The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

The Gothic Project - Dracula Week 6 (Conclusion): Chapters XXVI & XXVII and Note

1) When the group goes on a road trip there is a lot of what some people might call "hurry up and wait." How does the flow of the book change? Do you like this change?

2) Eventually, the group splits up to chase Dracula in three different routes. How does the ‘compiled documents’ style of the book enable this? Do you like how the narrative jumps around here?

3) How close is Mina to becoming a vampire?

4) How do you like the pace of the ending?

5) How do you like the results?

6) The Note contains a short update about the group members' lives. How do you feel about this final piece of the novel?
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Entire Book

7) Dracula has never been out of print, and more movies have been derived from Dracula than from any other novel. To what do you attribute this continuous popularity? The story, in one form or another, has been popular in many countries over a long period of time. Does this suggest that it answers some need that is simply human rather than social or historical?

8) Dracula pits science and reason against superstition and the occult. Are these opposing philosophies ever reconciled? Does the truth of one argue against the existence of the other?

9) Consider the roles of Lucy Westenra and Mina Harker in the novel. How are the two women similar? Different?

In the early parts of the novel, it felt like very different stories were being stitched together: Harker at Dracula's castle, the arrival of the ship, Renfield at the asylum, etc. The stories were mainly told through the notes of different characters. Toward the end, the characters are interacting, and giving different perspectives on the same events.

I loved how in the final chapters, as they are converging on Dracula's castle, the excerpts from their journals get shorter, and the pace accelerates. We see every obstacle as they race to catch up with and destroy the vampire.

As far as the science and reason, that is true to an extent, but the importance of Christianity is a big element too. With other monsters, there isn't always the same sense of religion vs paganism. Creating life, as Dr. Frankenstein did, is obviously "playing God" but I don't think any religious symbols are used against the monster.

JP wrote: "In the early parts of the novel, it felt like very different stories were being stitched together: Harker at Dracula's castle, the arrival of the ship, Renfield at the asylum, etc. The stories were..."

While I enjoyed the entire book, the ending was my favorite part. The pace was faster and there was much more suspense.

Robin P wrote: "As far as the science and reason, that is true to an extent, but the importance of Christianity is a big element too. With other monsters, there isn't always the same sense of religion vs paganism...."

Agreed

I thoroughly enjoyed this re-reading of Dracula and understand how the basic story has stood the test of time. Not only was the novel well-written and well-constructed, it also touches a basic chord in us, not matter how advanced we think we are. Most of us must admit that deep down inside we are afraid of the monster that lives in our closet or creeps around in the dark. Stoker's decision to make Dracula's worst attacks occur at night was no mistake. I also greatly enjoyed the conclusion of the novel, especially the happy ending. Or was it? As I was reading the novel, I also listened to Mark Gatiss's excellent recording, which contained a critical essay suggesting that the infant Quincy might be affected later in life by the blood of Dracula which Mina swallowed. Interesting possibilty.

Nancy wrote: "I thoroughly enjoyed this re-reading of Dracula and understand how the basic story has stood the test of time. Not only was the novel well-written and well-constructed, it also touches a basic chor..."

Hmm, that could lead to a sequel - Son of Dracula, or Cursed by Dracula, or Blood of Dracula, etc.

I've been a huge vampire fan for nearly three decades, but my favorites are still these classic stories such as Carmilla and Dracula.