Popular Culture Review 30.1
been demonstrated in terms of behavioral suggestion , its representation in both texts “ Le Horla ” and Dracula goes well beyond its proven capacities , for it is merged with telepathy , which , unlike hypnotism , remains scientifically indemonstrable . Just as Mme . Sablé appears to be able to read the narrator ’ s mind after being put under hypnosis , Mina becomes telepathically connected to Dracula when hypnotized by Van Helsing . Hypnotism is therefore used by both narrations as a reasonable gateway into the unreasonable , all the more justified that it benefits from a legitimate scientific reputation sanctioned by a historical figure , French pioneer neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot , whose name is invoked by Dr . Seward during a conversation with professor Van Helsing and whose lectures at the prestigious Hôpital Salpêtrière in Paris were occasionally attended by one Guy de Maupassant .
FRENCH CONNECTION
Beyond their uncanny correspondence of dates , either historical ( 1890 ) or literary ( May 8 th ), “ Le Horla ” and Dracula can be considered as transatlantic twin illustrations of the modern fantastic , which leave behind the narrative trappings of the gothic tradition in order to concentrate upon the rational understanding of the irrational , for the fantastic is not about ruined castles in faraway lands but on the contrary about our familiar surroundings being invaded by the impossible , which is why Dracula has much more to do with his French cousin from Normandy than with Vlad the Impaler himself .
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