In your opinion, what section in the chapters that we have read since the last post appeal to you as having the vital elements that lead to a successful gothic novel and discuss why.
I think that when he started to uncover the secrets of the castle, the supense really brought my attention to the book and all the little details. When he started trying to work up courage to go into Dracula's room, I didn't stop reading until he actually entered the room. His plot to leave was kind of weird because in my mind I was hoping he wouldn't succeed so it would keep the book interesting. And when he didn't, I strangely sighed with relief. So I think that the suspense, plots and failure really lure people into the trance of reading gothic novels.
What i thought was a vital element was the mystery and uneasyness surounding the count. The mysterious behavior,such as having no reflection and not eating, really give the reader the sense that something is wrong without even knowing for sure what. The increasing suspision is quite a successful element in gothic literature, especially as harker witnesses more and more events in his imprisonment. These dreadful events always left me wondering what was going to happen.
I agree with the above posts, and I found another important literary element, which was the tone the author sets right from the beginning. It is dark, ominous, and mysterious, which makes the reader excited and nervous at the same time. It makes one feel as if something frightening and dangerous is lurking under the surface, just waiting to emerge. The setting also plays an important part, because it is descriptively chilling, making it a perfect environment for a gothic novel to take place.
I think another vital element in Dracula is the point of view of the characters. The POV is first person, and I think that's important to Gothic Horror. We get to walk in their shoes, and experience what they experience. Don't you think that if Dracula was in a different point of view, it would completely change the mood of novel? What do you think?
I agree with jessicee123, If things were all changed around in the book the reader would more likely lose his or her focus and eventually just stop reading the book all together. I feel that the author organized this book for that specific reason:)
I alos agree with jessicee123..she brings up some valid points. Since this is told from the character's shoes, we get a better grasp of the little details and get the chance to piece together details from other letters or journal,etc. We foreshadow things before they happen and most times that's a crucial element in not being too surprised.
"Are we to have nothing tonight?"said one of them, with a low laugh, as she pointed to the bag which he had thrown upon the floor, and which moved as though there were some living thing within it. For answer he nodded his head. One of the women jumped forward and opened it. If my ears did not deceive me there was a gasp and a low wail, as of a half smothered child. The women closed round, whilst I was aghast with horror. But as I looked, they disappeared, and with them the dreadful bag. There was no door near them, and they could not have passed me without my noticing. They simply seemed to fade into the rays of the moonlight and pass out through the window, for I could see outside the dim, shadowy forms for a moment before they entirely faded away." - This piece (which is on the last page of Chapter 3) seemed to me as the PERFECT scenario for a Gothic novel. It left me wanting to keep reading. It was suspenseful and I loved how it led in to another chapter. There is nothing more important that a cliffhanger to keep one reading. I found it amazingly creepy. What could be more horrible than taking away the life of an innocent child!?
I think that when he started to uncover the secrets of the castle, the supense really brought my attention to the book and all the little details. When he started trying to work up courage to go into Dracula's room, I didn't stop reading until he actually entered the room. His plot to leave was kind of weird because in my mind I was hoping he wouldn't succeed so it would keep the book interesting. And when he didn't, I strangely sighed with relief. So I think that the suspense, plots and failure really lure people into the trance of reading gothic novels.
ReplyDeleteI agree. How the novel describes its settings with such painstaking details is a vital part of what made this book what it is. (:
ReplyDeleteWhat i thought was a vital element was the mystery and uneasyness surounding the count. The mysterious behavior,such as having no reflection and not eating, really give the reader the sense that something is wrong without even knowing for sure what. The increasing suspision is quite a successful element in gothic literature, especially as harker witnesses more and more events in his imprisonment. These dreadful events always left me wondering what was going to happen.
ReplyDeleteI agree with CJB. I really got into the books on those parts..I'm waiting for more interesting things to happen.. It's kind of downhill for now..
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ReplyDeleteI agree with the above posts, and I found another important literary element, which was the tone the author sets right from the beginning. It is dark, ominous, and mysterious, which makes the reader excited and nervous at the same time. It makes one feel as if something frightening and dangerous is lurking under the surface, just waiting to emerge. The setting also plays an important part, because it is descriptively chilling, making it a perfect environment for a gothic novel to take place.
ReplyDeleteI think another vital element in Dracula is the point of view of the characters. The POV is first person, and I think that's important to Gothic Horror. We get to walk in their shoes, and experience what they experience. Don't you think that if Dracula was in a different point of view, it would completely change the mood of novel? What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI agree with jessicee123, If things were all changed around in the book the reader would more likely lose his or her focus and eventually just stop reading the book all together. I feel that the author organized this book for that specific reason:)
ReplyDeleteI alos agree with jessicee123..she brings up some valid points. Since this is told from the character's shoes, we get a better grasp of the little details and get the chance to piece together details from other letters or journal,etc. We foreshadow things before they happen and most times that's a crucial element in not being too surprised.
ReplyDelete"Are we to have nothing tonight?"said one of them, with a low laugh, as she pointed to the bag which he had thrown upon the floor, and which moved as though there were some living thing within it. For answer he nodded his head. One of the women jumped forward and opened it. If my ears did not deceive me there was a gasp and a low wail, as of a half smothered child. The women closed round, whilst I was aghast with horror. But as I looked, they disappeared, and with them the dreadful bag. There was no door near them, and they could not have passed me without my noticing. They simply seemed to fade into the rays of the moonlight and pass out through the window, for I could see outside the dim, shadowy forms for a moment before they entirely faded away." - This piece (which is on the last page of Chapter 3) seemed to me as the PERFECT scenario for a Gothic novel. It left me wanting to keep reading. It was suspenseful and I loved how it led in to another chapter. There is nothing more important that a cliffhanger to keep one reading. I found it amazingly creepy. What could be more horrible than taking away the life of an innocent child!?
ReplyDelete