One of the most interesting reoccurring themes in Dracula is xenophobia. Both Johnathan Harker and Count Dracula himself point out and comment on oddities, blaming the country of Transylvania on them. The most interesting part about this is that many times it is in fact Dracula who uses his country as an excuse. We see this many times throughout the text. For example, after the incident where Harker cuts himself shaving and the Count lunges at his neck, he states “Take care how you cut yourself. It is more dangerous than you think in this country (Stoker 43).” This quote seems to highlight a distinct difference between England and Transylvania and makes Harker more wary. Dracula seems to be using his country to justify his own action, as perhaps he realizes the English look down upon Transylvania as undeveloped and barbaric. Yet Dracula seems to be genuinely warning him, and perhaps this comment is only to gain the trust of Harker, as he realizes his country will be a believable excuse. Earlier in the novel, Dracula does a similar thing, by emphasizing the difference between Transylvania and England saying “Our ways are not your ways, and there shall be to you many strange things (Stoker 35).” In this quote the Count again seems to be justifying the supernatural happenings by using his unmodern country as an excuse. If Dracula understands this difference between the two countries, does that make him more civilized and more trustworthy to Harker? What’s really interesting about this is that he seems to take pride and passion in his country’s history when relating it to Harker, and simply undermined it with such warnings the next minute. Dracula seems to also be using this “difference” the English seem to focus on to dismiss the warnings of the common people Harker encountered on the way to his house. In the passage where Dracula is explaining to Harker why he wants to perfect his English he says “The common people know me, and I am master (Stoker 34).” This also brings in the issue of class and nobility, as Dracula seems to be hinting at Harker that he is less barbaric, and above all the people that warned him about coming to the castle and were frightened by it. If that is the case, Harker need not be afraid of Dracula, as he is more trustworthy. That entire passage also seems to highlight that Dracula understands the difference in sophistication between the English and foreigners. He almost gives off the impression of being obsessed with the English way of life, which will also hopefully make Harker less suspicious of intentions he might have.
The presence of these passages in the text seem to contribute to an underlying sense of xenophobia that was so prevalent during the time in England. Was this intentionally put into the novel by Stoker, either to frighten readers about other countries and foreigners? Or was it perhaps so prevalent at the time that Stoker unintentionally inserted xenophobic aspects with realizing. Either way it is an important theme to note, especially considering the time which the novel is a product of.
To comment on your last questions, Stoker is touching on anxieties over reverse colonization and miscegenation. Dracula is deceptive and wise, and throughout Harker’s initial travels through Eastern Europe we get a sense of foreboding the peasants recognize but Harker does not. For all the sophistication of English society, it lacks the awareness of danger possessed by simple people of an uncultured backwoods or the cunning of a foreign elite. Getting more to the point, Dracula is able to contain Harker and not let him in on the fact that he is his prisoner until it is too late. Within this example, Stoker is showing how continued exploration and business with far-off lands makes English society vulnerable to conniving and treacherous foreigners. Through this manipulation of English refinement and goodwill, Dracula is able to travel to England where he preys on fine English women. In this regard, Stoker is warning his countrymen to the chance of being manipulated by foreigners as they continue their “well intended” pursuits abroad.