In answer to Miss Beaumont's question...

Yes, sadly people now actually desire to have the 'gift' of vampirism.

It has actually become an obsession amongst many people. There have been cases were obessesed fans have cut their necks and begged the actors who play the vampires to suck their blood!

The Cullen family from twilight totally glamourise vampirism. The characteristics, the amazing good looks and always looking perfect, having lots of money are something everyone desires. Not only this but being able to live forever and not actually able to die is something many find appealing, vampires can be as wreckless as they want, something human teenagers can not, not without dying anyway.

Stephenie Myer's whole portrayal of the vampire world stems from what everyone can only wish they could have. It is incredibly clever of her to use what fans wish they could have and give it to her characters. In the book, Bella desperately wants what Edward has, wants to be what Edward is. Not only is it Stephenie Myer but other Gothic author's have done the same. ALL of the characteristics of the vampires, lycans and loup garoux alike, are something we cannot have, they are things we cannot be, it is when people realise this reality they are forced to face the fact. All humans, can only be just human.

The whole gothic genre is an escape from reality, unlike fairtytales where the audience know the happiness will eventually end.

*exhales deeply* phew! now my little rant is over, back to Dracula :) x

I see a vampire...

What is happening to Lucy?

Sharp teeth + bite marks on her neck + reaction to garlic = i'd say that's a vampire wouldn't you?

Yes stoker is introducing all the stereotypical characteristics of what we know to be a vampire. Her wild reaction to van helsing not allowing her to kiss him and her almost feral behaviour is something that Stoker makes his own.

It's very interesting how reading modern gothic literature there is a change in the characteristics of vampire. In twilight (yes, i had to mention it!) for example;
Bella asks Edward "so what about steaks?" he answers "Myth."
"sleeping in coffins?"
"Myth."

It's intreguing as to why these characteristics have changed and how the vampire is clearly shown in Dracula to been something that is feared and terrfying, to something in modern gothic literature that is amazing, beautiful and powerful. What once was loathed now is loved, what was once something nobody wanted, is something everyone would love to have..

Chapters 5 - 7

What has happened to Johnathan?
The introduction of the character of Mina and her friend Lucy is very interesting. We learn who Mina is in relation to Johnathan and that she is his fiance. The use of letters and change in style of text is useful as it helps to establish the relationship between Mina and Lucy. We then get to Mina's journal in which an increasing worry about Jonathan begins to increase our aprehension. I love this build up of tension, it keeps the reader eager to read more!

I love the change in gender as well and how Stoker clearly sets the gender difference by thier style of writing.

Got to read more, i want to know what has happened to Johnathan Harker! ...

Ooooh chilling...

After reading chapter four i have got chills up my spine! I did not see this turn of events happening. The description of the count in the coffin is just grotseque and creepy. I got goosebumps reading it! A personal lover of gore and anything vampy i am now begining to really like this book, although the langauge does confuse me -i am finding the use of my dictionary much appreciated!

The description of the women in chapter three goes back to theme my group talked about in the english presentation of 'blood lust' its very sexual like many other vampire novels. The description of the count's lizard-like crawling down the wall is very creepy. JH fear and aprehension and just plain terror is written very well in chapter four. Increasing suspicisions and then the revelations really help to captivate the reader.

As much of a wuss as i am, i definately will not be reading dracula before bed tonight!

So far so good..

After reading up to chapter 3 i have not got much more to ask about. What i found fascinating was the introduction of Dracula's character.

I seem to be forever growing in interest as to the similarities between Dracula and other gothic novels i have read. Dracula's physical characteristics are alot like that of all the vampires in Twilight. The cold skin, paleness, sharp teeth, dark eyes etc are all characteristics that Stephenie Meyer used within her novels.

The story seems to get increasingly exciting, increasingly aprehensive and alluring. The reader want to read on. The absence and short appearences of Dracula create or add to the already mystery surronding his character. The fact he leaves notes is very captivating, like clues left at a murder scene.

I love the fact different types of writing are used. JH's journal, letters from the count etc. Its very well written, and all of the different types of writing fit together brilliantly. 'These papers have been put together'. the use of journal and letters make the book seem more real and true to a possible real event.

Although dracula is not a book i'd choose to read, it is a book im now finding hard to put down..

CHAPTER 1

Okay so after reading chapter one i realise that dracula is definately a gothic novel. The use of gothic places, the castle being a prime example of this is evidence for my point. I love how the book begins as a normal diary. The character Johnothan Harker just details his journey from Munich to Transylvania. What immedietly sprung to mind was the question, did transylvania's asociation with vampires come from this book, or was the book inspired by this?

The pace and eerieness (sorry about any spelling mistakes by the way!) of the chapter begins to grow almost immedietly. The character of the old women who enters his room yelling "Must you go? oh! young Herr, must you go?" is the beginings of the tensions rising as she creates the atmostphere by explaining "all evil things will have full sway". This is another example of the 'gothicness' of the book, this makes the reader begin to wonder what may happen within the book, a mytery urging the readers on.

The use of a crucifix is interesting as it is a very religious symbol, one some christians wear today (although most wear crosses, a crucifix has to have Jesus on to make it a crucifix). The connection made between religion and supernatural beings is interesting, again making me wonder did dracula begin the connection or was Bram Stoker inspired by it when writing?

Then there is the letter from Count Dracula to Jonathan. This is our first insight to the character of Dracula, a one that although not describing his appearance gives us a good idea of his character, simply through his writing style.

The book so far seems interesting and i certainly want to read more so off to read again i guess..

Yeah..ive been made to do this -.-

So for english A level all of my class have to create a dracula blog! YAY! *coughs*
Basically we have to read a section of dracula and post any questions or any comments about it. So ta-da heres my blog. Yes its probably way boring than anyone else's but meh :P x

I have literally read a paragraph in class so its time to read up i guess....