How-to Session #1 "Brushing up your literary analysis"

Symbolism in Coppola's "Dracula"

Hey! Welcome to "Rojas' Corner", a virtual web-space in which the main purpose is helping you to improve your performance in Language and Culture I.

Today's entry is about describing symbolisms out of a multi-modal text.

Many times, you feel that writing an opinion paragraph about a short-story is really difficult. BUT... what is difficult is knowing what to write. Don't you think?

Well, this post is definitely for you. Let's see some tools for analysing texts.

BUT FIRST... we will clarify some technical terminology for you not to get lost:

What is a multi-modal text?

A multi-modal text is a text that combines images, sounds and words (what we would simply call a "video") and it is one of the main sources of information we encounter in our daily life (or perhaps our virtual daily life) 

What is a symbol in literature?

A symbol is a literary device which represents a concept and its different layers of meaning, i.e. using an object or linguistic trait to mean more than literal meaning.

O.K ... Now LET'S PUT EVERYTHING TOGETHER!

ANALYSIS OF "DRACULA"

(Directed by F. F Coppola)

Based on Bram Stoker's "Dracula", Francis Ford Coppola created a film version about the most famous vampire of all times. Out of his particular view, Coppola shows the "other" side of the cruel count: his romantic side.

Francis F. Coppola depicted Dracula  in a way that Bram Stoker did not. Coppola re-wrote Dracula's story by adding a crucial character: his dead wife. He lost her many years ago tragically, and he now found in Mina the exact "replica" of that lovemate he once had and then he lost. (And that's all you need to know so far) 

Let's analyse the following muti-modal text (just the scene from 1:10 to 01:47)

To get symbols, first DESCRIBE what's happening. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What is happening? (action)
• Who are involved? (participants)
• What does the author (director) choose to focus on? 
• What may he mean by choosing to focus on A and not B?
• What impact is the author trying to generate on us (audience)?

These questions are for you to start analysing different layers on meaning of a text. Out of that information you got, you may be able to describe actions and feelings, and their possible interpretations. 

LET'S DO IT!

1. What is happening in that scene?

Dracula is about to bite Mina. Dracula shows his teeth. He remembers his dead wife. He stops.

2. Who are involved in that scene?

Dracula and Mina. Mina is in trance. Dracula is controlling Mina.

3. What doest the author choose to focus on?

He focuses on Dracula's teeth. Coppola shows Dracula overwhelmed and full of emotional impulses. 

4. What may he mean by doing that?

It may be showing how Dracula controls his inner desire for biting Mina due to his memories about his dead wife. If he bites Mina, he loses her (as he lost his wife time ago)

Evidently, Dracula's biting is an important event to be highlighted. If you believe that his biting is a symbolism, you couldn't be more right! Now it's your turn to think what that biting means. Also bear in mind that the author intended something by creating this symbolism. We're sure this discussion has activated many ideas for you to write. That's the point! (and our mission)

Now, let us know what you think!

• Were you able to get the symbolism represented by Dracula's biting?
• Can you see how it has been exemplified?
• Did you find this tip useful?

Please, do write a comment so that we get you feedback! Thanks!

AUTHORS:
María Clara Errandonea
Miguel Gómez Vicari