Today we're reviewing the entire book, but specifically the most recent posts that have no comments on them.
1) Read through all the posts that everyone has written. When you get to the bottom of this page, click the "older posts" link to read more.
2) Write at least FOUR THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS on four different blog posts. You do this by clicking the "_ comments" link at the end of a post. Then you write your thoughtful comment in the window that pops up. Here's what I mean by "thoughtful":
- a detailed response to an opinion you read (why you do or do not agree with the blogger)
- an interpretation of a quote that the blogger wrote down
- bringing up an event/theme/character from the book that a blogger forgot to mention and giving your two cents on why it's important
- giving your detailed opinion about an event/theme/character the blogger did mention, telling us why you think it's important (or maybe why you think it's not as important as something else)
- using one of the vocab words in a sentence that shows me you know what the word means (YOU MAY ONLY DO THIS FOR ONE OF YOUR COMMENTS)
3) Add your initials to the bottom of your comment so I know it was you who wrote it (don't use your name though for safety reasons!)
4) After each comment you write, click "Anonymous," then click "Publish Your Comment"
If you want to discuss the ending of the book (Dracula's demise), write comments here!
Test tomorrow!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Pages 377-381
QUOTE:
"Some of the Slovaks tell us that a big boat passed them, going at more than usual speed as she had a double crew on board." (Jonathan Harker's Journal pg. 379)
This quote is important because it is saying that Dracula could be making the boat go faster with some of his powers.
the main point of what we read was about them following Dracula down river and those that they encountered on the way. they devised a plan to sail with a Romanian flag because people thought they were govt officials so people let them on the boat freely to inspect whatever they wanted and ask questions it didn't work they didn't find him and couldn't locate his exact whereabouts but they got a lot of info.
"Some of the Slovaks tell us that a big boat passed them, going at more than usual speed as she had a double crew on board." (Jonathan Harker's Journal pg. 379)
This quote is important because it is saying that Dracula could be making the boat go faster with some of his powers.
the main point of what we read was about them following Dracula down river and those that they encountered on the way. they devised a plan to sail with a Romanian flag because people thought they were govt officials so people let them on the boat freely to inspect whatever they wanted and ask questions it didn't work they didn't find him and couldn't locate his exact whereabouts but they got a lot of info.
Pages 367-371
Mina's journal on 367, told us that Johnathan, Dr.Seward, and Van Helsing were on their way to go see the shipping agent to learn about the boat Dracula was on. As they did that Mina, Quincey, and Arthur waited at the hotel. Johnthan, Seward, and Van Helsing found out that a man named Immanuel Hildesheim picked up the box from the boat and then another man named Petrof Skinsky got the box for him, but Johnathan an the others were unable to find Skinsky. Later Skinsky was found dead in the church yard of St.Peter so they fled to the hotel.
"Mine friend, that Devil is more clever than he is thought by some; and he know when he meet his match!" (Captain Donelson in Johnathans journal, pg 368)
-He's stating that Dracula is smarter than they think but he knows that they're a threat to him.
Corroborated~ verified
This was corroborted by his landlord...
"Mine friend, that Devil is more clever than he is thought by some; and he know when he meet his match!" (Captain Donelson in Johnathans journal, pg 368)
-He's stating that Dracula is smarter than they think but he knows that they're a threat to him.
Corroborated~ verified
This was corroborted by his landlord...
Pages 371-377
In the section we read Mina was writting in her journal about Johnathan and how bad she felt because of his suffering that she has made him go through. We found out how Dracula moves his boxes and now he had some shipped off to London. Immanuel trapoted the boxes to Transylvania and didn't know that Dracula was in one of them, he just thought it was stuff that he ordered.Quincey suggest that in order to kill Dracula they will have to seperate his head from his body.
Quote:
"There must be no chances, this time; we shall not rest until the Count's head and body have been seperated, and we are sure he cannot re-incarnate." - Quincey (page374-375)
This meaning they now feel that in order to make sure Dracula is really dead and can't come back they basically want to decapitate his head from his body for them to know that he is really dead for good.
Quote:
"There must be no chances, this time; we shall not rest until the Count's head and body have been seperated, and we are sure he cannot re-incarnate." - Quincey (page374-375)
This meaning they now feel that in order to make sure Dracula is really dead and can't come back they basically want to decapitate his head from his body for them to know that he is really dead for good.
Pages 364-376
Short Summary:
Jonathan and everyone prepared their best for when Dracula arrives. Mina starts to act weird which gives them the hint Dracula is close, but not yet on shore. They could hear men outside and Mina shivered then came out of her trance cold and exhausted. No one would tell Mina of what just happened, instead they then took Mina to their hotel room, it's probably much safer there.
Important quote:
"You see, my friends. He is close to land: he has left his earth chest. But he has yet to get on shore." -Van Helsing (Page 365)
-This is important because it shows the reader about how far Dracula is and how soon he might be arriving.
Jonathan and everyone prepared their best for when Dracula arrives. Mina starts to act weird which gives them the hint Dracula is close, but not yet on shore. They could hear men outside and Mina shivered then came out of her trance cold and exhausted. No one would tell Mina of what just happened, instead they then took Mina to their hotel room, it's probably much safer there.
Important quote:
"You see, my friends. He is close to land: he has left his earth chest. But he has yet to get on shore." -Van Helsing (Page 365)
-This is important because it shows the reader about how far Dracula is and how soon he might be arriving.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Dec. 10, 2008
Laconically=Using a minimum of words, to get to the point.
Themes: Sexuality/Promiscuity/Purity
New vs. Old
Maturity and Modernity/Antiquiety
Religion
Our protaganists begin their epic journey back to the starting point of our story: Translyvania and there, Dracula's castle. The Count must travel by sea, lugging his last coffin with him, an inconvenience which is a slower route than our heroes who are to travel on land, taking the path of least resistance from France. It is a race to the finish which inultimately will end in the life of the seeming immortal Count or the lives of our revenge-bent heroes.
The trivial banter which accompanies the trip must make it easier for our heroes to bear the upcoming battle. Even preparation for their deaths as Mina asks Jonathan to read aloud their burial plans keeps their minds occupied and from sinking into a recessive depression and feelings of hopelessness. Communication by telegrams alert the clan to the location of their oppresser and so they are to be prepared this time so as not to experience another such detrimentality as the backfire of a structurally weak attack plan. Dracula will not escape this time, they are in the know and time is on their side. They have no coffin to carry, weighted by the soil they now travel on in a frantic race to to beat the clock.
Themes: Sexuality/Promiscuity/Purity
New vs. Old
Maturity and Modernity/Antiquiety
Religion
Our protaganists begin their epic journey back to the starting point of our story: Translyvania and there, Dracula's castle. The Count must travel by sea, lugging his last coffin with him, an inconvenience which is a slower route than our heroes who are to travel on land, taking the path of least resistance from France. It is a race to the finish which inultimately will end in the life of the seeming immortal Count or the lives of our revenge-bent heroes.
The trivial banter which accompanies the trip must make it easier for our heroes to bear the upcoming battle. Even preparation for their deaths as Mina asks Jonathan to read aloud their burial plans keeps their minds occupied and from sinking into a recessive depression and feelings of hopelessness. Communication by telegrams alert the clan to the location of their oppresser and so they are to be prepared this time so as not to experience another such detrimentality as the backfire of a structurally weak attack plan. Dracula will not escape this time, they are in the know and time is on their side. They have no coffin to carry, weighted by the soil they now travel on in a frantic race to to beat the clock.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Tuesday December 9,2008
Pages 333-chapter 24
Todays quote: "In some faculties of mind he has been, and is, only a child; but he is growing, and some things that were childish at the first are now of man's stature." -Van Helsing (p.320)
They guy who runs the ship speaks polyglot-a lot of lagunages, because there are so many different types of people aboard the ship. Van Helsing is feeling uncomfortable with the way that the man at the ship yard is speaking to him. Johnathan has a secret that he wants to tell Mina about them going to Transivania to kill Dracula. He feels his loyalty is to his wife and no one else so he is confused about telling her the secret and risking the plan they have put together. Quince suggest that they bring weapons with them, when they get to Transivania and go to the castle.
I think that they are going to make it to Transivania and the next couple of chapters and go to the castle.
