Dracula vs Twilight: Forks vs the Carpathians

Who or what is performing the action?

We've looked at qualities, processes and things, and we've got the sense that while both of the passages are quite dark and spooky, Twilight is relatively plain and simple, while Dracula is more intense and elaborate.

But what's going on here is more than just about word choice. Let's take a closer look at exactly who or what is performing the action in each of the passages.

Take a look at the highlighting below.

The street was lined on both sides by blank, doorless, windowless walls. I could see in the distance, two intersections down, streetlamps, cars, and more pedestrians, but they were all too far away. Because lounging against the western building, midway down the street, were the other two men from the group, both watching with excited smiles as I froze dead on the sidewalk. I realized then that I wasn't being followed.

I was being herded.

I paused for only a second, but it felt like a very long time. I turned then and darted to the other side of the road. I had a sinking feeling that it was a wasted attempt. The footsteps behind me were louder now.

Twilight(2011)

This time, after going to the far side of the Pass, he suddenly turned down a narrow roadway which ran sharply to the right. Soon we were hemmed in with trees, which in places arched right over the roadway till we passed as through a tunnel. And again great frowning rocks guarded us boldly on either side. Though we were in shelter, we could hear the rising wind, for it moaned and whistled through the rocks, and the branches of the trees crashed together as we swept along. It grew colder and colder still, and fine, powdery snow began to fall, so that soon we and all around us were covered with a white blanket. The keen wind still carried the howling of the dogs, though this grew fainter as we went on our way. The baying of the wolves sounded nearer and nearer, as though they were closing round on us from every side. I grew dreadfully afraid, and the horses shared my fear.

Dracula(1897)

Now this is pretty interesting, because there's a big difference between the two snippets.

In Twilight, you might notice the following:

  • Most of the actions are performed by people (Bella and the men)
  • Many of the actions use passive, being verbs like was and were

In contrast, in Dracula:

  • Many actions are performed by things
  • Many more of the verbs are direct, active verbs (hemmed, moaned, crashed)

Now that's actually quite a discovery, but why? What effect do you think is created in each of these passages?

In Dracula, the environment is actually rising up against the narrator. It's not just kinda spooky; it has a wild life of its own, and it terrifies the narrator.

In Twilight, the environment is spooky, but it's not active. It's wallpaper. It's a background. The important action is the lounging and following of the men.

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