Was Catle Dracula everything you thought it was going to be? How do the descriptions of Castle Dracula fit in with Gothic Literature conventions? (If you don't know what Gothic Literature conventions are, look them up)!!!
Now, post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 2. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
6 comments:
I think Harker's trip to Castle Dracula was a bit creepy. He is quite brave going into a totally foreign country and meet up ALONE with someone he knows so few about. Johnathan shows true bravery in this chapter, many people picture bravery as slaying a dragon or fighting off ten men with your hand behind your back. But in truth, bravery is facing your fears, and you could tell that Harker was obviously scared! This is why I think Johnathan Harker is one of the most admirable characters in the book.
I wonder if you will feel the same way about Jonathan at the end of the novel?
A bit creepy?? bit??
The description of Castle Dracula fits in with Gothic Literature conventions with how Harker describes what he sees when he arrives. Page 14 says "...as I stood close to a great door, old and studded with large iron nails and set in a projection doorway of massive stone." When I read this, I pictured a dark, gloomy building, basically your every day evil castle. I agree with Allyssa when she says that Harker is showing bravery by going into such a different country, meeting up with someone he has never even met before. But I also think he is showing how ignorant he can be. Just because he's facing his fears, doesn't mean he's a very admirable character. He ignores the warnings of all the other people, and causes himself trouble.
In chapter two, Dracula states "Come freely, go safely"(page 23) which to me sounds to good to be true. I also wonder in Jonathan had the same first impression as I did, which m first impression was an old emo man with a creepy white mustache. Another thing that sparks my interest is his constant "malady"(page 24) or sickness, which I believe he has porphyric hemophilia which is the disease that turns one into a vampire. I researched this disease and found that people with this disease have a metabolic disorder where they suck red blood cells from others(creepy i know) but maybe this is the answer as to why
Dracula is a vampire?
In this chapter, Jonathan begins to become suspicious of Dracula and his strange behavior. When Jonathan was shaving, Dracula startles him and he accidentally cuts himself. Dracula's reaction to this is very shocking. He lunges at Jonathan and grabs his throat. Jonathan then notices that he doesn't see Dracula's reflection in the mirror. Dracula notices this and then tosses it out the window. Jonathan also makes note that Dracula hasn't eaten or drank anything since he has been here. After Dracula leaves during the day Jonathan explores the castle and soon realizes that he is a prisoner in this foreign place and becomes very uneasy.
Gotta agree with Rachel on this one. John isn't really puffing out his chest and storming the castle, expecting to fight Dracula to the death. John is under the impression that Dracula is a friendly host, with the best intentions. The fact that he doesn't high-tail it out of Romania when the whole world is screaming "Dracula is a freak!! Don't go within a hundred miles of him or he'll probably kill you!!", doesn't add to his bravery. It reveals that he isn't quite as intelligent as he would like to believe.
And yeah, Dracula's castle meets my expectations. Noticeably old and haunted-looking, big heavy doors and whatnot. Stoker painted a pretty neat picture up in my head, and it looked a lot like what I had painted myself.
Just throwing this out there, Austin, I think that's awesome how you took time out of your summer to look up possible explanations to Dracula's lust for blood. Hahaha. BUT! Hemophilia cannot explain his ability to control wolves, or his inhuman strength. lol
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