Todays quote: "In some faculties of mind he has been, and is, only a child; but he is growing, and some things that were childish at the first are now of man's stature." -Van Helsing (p.320)
They guy who runs the ship speaks polyglot-a lot of lagunages, because there are so many different types of people aboard the ship. Van Helsing is feeling uncomfortable with the way that the man at the ship yard is speaking to him. Johnathan has a secret that he wants to tell Mina about them going to Transivania to kill Dracula. He feels his loyalty is to his wife and no one else so he is confused about telling her the secret and risking the plan they have put together. Quince suggest that they bring weapons with them, when they get to Transivania and go to the castle.
I think that they are going to make it to Transivania and the next couple of chapters and go to the castle.
Monday, December 8, 2008
perfunctory- done as a duty or routine but without much care or interest.
"we had a sort of perfunctory supper together and i think it cheered us all up somewhat" - Sewards Diary
there is an attack on dracula at one of his hiding spots and they barely even strike dracula only jonathon gets a piece of him and sends the counts money flying around the floor which dracula quickly picks up and leaves and gives the men a erie message about how they can never defeat him and he has already taken their women to be his jakals so that he may feed as he pleases later they return home and hypnotise mina so see if there is a link between her and dracula there must be because mina reveals draculas location which is a ship which the men will try and find
"we had a sort of perfunctory supper together and i think it cheered us all up somewhat" - Sewards Diary
there is an attack on dracula at one of his hiding spots and they barely even strike dracula only jonathon gets a piece of him and sends the counts money flying around the floor which dracula quickly picks up and leaves and gives the men a erie message about how they can never defeat him and he has already taken their women to be his jakals so that he may feed as he pleases later they return home and hypnotise mina so see if there is a link between her and dracula there must be because mina reveals draculas location which is a ship which the men will try and find
Friday, December 5, 2008
December 5th, 2008
Pages 306-319
"Unclean! Unclean! Even the Almighty shuns my polluted flesh! I must bear this mark of shame upon my forehead until Judgment Day." -Mina via Jonathan's Journal (Page 314)
What might happen to Mina:
-Perhaps she will turn against them to soon and attack Jonathan.
-She will do all of Dracula's bidding.
Renfield has died, this might mean:
-Dracula has plenty of 'minions'
-Dracula may not have human emotions.
If Dracula can just kill off people/vampires once they screw up or he just decides to, why does it seem Mina may be the one Dracula keeps around? And why not just kill off the Van Helsing and the gang? Perhaps it's just a game Dracula plays out of boredom. Or perhaps They are not on his mind, and isn't worried about them, they are not threatening enough and he has his own selfish needs to tend to first.
Johnathan speaks of a conversation with Mina where she speaks of God leading them to the end. This seems to worry him, because she says it in such a way, that makes it seems Mina thinks the end is coming soon. He speaks of the injuries Refield was found with. It would have been hard for Renfield to acquire the injuries himself, but there as no sign of anyone else in the room. When Jonathan asks Mina if she is afraid, she says she is not scared for herself, but for those who love. She would rather die than turn into her fate, kill herself to save herself and the one's she loves the pain. Johnathan doesn't like this idea, and wants Mina to strive to live, to fight until this great is passed. Mina stayed calm and promises that if God lets her live she will strive to do so, which brought much strength to the others, and they decide she will still keep the records of everything still. They speak of the Count no longer knowing their intentions, but if he has mind control over Mina, then couldn't he figure out what their intentions are if she is still the record keeper? They think the Count may have the papers to all his layers in his house located in Piccadilly, so they need the dirt from other places to bless, Picadilly more than any because they think it might be the central location. They decide to hire a lock smith to pick the lock in the middle of the day, saying they are the owners it should not be suspicious if they don't do it at a time a robber may be about.
Van Helsing blessed Mina with a cross and a prayer before leaving, but in placing the cross upon her forehead she scream as it burns through her skin. She screams and says
"Unclean! Unclean! Even the Almighty shuns my polluted flesh! I must bear this mark of shame upon my forehead until Judgment Day." -Mina via Jonathan's Journal (Page 314)
They got into Carfax with ease, and finds everything they found the first time. The terrible memories pushed them to look hard, but only found what was already there and the dirt boxes left as though they have not been touched. No papers or items of help could be found. The professor pried open one of the wood boxes of dirt, but made sure to leave all the boxes as they found them. All this written by Jonathan from the train as they are headed to Piccadilly.
Their [plan to get into the house was sucessful. The house smelled like the house in Carfax. They found eight of the nine boxes of dirt, but where could the ninth box have been? One by one they treated those boxes of dirt as well. They found water looked as if it was stained with blood, and a set of keys, probably to the rest of the Count's houses. But they must find that last house, with that last box of earth.
Perhaps is Dracula is killed purity is restored, and those who were turned may turn back to normal.
"Unclean! Unclean! Even the Almighty shuns my polluted flesh! I must bear this mark of shame upon my forehead until Judgment Day." -Mina via Jonathan's Journal (Page 314)
What might happen to Mina:
-Perhaps she will turn against them to soon and attack Jonathan.
-She will do all of Dracula's bidding.
Renfield has died, this might mean:
-Dracula has plenty of 'minions'
-Dracula may not have human emotions.
If Dracula can just kill off people/vampires once they screw up or he just decides to, why does it seem Mina may be the one Dracula keeps around? And why not just kill off the Van Helsing and the gang? Perhaps it's just a game Dracula plays out of boredom. Or perhaps They are not on his mind, and isn't worried about them, they are not threatening enough and he has his own selfish needs to tend to first.
Johnathan speaks of a conversation with Mina where she speaks of God leading them to the end. This seems to worry him, because she says it in such a way, that makes it seems Mina thinks the end is coming soon. He speaks of the injuries Refield was found with. It would have been hard for Renfield to acquire the injuries himself, but there as no sign of anyone else in the room. When Jonathan asks Mina if she is afraid, she says she is not scared for herself, but for those who love. She would rather die than turn into her fate, kill herself to save herself and the one's she loves the pain. Johnathan doesn't like this idea, and wants Mina to strive to live, to fight until this great is passed. Mina stayed calm and promises that if God lets her live she will strive to do so, which brought much strength to the others, and they decide she will still keep the records of everything still. They speak of the Count no longer knowing their intentions, but if he has mind control over Mina, then couldn't he figure out what their intentions are if she is still the record keeper? They think the Count may have the papers to all his layers in his house located in Piccadilly, so they need the dirt from other places to bless, Picadilly more than any because they think it might be the central location. They decide to hire a lock smith to pick the lock in the middle of the day, saying they are the owners it should not be suspicious if they don't do it at a time a robber may be about.
Van Helsing blessed Mina with a cross and a prayer before leaving, but in placing the cross upon her forehead she scream as it burns through her skin. She screams and says
"Unclean! Unclean! Even the Almighty shuns my polluted flesh! I must bear this mark of shame upon my forehead until Judgment Day." -Mina via Jonathan's Journal (Page 314)
They got into Carfax with ease, and finds everything they found the first time. The terrible memories pushed them to look hard, but only found what was already there and the dirt boxes left as though they have not been touched. No papers or items of help could be found. The professor pried open one of the wood boxes of dirt, but made sure to leave all the boxes as they found them. All this written by Jonathan from the train as they are headed to Piccadilly.
Their [plan to get into the house was sucessful. The house smelled like the house in Carfax. They found eight of the nine boxes of dirt, but where could the ninth box have been? One by one they treated those boxes of dirt as well. They found water looked as if it was stained with blood, and a set of keys, probably to the rest of the Count's houses. But they must find that last house, with that last box of earth.
Perhaps is Dracula is killed purity is restored, and those who were turned may turn back to normal.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
12/4/08
pp. 292 -
SUFFUSION: the act of spreading throughout or over
"The suffusion of the brain will increase quickly, so we must trephine at once or it may be too late." (p.292, Seward's Diary)
Renfield talks about a dream he had about Dracula where he bits Mina. The men all run to Mina and Jonathan's room and find Dracula forcing Mina to drink his blood. They chase him off and recover Mina and Jonathan. Arthur and Quincey find that all the manuscripts have been burned and Renfield is dead in his room. Dracula says he now has mind power over Mina.
