My soil theory represents a hybrid symbolic-cipher deep reading of Dracula, combining careful attention to Stoker’s lexical choices, numeric patterns, and historical references to reveal layers of meaning that connect vampirism, plague, and Gothic ritual.

Stoker also does not use the word, “casket.” Instead he uses the word “coffin” 50 times. That is the same number of coffins full of mould or soil that he brings with him on the Demeter.

Within Dracula, the vampire’s coffin is also referred to as an earth-home, an earth-chest, and earth-box. Sometimes this is even in the same sentence as using “coffin.”