Is there something in Dracula that you're dying to discuss? Do you have lots of unanswered questions? Do you just want to vent, constructively of course? Post your suggestions here and if I think they can be developed, I'll create a new blog topic!!
Joey, I believe there were earlier ideas about vampires before Dracula, but it was Dracula that we base all vampries upon now. John Polidor's The Vampyre was in 1819, James Malcolm Ryder's Varney the Vampyre or the Feast of Blood in 1845-1847, and Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmillain in 1872. There were also other writes around that time period that wrote about vampries too. If that is the Tod Browning's 1931 film, it is the movie which most people view Dracula as.
I'd say wait till you read some more and Renfield's part ends. Because some of it becomes clear then. I'd say this question would be better discussed when we all read past his part's end because then we can truely talk about what he does in the book without spoiling anything.
Nice history of vampires in literature. Stoker was the first to really make the idea popular as well as scaring the heck out of a whole lot of people. Remember the time period - people thought this type of "being" could really exist. Also, consider the role of women in the book. What more could Stoker be saying here? In terms of Renfield, his role will become clear by the end of the novel.
Im just wondering, was there a point in the book where a clock strikes? I dont think clocks were made before the 1900's. I believe the same think happens in Romeo and Juliet.
Hey Chris to tell the truth, clocks have been around since 3500 B.C. Oh you may say the Sundial isn't a clock but it is. And I believe the clocks that were able to strike time were made in teh 1500s. But you are thinking of the clock striking in Julius Caesar instead of Romeo and Juliet.
I was wondering why is the book written in journal or diary form? Is that just how they wrote back then or was it just a way to make it look like a real life event that could happen back then to scare people and make them believe it?
I was very curious about how much of an impact the diary format was going to have on the story, but as I read on I rather liked it. I also thought about the name Van Helsing. I know there was a movie made with him as the protagonist. But in this novel he isn't the main character. I'm wondering what kind of impact he'll have on the story line, and if he'll be part of the climax.
I thought the beginning of the book was very exciting ,but once the story crept away from the Count's house, I couldn't concentrate anymore. I had a hard time putting all the diary entries and letters together, but once I did the the story became interesting again. I also am looking forward to seeing what plans the count has up his sleeves in England.
when i heard we had to read dracula i thought i would never like it or get all the way through the book. but after the introduction more and more supernatural things started occuring and different points of view were added to the story, which gives a 360 degree view of the events. so now i have to admit that, even though it's not my favorite book, i would recommend Dracula as a good read.
the only things i was wondering about was what the phonograph Dr. Seward used as his diary might look like and what shorthand looks like.
One question I have about the book is: Since they stopped Dracula, does that mean that all the other vampires are now destroyed as well?...and also, How was Dracula turned into a vampire?....if these were answered i must have missed them.
When I started the book, I admit I wasn't too excited about reading the book, but it does get somewhat better as you read on. I was also surprised on how much of the book does not take place at the Counts' castle. The one question I have, which may be answered later on, is why does Lucy only prey on young children and not adults close to her age?
One question I have about the book is: Since they stopped Dracula, does that mean that all the other vampires are now destroyed as well?...and also, How was Dracula turned into a vampire?....if these were answered i must have missed them.
I just wanted to say that this book was the best summer reading book i think we have had so far. It was more or less a joy to read instead of picking up another book and just saying great get to waste more of my life, but not with Dracula it was a nice read that didn't take as long as I thought it would!
Why can't the count cross water. It said somewhere close to the end that he could open the box that he was in because if he did the people who were transporting him would leave and he would die. If he can turn into a bat, why can't he fly across. Is the water a holy object or is he afraid of falling and he can't swim.
Jake I think I have an answer to your question earlier about how Dracula became a vampire. I read that his family's power grew in Transylvania and eventually, for some reason, Dracula made a deal with the "Devil", and he had to live like that.
I have to agree with some of the others who liked the book. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. My question if Dracula's main goal to breed other vampires or to make companions? At some points he only infected people he was attracted to, like Lucy. Others, like Renfield and the people on the ship, he attacked for no apparent reason.
In the beginning I don't think he was looking for either. He was just drinking the blood to survive I believe. I think his end goal was to produce minions, a whole new race so to speak, of blood sucking monsters. I think he just picked the wrong person by choosing Lucy and in this decision he ended up having Harker and his friends trailing after him trying to destroy him. This of course upset him so to get back at them he went after Mina. I do believe he thought her beautiful though by this line: "And you, their best beloved one, ware now to me flesh of my flesh; blood of my blood; kin of my kin; my bountiful winepress for a while; and shall be later on my companion and my helper." chapter XXI page 343 ((may be different in your book. I'm not sure))
I think he merely took out others to not only add them to his new race, but because they could potentially cause him problems down the road. If you also recall he had three women at his house that almost went after Harker so that also implies he was out for companions as well. He wanted both.
Think about it. Do you want friends, a companion, or both?
I thought the book was overall interesting but I was rather disappointed at the end because he did not get much of a chance to fight back. But overall a decent book.
This is going to sound dumb, but what about the horses? do they become vampires too or just die?...It just kind of made me wonder when the three women came to Mina and Van Helsing then they woke to find the horses dead
28 comments:
Joey, I believe there were earlier ideas about vampires before Dracula, but it was Dracula that we base all vampries upon now. John Polidor's The Vampyre was in 1819, James Malcolm Ryder's Varney the Vampyre or the Feast of Blood in 1845-1847, and Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmillain in 1872. There were also other writes around that time period that wrote about vampries too. If that is the Tod Browning's 1931 film, it is the movie which most people view Dracula as.
