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.

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.