Dracula 3

Two of the novel’s heroes, Seward and Van Helsing, are scientists. Each is confident of his ability to solve problems rationally, but neither one is able to save Lucy from Dracula, and Mina is nearly made a vampire as well. The group uses deductive logic and new (at that time) technologies (telegrams, voice recording, steam-powered ships) to hunt down Dracula. At the same time, they use garlic, holy water, and wooden stakes to fight their enemy. How do we explain this apparent contradiction? Does the novel ulimately put its faith in science or in superstition? Dracula himself is shown to be a masterful planner and strategic thinker; does his defeat represent the success or the failure of reason?