SUFFUSION: the act of spreading throughout or over
"The suffusion of the brain will increase quickly, so we must trephine at once or it may be too late." (p.292, Seward's Diary)
Renfield talks about a dream he had about Dracula where he bits Mina. The men all run to Mina and Jonathan's room and find Dracula forcing Mina to drink his blood. They chase him off and recover Mina and Jonathan. Arthur and Quincey find that all the manuscripts have been burned and Renfield is dead in his room. Dracula says he now has mind power over Mina.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
"you've got their lives, you know, and you must put up with their souls!"
dracula is transporting boxes of dirt to a new place in picidle. So at any time he could be at his other place. Reinfield was acting in control and playing mind games. Reinfield was still thinking about souls. Seward brought Van Helsing, Reinfield was spreading sugar out for the flys.
the themes are the boxes of dirt in the new place for dracula, if dracula is going to go after mina, are the rats dracula, and what almost killed reinfield
dracula is transporting boxes of dirt to a new place in picidle. So at any time he could be at his other place. Reinfield was acting in control and playing mind games. Reinfield was still thinking about souls. Seward brought Van Helsing, Reinfield was spreading sugar out for the flys.
the themes are the boxes of dirt in the new place for dracula, if dracula is going to go after mina, are the rats dracula, and what almost killed reinfield
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
December 2, 2008
Pages 259 - 272
Vocab
Miasma: unplesant or unwholesome air
"There was an earthy smell, as of some dry miasma, which came through the fouler air." (Jonathan Harker's Journal pg. 265)
What is Renfield doing in the insane asylum? What are his motivations? We already know that Arthur, Quincy, John, Jonathan, and Van Helsing are looking for Dracula so they can kill him, but why is Renfield trying to do the same thing? Maybe he's trying to save all their lives, or trying to help his "master" fulfill his plans with England. Perhaps Renfield has some sort of secret deal with Dracula. It could be that if he helps this demon vampire, Dracula will change Renfield into a complete vampire. That could be the most dangerous thing that could happen in the book.
The men are on a search for the dreadful Dracula. They made there way to his new castle that rests in England. They've made there way through one part and had to use some skeleton keys to unlock certain doors. In one of the rooms they found some of the boxes that came from the Count's castle in Tranyslvania, but there were only twenty-nine there from the original fifty that should've been sent there. In almost all the rooms of the house are rats. At first there were just a few and then thousands appeared. Maybe the rats are Dracula, since we found out he can take the shape of some animals yesterday.
What about Mina? All these guys are going out searching for Dracula, and yet Mina stays in the house alone. What if when all the men are gone Dracula comes and takes her or even bites her? If Jonathan realizes this what can he do about it? There doesn't seem to be any safe place in all of England. Is there anywhere she can go to stay out of harms way? Does such a place even exist? She seems to be very concerned about what Jonathan and the others are doing. Mina seems to be blaming herself for what happened to Lucy.
Vocab
Miasma: unplesant or unwholesome air
"There was an earthy smell, as of some dry miasma, which came through the fouler air." (Jonathan Harker's Journal pg. 265)
What is Renfield doing in the insane asylum? What are his motivations? We already know that Arthur, Quincy, John, Jonathan, and Van Helsing are looking for Dracula so they can kill him, but why is Renfield trying to do the same thing? Maybe he's trying to save all their lives, or trying to help his "master" fulfill his plans with England. Perhaps Renfield has some sort of secret deal with Dracula. It could be that if he helps this demon vampire, Dracula will change Renfield into a complete vampire. That could be the most dangerous thing that could happen in the book.
The men are on a search for the dreadful Dracula. They made there way to his new castle that rests in England. They've made there way through one part and had to use some skeleton keys to unlock certain doors. In one of the rooms they found some of the boxes that came from the Count's castle in Tranyslvania, but there were only twenty-nine there from the original fifty that should've been sent there. In almost all the rooms of the house are rats. At first there were just a few and then thousands appeared. Maybe the rats are Dracula, since we found out he can take the shape of some animals yesterday.
What about Mina? All these guys are going out searching for Dracula, and yet Mina stays in the house alone. What if when all the men are gone Dracula comes and takes her or even bites her? If Jonathan realizes this what can he do about it? There doesn't seem to be any safe place in all of England. Is there anywhere she can go to stay out of harms way? Does such a place even exist? She seems to be very concerned about what Jonathan and the others are doing. Mina seems to be blaming herself for what happened to Lucy.
Monday, December 1, 2008
12-01-08
pg: 249-?
qoute: ' "but to fail here, is not more life or death it is that we become as him; that henceforward become foul things of the night like him - without heart or conscience, preying on the bodies in the soul of those we love best' "
qoute: ' "but to fail here, is not more life or death it is that we become as him; that henceforward become foul things of the night like him - without heart or conscience, preying on the bodies in the soul of those we love best' "
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
12-26-08
From Page 240 to Page 249
The vocabulary word for the day is:
Auspice = Forecast or omen
The quote of the day is from Seward's Diary but said to Renfield by Mina:
" 'Goodbye, and I hope I may see you often, under auspices pleasanter to yourself,' to which, to my astonishment, he replied: - " (p. 247)
Arthur and Mina think of themselves as brothers and sisters because Lucy died and Arthur was Lucy's fiance and Mina was Lucy's bestfriend and they both feel close to each other because of the death of Lucy and Mina was trying to be helpful.
Mr. Godalming and Morris visit Harker and his wonderful wife's home and studied the transcript of the various diaries and letters which Harker and his wife had made and arranged. Dr. Seward ask to see the patient Dr. Renfield.
I would comment on the pages we read in the book today but I can't understand what exactly is going on but I can say that I think Arthur and Mina will have a beautiful friendship because they had something in common that they loved and lost and that common was Lucy, Mina was the bestfriend and Arthur was the husband
A.M.J
The vocabulary word for the day is:
Auspice = Forecast or omen
The quote of the day is from Seward's Diary but said to Renfield by Mina:
" 'Goodbye, and I hope I may see you often, under auspices pleasanter to yourself,' to which, to my astonishment, he replied: - " (p. 247)
Arthur and Mina think of themselves as brothers and sisters because Lucy died and Arthur was Lucy's fiance and Mina was Lucy's bestfriend and they both feel close to each other because of the death of Lucy and Mina was trying to be helpful.
Mr. Godalming and Morris visit Harker and his wonderful wife's home and studied the transcript of the various diaries and letters which Harker and his wife had made and arranged. Dr. Seward ask to see the patient Dr. Renfield.
I would comment on the pages we read in the book today but I can't understand what exactly is going on but I can say that I think Arthur and Mina will have a beautiful friendship because they had something in common that they loved and lost and that common was Lucy, Mina was the bestfriend and Arthur was the husband
A.M.J
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Nov. 25, 2008
"Kiss her dead lips if you will, as she would have you do, if for her to choose. For she is not a grinning devil now-not any more a foul thng for all eternity. No longer she is the devil's un-dead. She is God's true dead, whose soul is with Him!" (P.229)
Lucy is no longer victim to Dracula's cruelties. She no longer poses threat to those around her and can finally rest her soul at God's feet at whom shall guard it indispensably. Kiss her dead lips now if you wish, for she has no valour nor need to attack now, she is no longer Dracula's un-dead; captive to his treacherous voodooism; she is at last God's true dead, released from captivity and allowed to rest in peace.
Lucy is no longer victim to Dracula's cruelties. She no longer poses threat to those around her and can finally rest her soul at God's feet at whom shall guard it indispensably. Kiss her dead lips now if you wish, for she has no valour nor need to attack now, she is no longer Dracula's un-dead; captive to his treacherous voodooism; she is at last God's true dead, released from captivity and allowed to rest in peace.
Friday, November 21, 2008
11/21
Pages 204-218
Vocab
Chagrin= a feeling of annoyance and embarrasment or disappointment.
Quote
" Van Helsing did not seem to notice my silence, at any rate, he showed neither chagrin nor triumph" Seward's Diary (page 211).
Arthur and helsing are at the graveyard and helsing wants to cut off lucy's head to do some sort of experiment on it but arthur doesnt want helsing to. But arthur than changes his mind cuz helsing manipulates him by saying that all of them gave her blood so she can survive so he also gets to decide if he can cut her head off.
Vocab
Chagrin= a feeling of annoyance and embarrasment or disappointment.
Quote
" Van Helsing did not seem to notice my silence, at any rate, he showed neither chagrin nor triumph" Seward's Diary (page 211).
Arthur and helsing are at the graveyard and helsing wants to cut off lucy's head to do some sort of experiment on it but arthur doesnt want helsing to. But arthur than changes his mind cuz helsing manipulates him by saying that all of them gave her blood so she can survive so he also gets to decide if he can cut her head off.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
"she is one of God's women, fashioned by His own hand to show us men and other women that there is a heaven where we can enter, and that its light can be here on Earth. So true, so sweet, so little an egoist - and that, let me tell you, is much in this age, so sceptical and selfish." (p.198) -Van Helsing
in class we talked about how much van hesling knows about vampires/lucy. i believe that he doesnt know much and he is just guessing. Like lucy is his guine pig that he is testing his believes on.
