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Some classic horror stories, and the monsters in them, never go away—and we love that!
From Bram Stoker’s Dracula to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, these stories have kept readers scared and fascinated for well over 100 years. They explore fears that everyone has and show us truths about ourselves. There’s something about these stories that makes them worth celebrating, especially as Halloween gets closer.
To honour these amazingly terrifying stories, we’re looking back (with a little bit of fear 🫣) at some of the most famous characters from classic horror books and why they’re still important today.
Five Famous Characters from Classic Horror Stories
Count Dracula from Dracula (1897) by Bram Stoker
Count Dracula wasn’t the first vampire, but he set the standard for what vampires should be. In Bram Stoker’s Dracula, he defines what it means to be a vampire—hypnotic, deadly, and always hiding in the shadows. Full of both charm and terror, his story has inspired countless other vampire tales. With themes like mind control and the obsession with staying young, this book and its character are still very relevant today.
Frankenstein’s Monster from Frankenstein (1818) by Mary Shelley
It’s alive! Frankenstein’s monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein shows the dangers of unchecked scientific experiments. Throughout the story, the creature’s experiences with people show the ethical and moral issues of scientific discovery. This book’s themes of ambition and unintended consequences are still important today, especially as new technologies bring both excitement and concern.
The Werewolf from The Were-Wolf by Clemence Housman (1896)
Werewolves make nightlife a lot wilder! The werewolf, depicted in stories like Clemence Housman’s The Were-Wolf, symbolizes the duality inside all of us. In Housman’s story, a man tries to save his brother and village from a charming woman who turns out to be a dangerous werewolf. Stories like The Were-Wolf show ordinary people transforming into werewolves under the moonlight, a metaphor for the struggle between our human side and primal instincts. The theme of having a side we can’t always control is something many people can still relate to today.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde from Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) by Robert Louis Stevenson
This is another story about having two sides. In Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll’s potion transforms him into the dangerous Mr. Hyde, showing that even nice people can have a dark side. This story shows the two (or more) sides that we all have, and it has inspired many tales about hidden personalities. The struggle between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is still something we see today, as people show different versions of themselves in public and private life, and face conflicts between right and wrong.
Dorian Gray from The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) by Oscar Wilde
This is one anti-aging method we definitely want to avoid. In Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian Gray stays young and beautiful while his portrait ages and shows the consequences of his actions. This book’s themes of vanity, obsession with youth, and hiding who we really are are even more relevant today as many people feel pressure from social media and society to show a perfect version of themselves while hiding their flaws.
New Scares Await!
We love our classics, but the horror genre is still alive and thriving!
If you’re ready for more eerie reads, check out our Fall Horror Fiction staff list to find your next scare and cozy up to new favourites—we have something that will keep you up at night.
Get ready for Halloween with these terrifying reads. This list has all the latest titles for horror lovers.
Tell Us Your Thoughts
Which classic horror character scares you the most? Let us know in the comments below!