So how is everybody's reading going so far? Did you make it past the slow introduction?
I'm interested in your initial impressions of Count Dracula.
Consider the following suggestions:
In your response, consider where Dracula lives, how he speaks, acts, smells. In other words, how would you characterize this character? And what about Jonathan Harker's reaction to the Count? Do you think he's too naive or does he act reasonably?
11 comments:
John Harker may be niave. Just reading the first few chapters made me see that there were all kinds of clues that he could have used to realize that something was wrong but it seemed that he didnt take the hint. maybe we the readers could see it coming because we have the basic premis of dracula and know what is going to happen but in my opion he should have used his head and put two and two together to figrue it out.
Jonathan may have been a little too trusting. He may have seen the count with an understanding that he has lived most of his life in seclusion from the modern world, so his mannerisms, dress, and speech could be a little strange. Also becaus he is a rich nobleman from the “old” world that is trying to modernize himself using English society as a model and a way to begin anew. But his skin, eyes, and teeth would have been a supporting clue to the carriage ride that something was wrong with this man and his castle.
When I first started trying to read the book, I admit, I was worried it was gonna be another slow read. But as I get further and further into the novel, I'm starting to enjoy it a little more. I think at first we all assume that John Harker was naive from the start. There were plenty of clues available, such as the misleading carriage ride, and the large teeth, the lack of mirrors, or the nocturnal lifestyle. But it is easy for us as readers to sit aside and see the plot forming, because we already know the basic story of dracula. We have to look at it from Harker's side, where he knows nothing about the story. To him, visiting a different country, and an "old country" nobleman, I could see how it was easier for Harker to take the differences early on, as just a difference in, culture or character. And while a guest in Dracula's castle, i think he acts somewhat reasonable in trying to abide by Dracula's lifestyle, and make him a presentable guest to the nobleman.
I thought the beginning was slow to form and quite boring, but as I continue to read, the story has gotten more and more interesting. At the beginning, Dracula seems to care about John Harker, because he took good care of him, but Dracula shows his true colors when he "saves" John from the vampire women.
Nice comments boys. I think that Jake hit it right on the nail. Jonathan Harker is a decent and respectful man. He's never been to an exotic location before and is not accustomed to the traditions. So while we see the obvious, Jonathan would perhaps just see this as a difference in culture.
I'd like to start by saying this is the first summer reading book which I have had no problem picking up the book and reading for an hour or two at a time. Although I see that the word "naive" was used by some previous blogs, I think it is a word that perfectly describes Harker. John is traveling to a new place of which he doesn't completely understand the culture and traditions. The things in our minds as readers which seem to be forshadowing his futrue at the Count's castle all come from our previous knowledge of the blood-sucking vampire stories; such as the long teeth, the lack of mirrors, and the late night meetings. But I try to put myself in John's position in the novel, and I realize he isn't as much naive as he is ignorant. John simply doesn't know what we readers know about Count Dractula. He just takes the strange lifestyle as the way of life in this different region of the world. He tries not to judge the way the Count lives, but alter his own lifestyle to accomodate the way of Dracula's. I believe it to be a very interesting book, and I, personally, cannot wait to see how Stoker wraps up the plot. I enjoy how it is the same basic Dracula story, but instead of being a horror novel, it is more of a mystery about how and when Van Helsing and Seward will figure out the real cause of the tiny holes, and learn how to stop the vampires.
I think John Harker is both naive and reasonable. Yes, I agree he doesn't know much about the location he is in, and this gives him cause to believe that these mysterious events are normal traditions. However, John should of known something was wrong when he saw Dracula's monstrous facial markings,odd habits, and dead-bolted house.
I think Harker acted reasonable by still acting as a friend to the Count even when he figured out he was a vampire. He didn't ask personal questions, tried to act pleasant about his stay, and continued to help him with his legalcalities of his house in England. If he acted as if he knew Dracula's whole identity, the count could of treated him even worse.
I believe that Johnathan Harker is naive and ignorant. I understand that we, as the readers, may pick up on more of the obvious clues that something is very strange about this man/vampire, but there are clues that even Harker should have picked up on by the way the driver of the coach acted and the way all of the doors of the castle were locked but a few. After so long Johnathan does start to realize and become more aware of what is really going at the castle.
After finlly getting past the first slow chapters, I've found that the book isn't half bad. It beats all of the others that have been assigned previously. I think that Jonathan's reaction from the start is somewhat understandable. If you are a guest in someone's home, you don't really question their odd habits, especially when you are in a foreign country. That part made sense, but Dracula not eating and the lack of servants and mirrors should've given Jonathan a clue that something wasn't right. This clue should have been strengthened when Jonathan was locked in his room, saw the Count change into a lizard and climb down a wall, and when the count shut the door against the wolves. Jonathan might be a little naive, but at the same time, he was scared senseless, so I think he acted reasonably.
It was a slow read to begin with but the more it went on the more I enjoyed it and wanted to keep reading. It is definately the best summer novel we've had to do so far.
And yeah I can see how he could accept the differences at first as Jake says, but come on! Not being able to see him in a mirror was a dead give away that something was not quite right. If you looked in the mirror and didn't see someone in it that you KNEW was standing right behind you what would you do?
If I remember right, correct me if I'm wrong, but that was when he started to accept that something was wrong.
Oh, and in my honest opinion I think that a lot of the characters were niave at some point or another.
The only main character I can't place as being naive at some point was Van Helsing, who by the way I think was utterly awesome :)
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