I'd say wait till you read some more and Renfield's part ends. Because some of it becomes clear then. I'd say this question would be better discussed when we all read past his part's end because then we can truely talk about what he does in the book without spoiling anything.
Nice history of vampires in literature. Stoker was the first to really make the idea popular as well as scaring the heck out of a whole lot of people. Remember the time period - people thought this type of "being" could really exist. Also, consider the role of women in the book. What more could Stoker be saying here?
In terms of Renfield, his role will become clear by the end of the novel.
Kristine Adamiec-
My mom already has a google account so im just using hers.
Dracula is an interesting book, complicated at times. Its a lot different than i expected, I expected it to all be based at the Counts house.
Yes, I asked that question then the next chapter I read his fate was discovered. I should have waited a day.
Im just wondering, was there a point in the book where a clock strikes? I dont think clocks were made before the 1900's. I believe the same think happens in Romeo and Juliet.
sorry thing*
Hey Chris to tell the truth, clocks have been around since 3500 B.C. Oh you may say the Sundial isn't a clock but it is. And I believe the clocks that were able to strike time were made in teh 1500s. But you are thinking of the clock striking in Julius Caesar instead of Romeo and Juliet.
My password for my other account wouldnt work today, but thanks nolan I wasn't one hundred percent sure about that.
I was wondering why is the book written in journal or diary form? Is that just how they wrote back then or was it just a way to make it look like a real life event that could happen back then to scare people and make them believe it?
I was very curious about how much of an impact the diary format was going to have on the story, but as I read on I rather liked it. I also thought about the name Van Helsing. I know there was a movie made with him as the protagonist. But in this novel he isn't the main character. I'm wondering what kind of impact he'll have on the story line, and if he'll be part of the climax.
I thought the beginning of the book was very exciting ,but once the story crept away from the Count's house, I couldn't concentrate anymore. I had a hard time putting all the diary entries and letters together, but once I did the the story became interesting again. I also am looking forward to seeing what plans the count has up his sleeves in England.
when i heard we had to read dracula i thought i would never like it or get all the way through the book. but after the introduction more and more supernatural things started occuring and different points of view were added to the story, which gives a 360 degree view of the events. so now i have to admit that, even though it's not my favorite book, i would recommend Dracula as a good read.
the only things i was wondering about was what the phonograph Dr. Seward used as his diary might look like and what shorthand looks like.
One question I have about the book is: Since they stopped Dracula, does that mean that all the other vampires are now destroyed as well?...and also, How was Dracula turned into a vampire?....if these were answered i must have missed them.
When I started the book, I admit I wasn't too excited about reading the book, but it does get somewhat better as you read on. I was also surprised on how much of the book does not take place at the Counts' castle. The one question I have, which may be answered later on, is why does Lucy only prey on young children and not adults close to her age?
One question I have about the book is: Since they stopped Dracula, does that mean that all the other vampires are now destroyed as well?...and also, How was Dracula turned into a vampire?....if these were answered i must have missed them.
I just wanted to say that this book was the best summer reading book i think we have had so far. It was more or less a joy to read instead of picking up another book and just saying great get to waste more of my life, but not with Dracula it was a nice read that didn't take as long as I thought it would!
Matt i would definetly agree with you. I found point where it was hard to put my book down.
I have one question.
Why can't the count cross water. It said somewhere close to the end that he could open the box that he was in because if he did the people who were transporting him would leave and he would die. If he can turn into a bat, why can't he fly across. Is the water a holy object or is he afraid of falling and he can't swim.
I also agree with you matt. This book was a great read and probably one of the only books i had no problem finishing.
Anthony
I don't remember who said it in the book, but I'm pretty sure it said that his powers are limited and he can only be carried across water.
I think
Jake I think I have an answer to your question earlier about how Dracula became a vampire. I read that his family's power grew in Transylvania and eventually, for some reason, Dracula made a deal with the "Devil", and he had to live like that.
I have to agree with some of the others who liked the book. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. My question if Dracula's main goal to breed other vampires or to make companions? At some points he only infected people he was attracted to, like Lucy. Others, like Renfield and the people on the ship, he attacked for no apparent reason.
Shauna,
In the beginning I don't think he was looking for either. He was just drinking the blood to survive I believe. I think his end goal was to produce minions, a whole new race so to speak, of blood sucking monsters. I think he just picked the wrong person by choosing Lucy and in this decision he ended up having Harker and his friends trailing after him trying to destroy him. This of course upset him so to get back at them he went after Mina. I do believe he thought her beautiful though by this line: "And you, their best beloved one, ware now to me flesh of my flesh; blood of my blood; kin of my kin; my bountiful winepress for a while; and shall be later on my companion and my helper." chapter XXI page 343 ((may be different in your book. I'm not sure))
I think he merely took out others to not only add them to his new race, but because they could potentially cause him problems down the road. If you also recall he had three women at his house that almost went after Harker so that also implies he was out for companions as well. He wanted both.
Think about it. Do you want friends, a companion, or both?
I'd say both ((sorry so long))
I thought the book was overall interesting but I was rather disappointed at the end because he did not get much of a chance to fight back. But overall a decent book.
This is going to sound dumb, but what about the horses? do they become vampires too or just die?...It just kind of made me wonder when the three women came to Mina and Van Helsing then they woke to find the horses dead
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