I enjoyed reading the later part of this chapter because, as with the Jonathan Harker storyline, it creates a lot of tension and is more gripping due to the darker and more sinister events that are inclded in this section of the book. For example, I found tat the sea-captain's diary built a lot of tension because it moved in steps. The diary moves on with every few days that pass. The events all build up day by day and slowly more exciting things begin to take place.
I was particulalry intrigued by the mystery of the strange man on board the ship. Many characters in the chapter seem to be affected by the whole thing with the ship. For example the normally calm dog reacts with what seems to be fear when at the sea-captains funeral service eg. "fell all into a tremble". Also, the second-to-last-man on the ship is so terrified of the thing aboard the ship that he jumps into the sea, increasing the readers' fear of "It". All these things give the reader a great sense of anticipation and it will be interesting to see what happens later on in the next few chapters.
Tuesday 1 December 2009
Tuesday 17 November 2009
Chapter 7
This chapter uses creates a very dark and gothic atmosphere through the weather described. A storm arrives and with it a mysterious ship. I felt that the weather certainly created a very negative image of the ship and the fact that the ship is being steered very strangely certainly makes the reader feel a sense of foreboding about the ship.
When the ship finally gets to the harbour it is firt of all very interesting because it was doubtful that the ship would make it. This already builds on the sense of mystery surrounding the vessel. The dead body is a shock and confirms these doubts. However, it is still unclear to who the ship belongs and so on. Therefore there is still a feeling of great tension.
When the ship finally gets to the harbour it is firt of all very interesting because it was doubtful that the ship would make it. This already builds on the sense of mystery surrounding the vessel. The dead body is a shock and confirms these doubts. However, it is still unclear to who the ship belongs and so on. Therefore there is still a feeling of great tension.
Tuesday 10 November 2009
Chapter 6 - Improved
Although I wanted to get back to the main story with Dracula and Jonathan Harker, one thing that I did notice in particular was the very stereotypical Gothic objects that were included in the beginning of the chapter. The main ones were ruins and tombstones and I felt that this gave a very Gothic atmosphere.
Another thing that adds to the atmosphere is the talk of death ("the Angel of Death"). This also creates a Gothic atmosphere.
Also, the story seems to be linking up to Dracula again as the letter from Jonathan Harker is talked of. I now begin to feel that this part of the book and Jonathan Harker's diary will eventually link together. It intrigues me as I wish to know what the result of this link will be.
Another thing that adds to the atmosphere is the talk of death ("the Angel of Death"). This also creates a Gothic atmosphere.
Also, the story seems to be linking up to Dracula again as the letter from Jonathan Harker is talked of. I now begin to feel that this part of the book and Jonathan Harker's diary will eventually link together. It intrigues me as I wish to know what the result of this link will be.
Thursday 22 October 2009
Chapter 10 and 11
I feel that these chapters begin to bring the extremely stereotypical gothic ideas to the book. the The whole things brings instantly recognizeable trademarks of the gothic genre such as the marks on Lucy's neck and the garlic to the book.
The events all point towards vampires because when Lucy is in the presence of garlic, she feels better. Also, the marks on Lucy's neck are obviously bite marks. Van Helsing seems to have worked this out due to his use of garlic to try and help Lucy's condition.
The reader is made to feel a lot of suspicion as well and their imaginations is allowed to run wild because the wound on Lucy's neck are so strange. I think that this is very effective.
The events all point towards vampires because when Lucy is in the presence of garlic, she feels better. Also, the marks on Lucy's neck are obviously bite marks. Van Helsing seems to have worked this out due to his use of garlic to try and help Lucy's condition.
The reader is made to feel a lot of suspicion as well and their imaginations is allowed to run wild because the wound on Lucy's neck are so strange. I think that this is very effective.
Friday 9 October 2009
Dracula - Chapter 6
Again, like with Chapter 5, I found myself wanting to find out what was going on with Dracula and Jonathan Harker in the castle. I was frustrated that I had to read through these letters before I could go back to that storyline again. Still, I believe that this created a lot of tension and I felt that this was effective.
Dracula - Chapter 5
I did not find this chapter to be particularly insteresting, mainly because I was disappointed by the fact that the storyline had moved away from Dracula and Jonathan Harker. I was beginning to enjoy that storyline and wanted to find out if Jonathan Harker was going to escape.
