Chapter 7 Continued

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.