- In Chapter 1 of Dracula, Brom Stoker takes great detail to describe Jonathan's travels from the city to the countryside. At one point Jonathan says, "The impression I had was that we were leaving the West and entering the East." How is this significant? What could this represent figuratively in the book as far as a broad-reaching theme that has been seen in the other Gothic novels that we have read? How does this theme develop more clearly in Chapter 2?
- Stoker gives some very nice images in both Chapters 7 and 8 that foreshadow events to come in the book. Discuss.
- How does the function of the fragmentation of this epistolary novel give the reader a different perspective than the characters in the book? Why do you think Stoker chose this kind of technique?
- How is Van Helsing a symbol of the bridge between East and West? (Consider the theme discussed in Question 1.)
Please only choose 1 to discuss. Also, the incorrect date of submission on last week's questions was unintentional. I changed it as soon as it was brought to my attention. We will adhere to the one-week rule except in cases of Holiday. Please feel free to go back and answer from last week.
8 comments:
The epistolary nature of the work is the center of it's genius. Should it be taken from a single viewpoint, the novel would be unbelievable, but the multiple accounts gives it a greater sense of reality to the work and the reader. It allows the reader to understand the occurrences before many of the characters in the book which enhances the action and the involvement of the reader. It is like a crappy horror movie where you yell at the actor or actress to not go in the dark room or break away from the group with full knowledge of your inability to change the action. The technique is amazing and draws the reader in while giving the most back story to each of the characters as well as the situation. Stoker was able to keep a general plot line while introducing multiple perspectives in a short amount of time.
The contrast between east and west again brings home the idea of the supernatural being a foreign idea -- it cannot happen in England! Harker has been raised in an England which praises reason and scientific advancement. Educated people do not believe in the supernatural. However, when Harker personally observes Dracula's oddities -- only conversing at night, no mirror image, not eating or drinking, seeking blood only to be stopped by a rosary -- he becomes uneasy himself and longs to return to a "sane" England. Unfortunately, the supernatural that he believes cannot come to England arrives in the form of Dracula and plays havoc with his reason and his sanity.
The fragmentary segments that make up the novel adds to the realism of the story. Stoker is passing off his novel as history--at the beginning of the novel he lends us to believe that he was a historian or journalist who heard the story of Dracula. Finding it fascinating, he worked to collect its entire story according to the character's individual perspectives. The story for the reader is more of a mystery because they follow each account, they are left to combine the pieces to discover where the story is leading them. We also see more or less the important of writing to the late 19th Century. I think we get a glimpse into the culture of England and see that personal accounts play a significant role in story telling, as opposed to some cold, impersonal expert.
or some thing like that . . .
There are no words to describe how much I absolutely love this novel. I've studied it at length in direct relationship to my job. Creating Dracula as a full-length ballet was no easy feat. The book was there every step of the way for me. In some places there were helpful suggestions in terms of the lore, and in other sections it had to be greatly reworked for the ballet. However, the essence was still there. The author's vivid description of travel to far away distant places is superb. There is something extremely atmospheric about this novel. You can't help but feel your a part of the scene. There's this one scene in the novel when the carriage is stopped and when Harker looks wolves have completely surrounded it. They're not howling though. Instead they're standing in silence. The thought of danger being there and not even knowing about it. Let's not forget the fact that they all begin to howl in unison together. Creeeeepy. One of my favorite things about Dracula is this idea of space. It seems as if they travel to the ends of the earth or civilization to reach Transylvania and Count Dracula. Harker really seems to understand just how far he's come upon meeting the Count more directly and taking in all of his mannerisms and the way he carries himself.
Here's a small promo from the ballet! Just to get us in the mood!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=089W3h-t8e8
As Jonathan travels farther and farther from the West, civilization is presented in a less orderly fashion. Trains and coaches, for instance, deviate more frequently from their appointed schedules; this disorder seems to slightly disgruntle Jonathan, who is acquainted with the more organized transit system of the West. The mish-mash of languages Jonathan encounters also contributes to the foreignness of the setting. Furthermore, the customs of the land confound him. Jonathan also finds that the farther East he goes the more superstitious people become. The townsfolk, for example, warn him several times against visiting Dracula’s habitation. Their superstition and strong faith in religion serve to heighten the suspense of the novel. In short, Jonathan knows very little of the place in which he travels. In addition, the territory in which Jonathan finds himself is greatly unexplored and known for its ancient wars, lending to the mystery of the novel and reinforcing the idea that strange occurrences seem more possible in foreign and unexplored lands –essentially, the East for most Westerners. These factors only enhance the events of chapter two.
The fragmented presentation of the story gives this Gothic novel its own sense of mystery and sublimity. The fact that the tale is told from very different perspectives forces the reader to piece together the ideas of these different accounts. In a way, this fragmentation makes the novel a form of a puzzle. As an almost omniscient reader, it makes the reading of the tale all that much more terrifying. The fact that we can't simply scream at the characters what is going on is a way that Stoker makes the tale personal. We, as readers, piece the puzzle together and yet can't inform the unknowing characters. Hence, the epistolary novel serves as a mysteriously puzzling presentation of the text. One which actually leads the reader to experience and connect more closely with the sublimity of Dracula.
3. This epistelary style provides the reader with intimate perspectives from the eyes of nearly every major character. Lucy, Mina, Dr. Seward, and Jonathan provide different levels of introspection and analysis. Lucy is a coquette, and most of her sections deal with emotions. Mina is very analytical and responsible; she uses her space to analyze the events at hand. Dr. Seward is a man of science and approaches everything through that lens. Jonathan is an ambitious businessman who chooses to be naive to the danger he is in. Stoker's use of this technique allows for greater intimacy between the author and the reader. It also provides a sense of authenticity.
Johathan is a businessman who is naive to the dangers he seems to walk into regulary. Dr. Seward is a man who sees through scienctific answers to everything. He has a hard time believing what is right in front of him if it can't be explained by science.Lucy a woman who is flirty and very emotional. Mina a very strong willed woman who is good at taking charge. All these attributes makes it easier for the author and the reader to have a good sense of authenticity or the ability of making the story come alive.
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