I love how Dracula lends itself to a variety of readings. You can definitely tell that it comes from fears of disease, xenophobia, homophobia and blurred lines between men and women. However, there are also plenty of moments that undercut those fears and imply that those different from us are still worthy of acceptance and care, and are capable of caring in return. I think that Mina and Jonathan Harker are wonderful examples of reversing gender roles and how both can still thrive with that reversal thanks to their inclusion and acceptance by others. Plus, their reversed roles does not make them incapable of performing traditionally masculine or feminine actions.

Ultimately Dracula to me is a story of humanity's love and devotion -- how it empowers and dooms us in fights against perceived evils. Meanwhile, our collective stories and access to knowledge is what allows us to come together as a group and defeat those evils.