Jonathan Barker is now healed from the help of Van Helsing, Jonathan autmatically believes that Helsing will be able to help him in his troubles with Dracula. Mina and Van Helsing both have read through Jonathans diary so they are all on the same page about the situation. Van Helsing possilby read the article about the women biting women around town and he can infer that it might be Lucy since she has finally turned.
in class we talked about how much van hesling knows about vampires/lucy. i believe that he doesnt know much and he is just guessing. Like lucy is his guine pig that he is testing his believes on.
Jonathan Barker is now healed from the help of Van Helsing, Jonathan autmatically believes that Helsing will be able to help him in his troubles with Dracula. Mina and Van Helsing both have read through Jonathans diary so they are all on the same page about the situation. Van Helsing possilby read the article about the women biting women around town and he can infer that it might be Lucy since she has finally turned.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
polyandrist- a wife who practices polygymy (having more than one wife)
"then this so sweet maid is a polyandrist,and me,with my poor wife dead to me ... am a bigamist"
jonathon and mina are walking through picadilly square and they see a cloaked man who is tall and thin and is transfixed on something so he doesnt even notice jonathon at first but jonathon does notice draculas pearly sharp white teeth and anamalistic appearance also dracula had a dark moustache and looked much more youthful he ges very upset after this and later forgets the whole thing after falling asleep
mina and jonathon made an oath not to read each others journals but mina has decided to break that oath and go into jonathons journal she reads all that he experienced and is troubled on which conclusion is worse: he husband has gone mad or that its all true and dracula is now free to roam around london
there is some report about the "boofer lady" attacking children and leaving them w/ small wounds on their neck the lady is both pretty and scary and possibly lucy
helsing found minas letters and want to meet her they meet and i think mina likes him but she probly doesnt they meet and talk and she decides to just give him jonathons journal
"then this so sweet maid is a polyandrist,and me,with my poor wife dead to me ... am a bigamist"
jonathon and mina are walking through picadilly square and they see a cloaked man who is tall and thin and is transfixed on something so he doesnt even notice jonathon at first but jonathon does notice draculas pearly sharp white teeth and anamalistic appearance also dracula had a dark moustache and looked much more youthful he ges very upset after this and later forgets the whole thing after falling asleep
mina and jonathon made an oath not to read each others journals but mina has decided to break that oath and go into jonathons journal she reads all that he experienced and is troubled on which conclusion is worse: he husband has gone mad or that its all true and dracula is now free to roam around london
van helsing makes a speech about king laugh and its very long but there are alot of hidden meanings and its very eloquent
there is some report about the "boofer lady" attacking children and leaving them w/ small wounds on their neck the lady is both pretty and scary and possibly lucy
helsing found minas letters and want to meet her they meet and i think mina likes him but she probly doesnt they meet and talk and she decides to just give him jonathons journal
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
11-18-08
"IT WAS AS IF THE BLOOD, NO LONGER NEEDED FOR THE WORKING OF THE HEART, HAD GONE TO MAKE THE HARSHNESS OF DEATH AS LITTLE RUDE AS MIGHT BE." (P.170) STEWARDS DIARY.
Lucy's human life has died, death had restored her beauty. Arthur didnt realize that she was dangerous and was about to kiss her before she died. She hasnt really died she is just transforming into a vampire. Right when she transformed into a vampire she is the most innocent and pure she will ever be like a baby in the womb, and the womb for the baby is the safest spot possible. Thats what the quote is saying.
Van wants to cut off Lucy's head and take out her heart after the funeral. He put a crucifix into Lucys mouth which was later stolen. The lady who stole robs the dead but she might be messing with something more because Lucy isnt really a normal dead person. I think she might have caused alot more trouble than she knew she would because thats what kept Dracula away and the lady might get pay back later in the story.
Van Helsing is scared and walking around the house because he is nevous that Lucy is going to awaken. He has a lot of garlic around the house but he still needs to patrol. Van Helsing is about to read Lucy's diary so they might get some insight on when she changed or how. I dont think they are trying to save Lucy they just want to protect the rest of society. It is to late to save lucy, once you get your helpless.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Monday Nov. 17,2008
Vocab: Subcutaneous- Under the skin
Quote of the Day: "Van Helsing made a subcutaneous injection of morphia, as before, and with good effect." (page 157)
Pages: 157-166
Today we dissused what we read about last week and got caught up with all that has happened. Our reading today was about how Lucy has finnaily turned into a vampire after all this time. Everyone has noticed the change in her but no one has still put it together that she was bit by Dracula and is a full blown vampire now. A theme that has tooken place in the part that we read today would be murder, because now that Lucy is a vampire it shouldn't be long before she gets hungry and wants feed her hunger by killing someone and drinking their blood.
Quote of the Day: "Van Helsing made a subcutaneous injection of morphia, as before, and with good effect." (page 157)
Pages: 157-166
Today we dissused what we read about last week and got caught up with all that has happened. Our reading today was about how Lucy has finnaily turned into a vampire after all this time. Everyone has noticed the change in her but no one has still put it together that she was bit by Dracula and is a full blown vampire now. A theme that has tooken place in the part that we read today would be murder, because now that Lucy is a vampire it shouldn't be long before she gets hungry and wants feed her hunger by killing someone and drinking their blood.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment Review Day 11.14.2008
Hey everyone,
I couldn't make it in today, but luckily I can write to you on the class blog! How cool is that? First and foremost, I hopefully don't need to explain myself when I say please be respectful to whoever is filling in for me today and get some work done to help boost your grade. Let's reflect back on the last chunk of Dracula we've read, then we'll regroup when I return. Here's what you do, for anyone that needs a refresher on comment review days:
1) Read through all the posts that everyone has written. When you get to the bottom of this page, click the "older posts" link to read more.
2) Write at least FOUR THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS on four different blog posts. You do this by clicking the "_ comments" link at the end of a post. Then you write your thoughtful comment in the window that pops up. Here's what I mean by "thoughtful":
- a detailed response to an opinion you read (why you do or do not agree with the blogger)
- an interpretation of a quote that the blogger wrote down
- bringing up an event/theme/character from the book that a blogger forgot to mention and giving your two cents on why it's important
- giving your detailed opinion about an event/theme/character the blogger did mention, telling us why you think it's important (or maybe why you think it's not as important as something else)
- using one of the vocab words in a sentence that shows me you know what the word means (YOU MAY ONLY DO THIS FOR ONE OF YOUR COMMENTS)
3) Add your initials to the bottom of your comment so I know it was you who wrote it (don't use your name though for safety reasons!)
4) After each comment you write, click "Anonymous," then click "Publish Your Comment"
Thanks! I'm reading through the posts now and a lot of you have some great ideas to respond to. However, if you think a post is missing something important (I can think of a few things!), add it in the comments. The more we have on this blog, I guarantee you the better you'll all do on the test you'll eventually have!
-Mr. Polley
P.S. If you want to discuss the part of the book you read for homework, you may do so in the comments section of this post.
"A brave man's blood is the best thing on this earth when a woman is in trouble. You're a man and no mistake. Well, the devil may work against us for all he's worth, but God sends us men when we want them." -Wacky Old Man Van Helsing (p. 157)
Sexist? Discuss amongst yourselves.
I couldn't make it in today, but luckily I can write to you on the class blog! How cool is that? First and foremost, I hopefully don't need to explain myself when I say please be respectful to whoever is filling in for me today and get some work done to help boost your grade. Let's reflect back on the last chunk of Dracula we've read, then we'll regroup when I return. Here's what you do, for anyone that needs a refresher on comment review days:
1) Read through all the posts that everyone has written. When you get to the bottom of this page, click the "older posts" link to read more.
2) Write at least FOUR THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS on four different blog posts. You do this by clicking the "_ comments" link at the end of a post. Then you write your thoughtful comment in the window that pops up. Here's what I mean by "thoughtful":
- a detailed response to an opinion you read (why you do or do not agree with the blogger)
- an interpretation of a quote that the blogger wrote down
- bringing up an event/theme/character from the book that a blogger forgot to mention and giving your two cents on why it's important
- giving your detailed opinion about an event/theme/character the blogger did mention, telling us why you think it's important (or maybe why you think it's not as important as something else)
- using one of the vocab words in a sentence that shows me you know what the word means (YOU MAY ONLY DO THIS FOR ONE OF YOUR COMMENTS)
3) Add your initials to the bottom of your comment so I know it was you who wrote it (don't use your name though for safety reasons!)