However, I found the very big change in style quite interesting. The style changed to a letter format and although I did not find the chapter particularly exciting, it was an interesting change. I also get the feeling that at some point in the book, both these storylines will somehow link together and I look forward to discovering the connection (if I am right).
However, I found the very big change in style quite interesting. The style changed to a letter format and although I did not find the chapter particularly exciting, it was an interesting change. I also get the feeling that at some point in the book, both these storylines will somehow link together and I look forward to discovering the connection (if I am right).
Tuesday 29 September 2009
Dracula - Chapter 4
During this Chapter, Jonathan Harker seems to become very desperate as he becomes aware of how dangerous his situation is after his dream the siting of Dracula crawling down the castle walls.
A very Gothic atmosphere is created in this chapter, particularly when Jonathan Harker takes it upon himself to try and find the keys to the castle doors. The dark chapel near Dracula's room is very Gothic in the sense that it is to do with the supernatural. It to do with God and such beliefs. Dracula also seems to be the living-dead as he is lying in the chapel, seeminly dead, even though he isn't. This is also to do with afterlife and religion, and so adds to the Gothic atmosphere.
The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, creating a lot of tension as it comes to a close. Jonathan Harker becomes so worried about "those awful women" and all the other terrible things that are burdening him that he prepares himself to commit suicide.
A very Gothic atmosphere is created in this chapter, particularly when Jonathan Harker takes it upon himself to try and find the keys to the castle doors. The dark chapel near Dracula's room is very Gothic in the sense that it is to do with the supernatural. It to do with God and such beliefs. Dracula also seems to be the living-dead as he is lying in the chapel, seeminly dead, even though he isn't. This is also to do with afterlife and religion, and so adds to the Gothic atmosphere.
The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, creating a lot of tension as it comes to a close. Jonathan Harker becomes so worried about "those awful women" and all the other terrible things that are burdening him that he prepares himself to commit suicide.
Sunday 27 September 2009
Dracula - Chapter 3
I feel that the third chapter is filled with a lot of tension. Jonathan Harker knows that he is a prisoner, but does not want to aggravate the situation and so keeps quiet about what he has discovered. Jonathan Harker has to try and find out what is going on whilst still pretending to be ignorant of the strange situation. Both Dracula and Jonathan Harker know about what is going on, but both are feigning ignorance. This is a very awkward and tense situation.
I believe that this is the chapter in which Dracula is finally revealed as an extremely strange host. Jonathan Harker sees him crawling out the window and this is extremely strange. The Count is made to seem even stranger and less human because his cloak spreads out around him "like great wings". This makes the reader think not of a human but of a winged animal such as a bat. This makes Dracula seem less human and possibly more dangerous and unpredictable like an animal.
However, this is not the only supernatural thing that occurs in the castle in this chapter. There is a very disturbing incident where Jonathan Harker falls asleep in a part of the castle which he does not normally sleep in. He describes a visit from three vampires (or at least thats what I think they are). Dracula appears in this incident and gives the vampires a sack with very disturbing connotations.
This is a highly worrying experience for Jonathan Harker.This is still not the end of such occurences in this chapter though, for when Jonathan Harker awakes (it is strange enough that he finds himself again in his own chambers) he cannot see Dracula in the mirror that he uses to shave with even though he is right beside Jonathan Harker. The reader's fear of Dracula is increased greatly when Dracula becomes angry and throws the shaving mirror out of the window. The mirror shatters and I think that this could be seen as symbolic for how Jonathan Harker's hope is slowly becoming shattered as well.
I believe that this is the chapter in which Dracula is finally revealed as an extremely strange host. Jonathan Harker sees him crawling out the window and this is extremely strange. The Count is made to seem even stranger and less human because his cloak spreads out around him "like great wings". This makes the reader think not of a human but of a winged animal such as a bat. This makes Dracula seem less human and possibly more dangerous and unpredictable like an animal.
However, this is not the only supernatural thing that occurs in the castle in this chapter. There is a very disturbing incident where Jonathan Harker falls asleep in a part of the castle which he does not normally sleep in. He describes a visit from three vampires (or at least thats what I think they are). Dracula appears in this incident and gives the vampires a sack with very disturbing connotations.
