Wouldn't it have been better had Jonathan Harker been the leader of the coalition to hunt down Dracula?

Question

I mean he was with the guy! He's got experience, first hand! Wouldn't it have been better if he led the party, and Professor Van Helsing was consultant?

Answer 1

I understand this point and had the same reaction when first reading the book. The reason is that Harker was our first Point of View character in the novel, and he is sympathetically portrayed. This makes us want to see him get out of it and destroy that blood-sucking fiend. Probably the reason it was written the way it was however was so we would feel Harker's loss and have Dracula's nature of evil revealed and confirmed thereby. You could write a short story with your version however.

Answer 2

Harker, although having experienced the presence of Dracula firsthand, is also susceptible to his power, and handicapped by his love for Mina; Van Helsing has not only the knowledge, but the unswerving will to do what needs to be done, even at the risk of exploiting Mina's connection with Dracula to track him down and ultimately destroy him--In the event that Mina did become a vampire herself, do you think Jonathan would have the courage to destroy her? 'Fraid not. The party is in good hands with Van Helsing.

Answer 3

No. Mina traveling with Van Helsing was great. Mina represented the Victorian New Woman.
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