4) After each comment you write, click "Anonymous," then click "Publish Your Comment"
Thanks! I'm reading through the posts now and a lot of you have some great ideas to respond to. However, if you think a post is missing something important (I can think of a few things!), add it in the comments. The more we have on this blog, I guarantee you the better you'll all do on the test you'll eventually have!
-Mr. Polley
P.S. If you want to discuss the part of the book you read for homework, you may do so in the comments section of this post.
"A brave man's blood is the best thing on this earth when a woman is in trouble. You're a man and no mistake. Well, the devil may work against us for all he's worth, but God sends us men when we want them." -Wacky Old Man Van Helsing (p. 157)
Sexist? Discuss amongst yourselves.
November 13th, 2008
Pages 140 -
Today's quote: "What does it all mean? I am beginning to wonder if my long habit of life amongst the insane is beginning to tell upon my own brain" (Dr.Seward p.142)
In the book today we read about wolves.. the wolf had glass on his face.. i think its because he jumped threw Lucy's window.. the wolves somewhat resembles death and the zookeeper reminds me about the old man from the hill. Thats weird.. A wolf escaped from the zoo?.. and it might of been the same wolf from the ship. I think Dracula is back.. something abot red eyes? I wasnt really paying attention so yeah.. good luck. uh.. we have homework tonight!!!
Today's quote: "What does it all mean? I am beginning to wonder if my long habit of life amongst the insane is beginning to tell upon my own brain" (Dr.Seward p.142)
In the book today we read about wolves.. the wolf had glass on his face.. i think its because he jumped threw Lucy's window.. the wolves somewhat resembles death and the zookeeper reminds me about the old man from the hill. Thats weird.. A wolf escaped from the zoo?.. and it might of been the same wolf from the ship. I think Dracula is back.. something abot red eyes? I wasnt really paying attention so yeah.. good luck. uh.. we have homework tonight!!!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wednesday, November 12th
pgs. 127 -
~Vocab~
Pallor - paleness
~Quote~
" As the transfusion went on something like life seemed to come back to poor Lucy's cheeks, and through Arthur's growing pallor the joy of his face seemed absolutely to shine." (Seward pg. 130)
Van Helsing, Dr. John Seward, and Lucy's fiance Arthur Holmwood have realized that Lucy has fallen ill and seems extremely weak. All she can do is lay in bed and tolerate the pain she's goinf through. Her symptoms led them to conclude that what she needs to become well again is blood. The two punctur wounds on her neck were also noticed but were disregarded because they didn't know what they were or were from. They decided to do a blood transfusion using the youngest and strongest man, Arthur. He had no problem with this proceedure because he's so in love with her and wants to see her get better. After the blood transfusion she seems to be a lot better and feels better. The big question in everybody's mind is how is she losing so much that she would need so much to be transfered into her...
Van Helsing is very knowledgeable about these evil spirits known as vampires and uses garlic to try and keep Dracula away. It's a big fear that he might come back for Lucy to finish what he had started.
We've read a lot about Lucy and her condition but my question is what has happened to Mina and Johnathan? They're both a big part of this story so I know they haven't died but I do think that Dracula has might've done something with both of them. I also wonder what's going to happen with Lucy since she's been bitten by Dracula. The doctors can't just keep giving her blood transfusions so something has to be eventually done with her. Does she even know what going on with her condition or somewhat of a disease???
~Vocab~
Pallor - paleness
~Quote~
" As the transfusion went on something like life seemed to come back to poor Lucy's cheeks, and through Arthur's growing pallor the joy of his face seemed absolutely to shine." (Seward pg. 130)
Van Helsing, Dr. John Seward, and Lucy's fiance Arthur Holmwood have realized that Lucy has fallen ill and seems extremely weak. All she can do is lay in bed and tolerate the pain she's goinf through. Her symptoms led them to conclude that what she needs to become well again is blood. The two punctur wounds on her neck were also noticed but were disregarded because they didn't know what they were or were from. They decided to do a blood transfusion using the youngest and strongest man, Arthur. He had no problem with this proceedure because he's so in love with her and wants to see her get better. After the blood transfusion she seems to be a lot better and feels better. The big question in everybody's mind is how is she losing so much that she would need so much to be transfered into her...
Van Helsing is very knowledgeable about these evil spirits known as vampires and uses garlic to try and keep Dracula away. It's a big fear that he might come back for Lucy to finish what he had started.
We've read a lot about Lucy and her condition but my question is what has happened to Mina and Johnathan? They're both a big part of this story so I know they haven't died but I do think that Dracula has might've done something with both of them. I also wonder what's going to happen with Lucy since she's been bitten by Dracula. The doctors can't just keep giving her blood transfusions so something has to be eventually done with her. Does she even know what going on with her condition or somewhat of a disease???
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
nov 11
pg.16 Dracula
The enemy of my enemy is my friend
Lucy had a nose bleed an Seward got a example had found nothing wrong with the body,so the mind must be the problem. Seward called in his mentor Dr.Van Helsing for help with Lucy. Lucy getting better and better than worse and worse tell she dies and comes back to life as a vampire. Reinfield is collecting flies this could represent death or the devil. Reinfield is getting sharper and crazyier crazy when the sun goes down and when its at its fullest. Van Helsing running the show right now and it doesnt look good for Lucy.
"you learn from failure not success."
The enemy of my enemy is my friend
Lucy had a nose bleed an Seward got a example had found nothing wrong with the body,so the mind must be the problem. Seward called in his mentor Dr.Van Helsing for help with Lucy. Lucy getting better and better than worse and worse tell she dies and comes back to life as a vampire. Reinfield is collecting flies this could represent death or the devil. Reinfield is getting sharper and crazyier crazy when the sun goes down and when its at its fullest. Van Helsing running the show right now and it doesnt look good for Lucy.
"you learn from failure not success."
Monday, November 10, 2008
11-10-08
pg:105-??
paroxysm: a spasm, a sudden attack or outburst of your rage or laughter.
I never saw a lunstic in such a parixysm of rage before and i hope i shall not again (pg:103)
we watched a clip on dracula and the interview with the actor that play daracula in the movie it was basically about how the actor and the aurthor of the book think different meaning to being a vampire .they both think there are different things to being a vampire.
In the book he is talking to dracula and he now know dracula is in england and how he can control jonathan's brain because he has a brain fever that dracula gave to him.
renfield is trying to find dracula and how jonathan thinks lucy is getting fat because she's eating alot she want to eat more so she can get stronger and plus she cant control it
paroxysm: a spasm, a sudden attack or outburst of your rage or laughter.
I never saw a lunstic in such a parixysm of rage before and i hope i shall not again (pg:103)
we watched a clip on dracula and the interview with the actor that play daracula in the movie it was basically about how the actor and the aurthor of the book think different meaning to being a vampire .they both think there are different things to being a vampire.
In the book he is talking to dracula and he now know dracula is in england and how he can control jonathan's brain because he has a brain fever that dracula gave to him.
renfield is trying to find dracula and how jonathan thinks lucy is getting fat because she's eating alot she want to eat more so she can get stronger and plus she cant control it
Friday, November 7, 2008
11/7/08
Pages 95-105
"His red eyes again! They are just the same." (p.100)
-Signifies that Lucy and Mina know something horrible is happening.
COLOR RED:
-Blood (life source)
-Devil
-Evil
-Unnatural-If white means pure (virgin) then red means evil (lustful.)
Mina woke up in the middle of the night and realized Lucy was no longer in the room, the door was not locked but it was closed. Mina ran out looking for her. On Lucy's favorite seat, Mina found her, it looked as if a dark figure was standing behind her. As she approached she felt no joy. As she got closer saw the dark figure, yelled Lucy and the dark figure turned it's head, and Mina say red eyes. Mina ran to the church and when she came out Lucy was Still asleep and alone. Mina woke Lucy and they walked home, on the way she dabbed her feet in mud so no one should notice her bare feet even though the town seemed dead. Mina promised not to tell anyone about the night, not even Lucy's mother.
-Half-reclining white figure: Like the girl from the grudge.
-Light as sharp as a sword cut: A harsh light, very intense.
Why would Dracula attack Lucy first?
-When Lucy was out of the room Mina came out side, perhaps it was to get to Lucy.
-Perhaps it's because Lucy sleep walks.
