Good vs. Evil
The scholars are searching for Dracula not to study him, but to kill him and end his reign of chaos on modern society. In his life Dracula was a cruel leader who killed his enemies and his people. In his death, he sends his disciples to create havoc in the modern world. The scholars seek to end his evil reign.
History and Society
The letters of the scholars depict the history and society of the regions are that they are exploring to find Dracula’s tomb. They enter a communist country and learn of the holds the government has over the people. They are impeded by the restrictions for the government. The story revolves around the history of Vlad the Impaler and how his reign is still affecting the modern society in his undead state. The people who rule affect society and the lives of the people in their region or country. The scholars see how Vlad’s personal history with the Ottoman Empire has affected him personally and the region long after those he blamed for his death are dead.
Knowledge
The scholars must work through scholastic clues to find Dracula. They work together to translate and decipher the clues that have been left for them. Only the most knowledgeable and determined will succeed in finding him and will be offered the position of librarian in his extensive library. The scholars do not want this position but want to kill Dracula to end his reign of terror on society.
Religion
Vlad the Impaler fought against the Ottoman Empire. The monks under his rule see him as their protector from the Muslim invaders. They help him even in his death as they journey to help Dracula’s body reunite with his head. The power struggle between the Christians and Muslims has affected history throughout time and this is shown as the novel traverses through the history of Vlad the Impaler and the various scholars who seek to find Dracula.
Mentor and disciples
Dracula has many disciples in the world that he sends out to do his bidding. These are people that he has “infected” and has a power to control. They will do whatever his wishes. Dr. Rossi is Paul’s mentor. He not only mentors him in his graduate studies, but also in the quest to find Dracula. With Rossi’s letters, Paul becomes his disciple in the journey and takes up where his mentor left off in the search. He does this to save his friend and mentor.
