Emma Probbett – Talk: Dracula and Survival Cannibalism

Description

Part of UK Ghost Story Festival 2026.

Cannibalism at sea was at one point in time such a common occurrence that it was called ‘the custom of the sea’. While periodicals of the eighteenth and nineteenth century often went for the more desperate zombie image of survivors cracking skulls to get at brain tissue (a fairly uncommon occurrence), nearly all instances of survival cannibalism at sea begin with drinking the victim’s blood. This isn’t incidental either, and many accounts from survivors discuss hastening a proposed victim’s end either in desperation to drink something, or for fear that they would die and their blood would congeal before anyone could take action.

This brings us to Dracula (1897) and the novel’s connections to fears around real-life survival cannibalism, especially in the wake of the landmark case of R vs Dudley and Stephens (1884). Blood drinking is of course not exclusive, nor does it originate from Dracula’s voyage on the Demeter, but his actions parallel many accounts of people who have survived being in open water: feelings of terror and paranoia infect the crew, the fear of being prey dominates the ship, and the series of deaths slowly makes its way up the chain of command (it is remarkably rare for Captains to draw the short straw when lots are cast).

In this talk I will explore the fears around the custom of the sea, how Dracula embodies them (particularly in regard to how survivors are treated), and take a new look at Dracula, not as a monster, but as a commentary on survival cannibalism at sea.

Purchase a pass to attend multiple events at the UK Ghost Story Festival 2026 at a significant discount. These are priced at £80 (full festival) or £35 (Saturday events only).