-Lucy is attractive.
Lucy looks better than she has in weeks, but Mina believes she pricked Lucy with the pin. She thinks she must have pinched some skin up in it because there were two small pricks. Lucy seemed more rest full than she had in a long time, Mina made sure the door was locked. Mina was woken up by the noise of Lucy struggling to get the door open, but eventually Lucy went back to bed. Looking out of the Window the moon looked brilliant, she saw a large bat fly out of the window then continue flying around outside. Lucy murmured "His red eyes again! They are just the same." (p.100) Lucy looked dazed and Mina realized she was looking over at a dark figure sitting a bit a ways from them. Lucy went to bed early, and Mina took a walk. The moon was very bright, and helped Mina to see Lucy standing the the window. By the time Mina got back Lucy was laying fast asleep. Lucy looks more pale than ever.
-One the fifteenth of August Lucy has been tired. Lucy found out her and Arthur will be married soon.
Lucy has been looking weaker, and more and more pale. Mina has been guarding the door so Lucy has just been walking around the room and staring out the window. Mina woke Lucy and Lucy was very weak.
Letters were exchanged between movers and people asking for the boxes soon. But what could be in the boxes? They might be Dracula's, maybe the boxes of dirt. The dirt for Dracula makes it so things are his property, no one can enter with out Dracula inviting them in.
Lucy has seemed better, she still looks very pale though. When Lucy and Mina were sitting in their favorite seat, Lucy reminded me of that night. Lucy said it seemed like a dream but not at the same time. Dogs were howling and whole town could here, the dark figure was with her then she felt as she was sinking in green water. Mina got a letter than Johnathan has been ill, and she is to go to Transylvania to nurse him well. She packs her things right away, maybe it would be good for Johnathan and Mina to marry there.
Johnathan got a brain fever, I think that Dracula used his mind power to make Johnathan believe he was very ill. Johnathan wanted Mina there to nurse him well, and that was probably exactly Dracula's plan, there was no easier way to get Mina to come to Transylvania, with no suspicions.
"His red eyes again! They are just the same." (p.100)
-Signifies that Lucy and Mina know something horrible is happening.
COLOR RED:
-Blood (life source)
-Devil
-Evil
-Unnatural-If white means pure (virgin) then red means evil (lustful.)
Mina woke up in the middle of the night and realized Lucy was no longer in the room, the door was not locked but it was closed. Mina ran out looking for her. On Lucy's favorite seat, Mina found her, it looked as if a dark figure was standing behind her. As she approached she felt no joy. As she got closer saw the dark figure, yelled Lucy and the dark figure turned it's head, and Mina say red eyes. Mina ran to the church and when she came out Lucy was Still asleep and alone. Mina woke Lucy and they walked home, on the way she dabbed her feet in mud so no one should notice her bare feet even though the town seemed dead. Mina promised not to tell anyone about the night, not even Lucy's mother.
-Half-reclining white figure: Like the girl from the grudge.
-Light as sharp as a sword cut: A harsh light, very intense.
Why would Dracula attack Lucy first?
-When Lucy was out of the room Mina came out side, perhaps it was to get to Lucy.
-Perhaps it's because Lucy sleep walks.
-Lucy is attractive.
Lucy looks better than she has in weeks, but Mina believes she pricked Lucy with the pin. She thinks she must have pinched some skin up in it because there were two small pricks. Lucy seemed more rest full than she had in a long time, Mina made sure the door was locked. Mina was woken up by the noise of Lucy struggling to get the door open, but eventually Lucy went back to bed. Looking out of the Window the moon looked brilliant, she saw a large bat fly out of the window then continue flying around outside. Lucy murmured "His red eyes again! They are just the same." (p.100) Lucy looked dazed and Mina realized she was looking over at a dark figure sitting a bit a ways from them. Lucy went to bed early, and Mina took a walk. The moon was very bright, and helped Mina to see Lucy standing the the window. By the time Mina got back Lucy was laying fast asleep. Lucy looks more pale than ever.
-One the fifteenth of August Lucy has been tired. Lucy found out her and Arthur will be married soon.
Lucy has been looking weaker, and more and more pale. Mina has been guarding the door so Lucy has just been walking around the room and staring out the window. Mina woke Lucy and Lucy was very weak.
Letters were exchanged between movers and people asking for the boxes soon. But what could be in the boxes? They might be Dracula's, maybe the boxes of dirt. The dirt for Dracula makes it so things are his property, no one can enter with out Dracula inviting them in.
Lucy has seemed better, she still looks very pale though. When Lucy and Mina were sitting in their favorite seat, Lucy reminded me of that night. Lucy said it seemed like a dream but not at the same time. Dogs were howling and whole town could here, the dark figure was with her then she felt as she was sinking in green water. Mina got a letter than Johnathan has been ill, and she is to go to Transylvania to nurse him well. She packs her things right away, maybe it would be good for Johnathan and Mina to marry there.
Johnathan got a brain fever, I think that Dracula used his mind power to make Johnathan believe he was very ill. Johnathan wanted Mina there to nurse him well, and that was probably exactly Dracula's plan, there was no easier way to get Mina to come to Transylvania, with no suspicions.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
11/6/08
pp.87-95
Vocab: Yawing = failing to hold a straight course, turning from side to side.
"The wind was steady, and as we ran before it there was no yawing." (p.89)
Mina reads the Captain's log of the Demeter, the ship that washed ashore with only a dog and a dead man on it. In it the Captain explains that they started out with more men and one by one they started disappearing. Some men thought they saw a dark figure on the ship but no one could find it. Eventually only the Captain is left and he ties himself to the steering wheel with a crucifix. When the ship finally washes ashore a big black dog jumps off of it and runs away. The animals in town begin to act strangely (the animals are always the first to know!!!).
Taking lives: Dracula and Renfield both take peoples' lives physically but others metaphorically take lives. Lucy took away a part of Seward and Quincey's lives when she rejects them, Jonathan is taken away from Mina, Mina's life is taken away without Jonathan, etc.
I think that Dracula was on the ship and he was the one who took the lives of the men on the ship. He then took the shape of a dog and escaped. I also think that Lucy isn't really sleepwalking but is being hypnotised by Dracula and unconsciously drawn towards him so he can suck her blood.
Vocab: Yawing = failing to hold a straight course, turning from side to side.
"The wind was steady, and as we ran before it there was no yawing." (p.89)
Mina reads the Captain's log of the Demeter, the ship that washed ashore with only a dog and a dead man on it. In it the Captain explains that they started out with more men and one by one they started disappearing. Some men thought they saw a dark figure on the ship but no one could find it. Eventually only the Captain is left and he ties himself to the steering wheel with a crucifix. When the ship finally washes ashore a big black dog jumps off of it and runs away. The animals in town begin to act strangely (the animals are always the first to know!!!).
Taking lives: Dracula and Renfield both take peoples' lives physically but others metaphorically take lives. Lucy took away a part of Seward and Quincey's lives when she rejects them, Jonathan is taken away from Mina, Mina's life is taken away without Jonathan, etc.
I think that Dracula was on the ship and he was the one who took the lives of the men on the ship. He then took the shape of a dog and escaped. I also think that Lucy isn't really sleepwalking but is being hypnotised by Dracula and unconsciously drawn towards him so he can suck her blood.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
11/5/08
Pages bottom of 75-
The pages that we are starting to read today is at the bottom of page 75 in Dracula.
Lucy is getting married to Arthur Holmwood in Autumn and she is already planning out her dresses and how her house will be arranged.
"For life be, after all. only a waitin' for somethin' else then what we're doin', and death be all that we can rightly depend on" (page 78) - Quote by The Funny Old Man (Mr. Swalis)
The theme that comes in play with the book Dracula is somewhat like feeling lonely and
Unhappy. Suspense and Tension is probably the only themes that I could actually hear about in this Book called Dracula for right now.
