Reflection Quote by Bram Stoker
““I only slept a few hours when I went to bed, and feeling that I could not sleep any more, got up. I had hung my shaving glass by the window, and was just beginning to shave. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder, and heard the Count’s voice saying to me, “Good-morning.” I started, for it amazed me that I had not seen him, since the reflection of the glass covered the whole room behind me. In starting I had cut myself slightly, but did not notice it at the moment. Having answered the Count’s salutation, I turned to the glass again to see how I had been mistaken. This time there could be no error, for the man was close to me, and I could see him over my shoulder. But there was no reflection of him in the mirror!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Dracula, Bram Stoker, 1897
A character experiences a supernatural encounter with a vampire reflected in a mirror, highlighting fear of the unseen
In simple terms: He sees a vampire appear without a reflection, causing terror
Key Takeaway
Recognize that fear often stems from what we cannot see
Themes
horror
supernatural
psychology
mirrors
Mood
eerie
tense
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- reading horror fiction
- examining fear triggers
- creative writing prompts
Key Concepts
vampire mythos
reflection symbolism
nightmare perception
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the missing reflection signify?
- How does this moment affect the character’s sanity?
A Different Perspective
The scene may rely on gothic tropes rather than psychological depth
![“The young man [Turgot] destined for an ecclesiastical career was placed within walls carefully designed to keep out all currents of new thought; his studies, his reading, his professors, his associates, all were combined to keep from him any results of observation or reflection save those…” quote by Andrew Dickson White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5d4/andrew-dickson-white-24254_associates_the-young-man-turgot-destined-for-an-ecc_3146.jpg)
