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