I think that this book is complicated and confusing because I somewhatunderstand the reading but then again I'm not so certain about the reading either, but I really do enjoy reading this book because this book gets me thinking about whats going to happen next, I think that if people were to just come out and say that thier vampires it would be cool because now we could know who not to spend much time with anymore especially when the moon sets in the position that it sets in movies, but then again I wouldn't want people telling me that their vampires because thats scary, I mean any person with a right mind would be close to any vampire.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
November 4, 2008
Dracula: Pages 66-75
Vocab
Expostulate: to make a friendly protest, to reason or argue with a person
"He has at present such a quality that I have had myself to expostulate." (Seward pg. 72)
Chapter 6 - Mina Murray's Journal
Mina met an elder gentleman, who says he's about 100 years old. They are speaking to each other in a graveyard. We're not sure exactly why he's there. Our guesses are that he's visiting his friends grave or he might be the grave keeper. He talks with a weird accent. What I'm wondering is why is Mina in the graveyard in the first place? The core of what the old man is saying is that all the tombstones are lying. Nobody can be 100% perfect, and that only the good things are written on tombstones. He also stated that all the people buried in the graves are going to be judged on the Day of Judgement. This whole conversation taking place in the graveyard is reminding everyone of Hamlet. Being in the graveyard and the fact that someone has commited suicide to piss of his mother. Even though nobody knows the truth because suicide is still a sin during this time. What's the connection between the graveyard scene and Dracula? Mina also hasn't heard from Jonathan in over a month and that's freaking her out. It's the first of August when all this happens. When Mina gets home there is still no news from Jonathan.
Dr. Sewards Diary
Dr. Seward goes to visit Renfield, and notices that he's raising flies. A few days pass and Dr. Seward tells him that he needs to get rid of all the flies in the room. As the days go on the flies bring in spiders, and the spiders brought in sparrows, and then he asked for a kitten. (Oh yeah... On one of these days he ate a fly in front of Dr. Seward.) Later in July Sewards goes to visit Renfield early one morning and noticed all the sparrows were gone, and that there were feathers on the ground and a drop of blood on his pillow. Seward is starting to realize that Renfield is only eating the lives of animals.
Food Chain in Renfield's Room
Fly->Spider->Sparrow->(He wanted a cat to eat the sparrow)->Renfield
Renfield has been labeled as a zoophagus, meaning the absorption of lives. This name was given to him by Dr. Seward.
Vocab
Expostulate: to make a friendly protest, to reason or argue with a person
"He has at present such a quality that I have had myself to expostulate." (Seward pg. 72)
Chapter 6 - Mina Murray's Journal
Mina met an elder gentleman, who says he's about 100 years old. They are speaking to each other in a graveyard. We're not sure exactly why he's there. Our guesses are that he's visiting his friends grave or he might be the grave keeper. He talks with a weird accent. What I'm wondering is why is Mina in the graveyard in the first place? The core of what the old man is saying is that all the tombstones are lying. Nobody can be 100% perfect, and that only the good things are written on tombstones. He also stated that all the people buried in the graves are going to be judged on the Day of Judgement. This whole conversation taking place in the graveyard is reminding everyone of Hamlet. Being in the graveyard and the fact that someone has commited suicide to piss of his mother. Even though nobody knows the truth because suicide is still a sin during this time. What's the connection between the graveyard scene and Dracula? Mina also hasn't heard from Jonathan in over a month and that's freaking her out. It's the first of August when all this happens. When Mina gets home there is still no news from Jonathan.
Dr. Sewards Diary
Dr. Seward goes to visit Renfield, and notices that he's raising flies. A few days pass and Dr. Seward tells him that he needs to get rid of all the flies in the room. As the days go on the flies bring in spiders, and the spiders brought in sparrows, and then he asked for a kitten. (Oh yeah... On one of these days he ate a fly in front of Dr. Seward.) Later in July Sewards goes to visit Renfield early one morning and noticed all the sparrows were gone, and that there were feathers on the ground and a drop of blood on his pillow. Seward is starting to realize that Renfield is only eating the lives of animals.
Food Chain in Renfield's Room
Fly->Spider->Sparrow->(He wanted a cat to eat the sparrow)->Renfield
Renfield has been labeled as a zoophagus, meaning the absorption of lives. This name was given to him by Dr. Seward.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Comment Review Day 11.03.08
For today's Comment Review Day, please write four comments on four DIFFERENT posts on this page (there are six new posts on Dracula you can choose from). Here are the options for the kinds of comments I'm looking for (you are required to do at least one of each):
1) A thoughtful, open-ended question based on what the post talks about for others to answer.
2) Insightful, detailed response to a question posed by a classmate either in a comment or in the blog post itself.
3) Your interpretation of one of the featured quotes OR a sentence that uses the featured vocab word CORRECTLY, and in a way that implies you know what the word means. (ex. "Let's visit the clairvoyant to see if he can predict our future," NOT "I am a clairvoyant.")
CLICK "ANONYMOUS" and ADD YOUR INITIALS TO THE ENDS OF YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE!
***please do not comment on this post***
1) A thoughtful, open-ended question based on what the post talks about for others to answer.
2) Insightful, detailed response to a question posed by a classmate either in a comment or in the blog post itself.
3) Your interpretation of one of the featured quotes OR a sentence that uses the featured vocab word CORRECTLY, and in a way that implies you know what the word means. (ex. "Let's visit the clairvoyant to see if he can predict our future," NOT "I am a clairvoyant.")
CLICK "ANONYMOUS" and ADD YOUR INITIALS TO THE ENDS OF YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE!
***please do not comment on this post***
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
October 29,2008
Pages 48 to page ??
Quote for the day:
"A terribe desire came upon me to rid the world of such a monster" (page 54 Johnatan). Meaning that Johnathan wants to kill Dracula because he thinks the world would be better without him.
Johnatan tries to escape from the castle. He escapes from the window to find Dracula's room there he finds stone passage way which leads to a Dracula's coffin where he sleeps at. Johnatan hits Dracula in the face with a shovel while he's sleeping. But nothing happens to Dracula because in order for him to die you have to stave him in the heart. Dracula told him that the next day he's free to go but Johnatan wants to leave that same night. Dracula agrees and Johnatan was about to leave the castle when the wolves appears and hes frighten that he might get eaten by them that he decides to stay there until morning.
New characters: Mina (Johnatan fiance) and Lucy.
Quote for the day:
"A terribe desire came upon me to rid the world of such a monster" (page 54 Johnatan). Meaning that Johnathan wants to kill Dracula because he thinks the world would be better without him.
Johnatan tries to escape from the castle. He escapes from the window to find Dracula's room there he finds stone passage way which leads to a Dracula's coffin where he sleeps at. Johnatan hits Dracula in the face with a shovel while he's sleeping. But nothing happens to Dracula because in order for him to die you have to stave him in the heart. Dracula told him that the next day he's free to go but Johnatan wants to leave that same night. Dracula agrees and Johnatan was about to leave the castle when the wolves appears and hes frighten that he might get eaten by them that he decides to stay there until morning.
New characters: Mina (Johnatan fiance) and Lucy.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
10-28-08
today in the book Jonathan almost got bitten by some crazy chick vampires that live with the Count. He wrote more letters to Mina and Hawkins which Dracula stole, opened, and read right in front of him. Jonathan wakes up in his room with all his clothes folded in a manner different from his so he think the Count moved him there. All his stationary stuff is gone, which makes Jonathan think that the Count acctually knows whats going on. One of the themes that are connected with this reading is good vs. evil due to the fact that Jonathan is prisoner and he is trying to outsmart Dracula by writing letters to people in code, and Dracula always seems one step ahead of Jonathan and takes even more of his freedoms away. I think that the mind games that Dracula are playing on Jonathan will eventually make him go crazy, or cloud his mind so he won't be able think clearly and make a plan to get out.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Monday October 27,2008
Pages: 34-38
" And yet, unless my senses deceieve me, the old centuries had, and have, powers of their own which more 'modernity' cannot kill."-John Harker (page 37)
Today we read about how Dracula is talking Basically good v.s evil and modern v.s antique. The qoute is saying that good isn't always what people think it is. Dracula has been around for a very long time. You could basically say he is ageless, he's like centuries old. He has been around and seen alot of things good and bad. The connection of the quote and the theme today would be the fact that he is just talking about how mondernity cant be killed or cant die. This meaning it will continue forever. There's nothing that can be done to change this.
What we read today to be brings the story together a little more. I can understand whats going on and how times use to be when vampires did exist.
" And yet, unless my senses deceieve me, the old centuries had, and have, powers of their own which more 'modernity' cannot kill."-John Harker (page 37)
Today we read about how Dracula is talking Basically good v.s evil and modern v.s antique. The qoute is saying that good isn't always what people think it is. Dracula has been around for a very long time. You could basically say he is ageless, he's like centuries old. He has been around and seen alot of things good and bad. The connection of the quote and the theme today would be the fact that he is just talking about how mondernity cant be killed or cant die. This meaning it will continue forever. There's nothing that can be done to change this.