This is a highly worrying experience for Jonathan Harker.This is still not the end of such occurences in this chapter though, for when Jonathan Harker awakes (it is strange enough that he finds himself again in his own chambers) he cannot see Dracula in the mirror that he uses to shave with even though he is right beside Jonathan Harker. The reader's fear of Dracula is increased greatly when Dracula becomes angry and throws the shaving mirror out of the window. The mirror shatters and I think that this could be seen as symbolic for how Jonathan Harker's hope is slowly becoming shattered as well.
Dracula - Chapter 2
I was quite surprised by how Dracula appears to be quite a nice guy in the second chapter (at least at first). For example, he carries in Jonathan Harker's luggage when he arrives at his castle, even though he is the Count: "and stepping out, took my luggage". This is avery big surprise because everything up until this point seems to be poitning to Count Dracula as being a very mysterious and evil character, eg. the people at the inn give Jonathan Harker a crucifix to protect him against evil.
However, Dracula's kindness also creates a feeling of unease for it is strange that he should be acting in such a welcoming way. I could not help feeling that Dracula has something to hide and that he has alterior motives behind his hospitality.
To add to these suspicions is the strange fact that Dracula does not eat with his guest and that he goes outside during the day, leaving Jonathan Hraker to roam freely about his castle.
Also, when Jonathan Harker decides to wander around the castle, he discovers a very strange and worrying thing: many of the castle's doors are locked, preventing anyone from leaving the building. This finally convinced me that Dracula has indeed got something to hide and Dracula suddenly becomes a very evil figure in the story.
However, Dracula's kindness also creates a feeling of unease for it is strange that he should be acting in such a welcoming way. I could not help feeling that Dracula has something to hide and that he has alterior motives behind his hospitality.
To add to these suspicions is the strange fact that Dracula does not eat with his guest and that he goes outside during the day, leaving Jonathan Hraker to roam freely about his castle.
Also, when Jonathan Harker decides to wander around the castle, he discovers a very strange and worrying thing: many of the castle's doors are locked, preventing anyone from leaving the building. This finally convinced me that Dracula has indeed got something to hide and Dracula suddenly becomes a very evil figure in the story.
Thursday 24 September 2009
Dracula - Chapter One
Just from reding the first chapter I'd say that "Dracula" seems to be a very gripping book. I feel that the book gets straight into the whole Gothic atmosphere.
In the first few pages I found that there was a lot of tension and suspense beiong created by the secretive and seemingly worried people at the inn and in the carriage. This, in my mind, creates a mystery surrounding the Count right from the very start which is quite unsettling.
The setting later on in the chapter also creates much unease. When Jonathan Harker is travelling in the carriage of the Count's servant, the surroundings are very unsettling. It is dark and this creates mystery and makes the reader think of strange, supernatural and evil things hiding in the dark. The sound of howling wolves and so on also add to the stereotypical Gothic atmosphere. The supernatural is also hinted at as the carriage driver manages to drive away the wolves that surround the carriage.
One final major thing that I noticed about the first chapter is how it is written in the present and in first person. This puts the reader directly into the story and allows them to imagine themselves in Jonathan Harker's position. This works especially well when Jonathan Harker is telling the reader his thought, allowing the reader to empathise with him.
In the first few pages I found that there was a lot of tension and suspense beiong created by the secretive and seemingly worried people at the inn and in the carriage. This, in my mind, creates a mystery surrounding the Count right from the very start which is quite unsettling.
The setting later on in the chapter also creates much unease. When Jonathan Harker is travelling in the carriage of the Count's servant, the surroundings are very unsettling. It is dark and this creates mystery and makes the reader think of strange, supernatural and evil things hiding in the dark. The sound of howling wolves and so on also add to the stereotypical Gothic atmosphere. The supernatural is also hinted at as the carriage driver manages to drive away the wolves that surround the carriage.
One final major thing that I noticed about the first chapter is how it is written in the present and in first person. This puts the reader directly into the story and allows them to imagine themselves in Jonathan Harker's position. This works especially well when Jonathan Harker is telling the reader his thought, allowing the reader to empathise with him.
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