Chapter 3 - Jonathan Harker's Journal (continued)

Chapter 3 begins with Jonathan starting to panic at the realisation that he has become a prisoner. He also thinks back to his journey and the way he was treated by the old lady at the hotel and his fellow coach passengers who all seemed to fear for him. He decides not to mention anything to the Count and to try to act natural. Upon the Count's return they have another long conversation about soliciting and of the history of the Count's race. Then the Count informs Jonathan that he will have to stay for another month, making his heart grow "cold at the thought". He is also told to write some letters home and given paper and 'thin envelopes' allowing the Count to read what he has written. He writes formal letters home to his boss Mr.Hawkins and to Mina. When the Count leaves with the letters he warns Jonathan not to sleep anywhere in the Castle other than where he has currently been staying! After going to his room for a while, Jonathan again decides to do some more exploring. This time however, he is filled with "repulsion and terror" as he witnesses the Count climb out of a window and crawl down the side of the Castle like a "lizard" and leaves Jonathan to contemplate: "What manner of man is this, or what manner of creature is it in the semblance of man?" He witnesses the Count crawling down the Castle once again several days later, knowing that he has left the Castle for now, he tries to explore rooms that seem to be locked. He finds one with a beautiful view of the moonlight and falls asleep on a couch and wakes up to the voices of three females. He looks at them under his eyelid so as not to alert them. One of them steps forward and places her sharp teeth on his neck before the Count reappears in an angry state. He throws the woman aside and then tells all of them "How dare you touch him, any of you?" and that Jonathan is "forbidden" and belongs to the Count. A female asks "Are we to have nothing tonight?" and the Count produces a child for them and they disappear with it. This makes it known that these women are suspected vampires along with the Count himself! The chapter ends with Jonathan sinking into unconsciousness.

Chapter 2 - Jonathan Harker's Journal (continued)

Chapter 2 of Dracula is also taken from 'Jonathan Harker's Journal' and it follows directly on from the first chapter as Jonathan arrives at Castle Dracula. When he arrives at the Castle he is unsure what to do because it is late and no sign of a knocker or a doorbell. After a while of standing there the grand door is opened and he is greeted by Count Dracula. Dracula's hand is described as "more like the hand of a dead than a living man" and has "strength which made me wince". He is very pale without a "speck of colour about him" and has "long, sharp, canine teeth". Dracula greets him and insists on carrying Jonathan's luggage to his room. After showing him to his room they then settle down for supper, although it is only Jonathan who eats as the Count has already dined. They talk for a while, generally about Jonathan's journey and then he goes to bed. Jonathan sleeps until late the next day and finds some breakfast along with a note excusing the Count because he has business to attend to. He eats alone and then discovers some of the Castle and finds the library. It is here, where he finds lots of English books and magazines that the Count returns and finds him. They talk about English life and the Count gets Jonathan to show him the house that has been procured for him. Jonathan tells him of the castle style, dark and medievil estate that the Count is purchasing. They continue to talk as well about Jonathan's trip again and the blue flames that he saw on his coach journey, however the Count gets annoyed at some of his questions. They continue talk until daybreak, when the Count apologises for keeping him so late and leaves him. The next day when Jonathan is shaving he feels the Count's hand on his shoulder, however he has no reflection in the mirror. This surprises Jonathan and causes him to cut himself. When the Count sees blood dripping from the wound and Jonathan's crucifix he is taken over by "demoniac fury" and reaches for Jonathan who backs away before the Count suspiciously throws his mirror out of the window, smashing it. Jonathan then notes how he hasn't seen the Count eat or drink during his stay and states that he is a "peculiar man". Then after doing a bit more exploring of the Castle and discovering a lot of locked doors Jonathan comes to the conclusion that "The Castle is a veritable prison, and I am a prisoner!". Jonathan, who had slight worries from when he first arrived at the Castle is now very concerned for his safety.

Chapter 1 - Jonathan Harker's Journal

The first chapter of 'Dracula' (Jonathan Harker's Journal) is the diary entries of an Englishman named Jonathan Harker spread on the 3rd and 4th of May. His diary entries describe his journey to visit Castle Dracula by the invitation of Count Dracula in Transylvania which is mentioned to be a very superstitious place. He gets from England to Transylvania by train and comments on the fact that trains seem to become more and more unreliable, the further East you go. He is directed by the Count to the 'Golden Krone Hotel' which is run by an elderly couple. It is here that Jonathan is begged by the old woman to reconsider going to visit the Count and to have an extra day or two to think it over and says that it is "the eve of St.George's Day" and that after midnight "all the evil things in the world will have full sway". She gives him a holy cross to wear, which he accepts and he is fed very well before he leaves. A coach journey is arranged for the next day to take him on the remainder of his journey. There are a lot of crosses that are being made by other passengers and the crowd that is there when he leaves as a sign that they all wish him to have a safe journey and trip! This again highlights the superstitious beliefs of the people of Transylvania. He overhears conversations and looks up their translations and discovers a word that could mean either 'were-wolf' or 'vampire'. The Coach trip is one which goes into the night although it gives Jonathan a chance to witness the beauty of the Transylvanian countryside. The coach reaches its destination where Jonathan is supposed to be picked up ad taken by another coach. There is no sign of it until it suddenly speeds up behind the coach: frightening the other passengers. Jonathan travels alone with the tall bearded man and is scared by the constant howling of dogs and wolves that seem to get closer until they have a confrontation with a fierce pack of wolves. The mysterious coach driver seems to 'brush aside' the wolves as they complete the remainder of their journey and finally arrive at Castle Dracula. The castle seems from the beggining to be a creepy and mysterious place and there are clues that it could be the home of a vampire with its "tall black windows" that don't let light in or out. The long journey builts suspense and leaves you wanting to read onto chapter 2 and Jonathan's first encounter with Count Dracula.

Introduction

Hello my name is James and I am a sixth form student currently studying English Lang & Lit as an A-level course. I have been asked to write a blog as I read through 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker and I am going to use it to record my thoughts and ideas on the book as well as reviewing and analysing it. This will give me experience in writing a blog that I could possibly use for when I write my coursework on a gothic theme. Dracula was written by Bram Stoker in 1897 and is one of the most well-known gothic stories and vampire novels, although not the first of its kind. There have been many different film interpretations of Dracula including 'Dracula' in 1932 and 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' in 1992. In total there have been more than 160 films made in which Dracula plays a main role. This blog will record my thoughts on the novel as well as summarising it chapter by chapter; I hope you enjoy reading my blog and find it of any use to yourself!