The one book that started the vampire industry with a boom is the Dracula book written by Bram Stoker. Dracula had the most suspenseful and terrifying plot along with unique characters. Some characters stood out more than others, particularly the stranger Dr. Van Helsing. Van Helsing is a philosopher and metaphysician with many important roles in this novel. His character's personality, major actions/reactions, themes, and demonstrated motivations made him a useful and significant figure throughout the story. Who is Van Helsing? This is a common question that every reader would ask not only of Van Helsing, but of all the main characters in the story. Bram Stoker shows the personalities of the characters in this book through their main actions and the reactions of other characters. Use other characters' reactions to Van Helsing to show the reader Van Helsing's personality and traits. “We trembled in horror. I could see by the flickering light that even Van Helsing's iron nerves had given way” (Stoker 181). From this quote the reader can draw the conclusion that Bram Stoker is characterizing Van Helsing as someone with iron nerves. This means that Van Helsing could be portrayed as a strong-willed man. “My friend, it was because I wanted to be gentle in breaking you, for I know you loved that sweet lady” (Stoker 166). When Van Helsing tells Seward that Lucy had left bite marks on the children's necks, Dr. Seward asks Van Helsing if he is crazy. In this way the reader can conclude that Bram Stoker is characterizing Van Helsing as compassionate, and Bram Stoker differentiates Van Helsing as a character who does not act on impulse but thinks before speaking... even though Bram Stoker does not use major actions to char ......middle of paper......student of the brain-like you accept hypnotism and reject mind reading.” These motivations push the character of Dr. Van Helsing to act in a certain way distinguishing him from others. Bram Stoker did an amazing job in making Dr. Van Helsing a memorable character in the book Dracula. The character Van Helsing took some major risks/actions in the story. All this made him stand out from other characters. His reactions to the major actions he took simply showed us his compassionate personality. Although he had similar motivations and themes associated with him to those of other characters, Bram Stoker made Van Helsing have a more significant role with them. Doctor Van Helsing was the mastermind of the novel and perhaps one of the most important characters. Without his help the Count would never have been stopped and the story overall would not have had such a suspenseful plot.