“ The Horla ,” Dracula ’ s Older French Cousin
In spite of these noticeable differences , all three versions , however , preserve one specific narrative motif , which constitutes the only true instance of a supernatural occurrence in “ Letter of a Madman ,” as well as the final and climactic confrontation with the mysterious entity in the two versions of “ The Horla ”: one evening , as he strongly feels the presence of the mysterious being around him , the protagonist looks at himself in the mirror and is unable to see his reflection . As his reflection slowly reappears , emerging from behind a diffuse mist , he deduces that the mysterious creature was between him and the mirror , and that it absorbed his reflection . The Horla having no reflection at all should naturally remind us of Dracula himself , and as to confirm our suspicions , the word “ vampire ” appears at the end of the last two versions in relationship to the epidemic which is forcing the inhabitants of entire villages in Brazil to leave their homes , claiming that they have become possessed by a mysterious creature who steals their breaths and drinks their milk and water during the night .
LE DRACULA
Maupassant ’ s Horla thus seems to already possess most of the same characteristics of Stoker ’ s Dracula and to function in comparable ways . Its relationship with light and darkness , for instance , is similar to that of the vampire , since it is most maleficent at night but can still exist in the daylight , just as Dracula , who , contrary to popular belief , does not spontaneously combust when exposed to sunlight , but only loses most of his powers . The Horla can also manifest himself during the day , as in the episode where the narrator , strolling through his garden , sees a rose being cut by invisible hands , suspended in the air and apparently kissed by invisible lips . Although doubtlessly frightening , for it signifies the
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