What we read today to be brings the story together a little more. I can understand whats going on and how times use to be when vampires did exist.
Friday, October 24, 2008
October 24
PaGe 26 - 34
Dracula is going to realize that he is about to be stuck in the castle. He can not get out because of the danger of the wolves. We talked about why Dracula would want a house that is so old and with chambers. He needs a prison-like house. Johnathon cut himself while shaving and gets uncomfortable by Draculas reaction to his cut. He was about to bite him but the cross necklace around Johnathons neck stopped him. He finally realizes that he is a prisoner in Draculas castle and he starts to get worried. Stories that Dracula shares shows that Draculas has been living for a very long time. Dracula has told johnathon than he must stay for a month. Dracula also allows Johnathon to write letters but he has to be careful because he would read them.
Christianity comes up. In chapter one the citizen were blessing him when they found out where he was going. He wears a crucifix that 'comforts him and strenghtens him whenever he touches it.'
Johnathon needs to wear the cross at all tmes. I think thats the only thing that can protect him from Dracla killing him. Well actually i dont really know that much about vampires so maybe that wont save him. He should start planning his escape though before its too late.
ACUMEN= sharpness of mind; quickness and accuracy of judgement (p.32) "For a man who was never in the country, and who did not evidently do much in the way of buisnness, his knowledge and acumen were wonderful"
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Today we read pages 9-19
This book is about sex.. um.. that didnt happen yet but i guess thats what vampires like. Well.. Jon is traveling to the castle in a carriage and theres a weird blue light flame thing, its really dark outside and Jon is scared by howling wolves and the sound of the horses.. and it starts snowing.. umm.. Jon arrives at Count Dracula's castle. Jon describes how Count looks like.. Pale skin.. Sparp teeth.. yup.. and theres something about a note or papers.. and Count had dinner with him and gave him a room so he can sleep and stay over the night. I think Jon is scared and nervous..
The quote.. "Ah, Sir you dwellers in the city cannot enter in to the feelings or the hunter"- Dracula page 19. In class we talk about.. Symbols for evil... Wolves and Dracula..and Suspense.
This book is about sex.. um.. that didnt happen yet but i guess thats what vampires like. Well.. Jon is traveling to the castle in a carriage and theres a weird blue light flame thing, its really dark outside and Jon is scared by howling wolves and the sound of the horses.. and it starts snowing.. umm.. Jon arrives at Count Dracula's castle. Jon describes how Count looks like.. Pale skin.. Sparp teeth.. yup.. and theres something about a note or papers.. and Count had dinner with him and gave him a room so he can sleep and stay over the night. I think Jon is scared and nervous..
The quote.. "Ah, Sir you dwellers in the city cannot enter in to the feelings or the hunter"- Dracula page 19. In class we talk about.. Symbols for evil... Wolves and Dracula..and Suspense.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
today we met the characters of the book the main 10 at least. the book is epistolotory which means that the book is written in the form of either journal or diary entries even letters. so each entry comes from a different character the first one we read today was jonathon. so far he has learned about the region to which he will be travelling it is very superstitious and he is interested to learn about why. an old woman began the spooking when she told him about the eve of st george where at the midnight hour all the most evil things come out and she gave him a crucifix and said it's for your poor mother or something so that must be very re-assuring.before he leaves for the carraige ride evryone at the station gives him an omenous blessing adding to his confusion.on the carraige ride to the castle and everyone else is talking in their languages about satan and wolves and evil things. the land is beautiful and amazing with grassy hills sweeping pines and groves of fruit trees but jonathon feels uneasy and he doesnt know why...
Monday, October 20, 2008
Comment Review Day 10.20.08
Here's how you get candy, prove your knowledge, get points for your blogging grade, and practice your memory of Oedipus for tomorrow's test. Write four comments on four different posts (NOT THIS ONE!):
1) Using one of the vocab words that the blogger gives us in a sentence OR offering what you think the meaning of one of the important quotes is.
2) Agreeing or disagreeing with the blogger's opinion AND WHY.
3) Giving your take on one of the story's themes as they relate to one of the posts: FREE WILL, EGO, or SIGHT
4) Filling in any gaps about the story's events or characters, CONNECTING your contribution to something in the blogger's post.
THE FIRST TEN COMMENTERS EARN CANDY!
1) Using one of the vocab words that the blogger gives us in a sentence OR offering what you think the meaning of one of the important quotes is.
2) Agreeing or disagreeing with the blogger's opinion AND WHY.
3) Giving your take on one of the story's themes as they relate to one of the posts: FREE WILL, EGO, or SIGHT
4) Filling in any gaps about the story's events or characters, CONNECTING your contribution to something in the blogger's post.
THE FIRST TEN COMMENTERS EARN CANDY!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wednesday, October 15th
Today in class, we talked about the themes in the story Oedipus. The two major themes of the story are ego and free will. Oedipus's ego is somewhat of a disease to him, his ego makes him feel untouchable and that his actions won't have a consequence. Oedipus does have free will and at the same time he doesn't. He doesn't have free will because his fate is chosen for him but he also has free will because he has the decision to make the right choices. His immense ego leads him to lose his free will and commit sinful actions.
~Vocabulary~
Dirge (pg.314) - funeral song
Arcturus (pg.309) - bright star signifying the beginning of autumn from Greek lore
Blasphemer (pg.321) - person who shows disrespect for sacred things
Ordained (pg.319) - decreed or commanded
Inviolate (pg.300) - pure
~Quotes~
(pg.327) " No more here your power ends. None of your power follows you through life." - Creon
(pg.320) " Now loathed by the gods...what grief can crown my grief? Mine alone - I am
Oedipus." - Oedipus
I felt we had a good discussion today to help us with the upcoming test on Tuesday. It was a good review on the characters and the themes but I think a couple people including me will have a hard time with the vocabulary and the quotes from the story. Oedipus has a good moral to the story that fate basically can't be escape and what's meant to happen will happen.
~Vocabulary~
Dirge (pg.314) - funeral song
Arcturus (pg.309) - bright star signifying the beginning of autumn from Greek lore
Blasphemer (pg.321) - person who shows disrespect for sacred things
Ordained (pg.319) - decreed or commanded
Inviolate (pg.300) - pure
~Quotes~
(pg.327) " No more here your power ends. None of your power follows you through life." - Creon
(pg.320) " Now loathed by the gods...what grief can crown my grief? Mine alone - I am
Oedipus." - Oedipus
I felt we had a good discussion today to help us with the upcoming test on Tuesday. It was a good review on the characters and the themes but I think a couple people including me will have a hard time with the vocabulary and the quotes from the story. Oedipus has a good moral to the story that fate basically can't be escape and what's meant to happen will happen.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
oct 14
320.
A. Why Oedipus blinds himself when he finds out that his wife and the man that he killed are his parents. what does he do after he finds out, what happens to his kids or his sisters. why does Oedipus bless creon when he could have stop what happened. Creon could not kill him because that was family.
B. Oedipus is asking the worng things. Pleasing the gods so that you can go through life. Fate is the main them of the play. Fate is something that you can't escape. the main them is that you can do anything you want but in the end you already have your story played out.
C. This is a sad story. Its messed up the way they take the kids away from him. Creon is still power triping and he should have worned them of this in the start. The story was out of wack. Creon should have killed oedipus in the start. This dude lost that ego problem that he had. They made a veggie movie about it and its wack as hell.
A. Why Oedipus blinds himself when he finds out that his wife and the man that he killed are his parents. what does he do after he finds out, what happens to his kids or his sisters. why does Oedipus bless creon when he could have stop what happened. Creon could not kill him because that was family.
B. Oedipus is asking the worng things. Pleasing the gods so that you can go through life. Fate is the main them of the play. Fate is something that you can't escape. the main them is that you can do anything you want but in the end you already have your story played out.
C. This is a sad story. Its messed up the way they take the kids away from him. Creon is still power triping and he should have worned them of this in the start. The story was out of wack. Creon should have killed oedipus in the start. This dude lost that ego problem that he had. They made a veggie movie about it and its wack as hell.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Oct. 13, 2008
The messenger announces to the city the current predicament of their kingdom. He describes the death of their queen and to what provocation presented itself to her to drive the insnity within her to surface and cause her to die at the mercy of her own hands. Oedipus then comes forward, blinded by his own hands and delivers a well-rehearsed monologue to his people, in effect, essentially confirming everything the messenger has just said.
Oedipus blinds himself not so he can feel the pain, but because he cannot stand to see the horrors around him. Because he can no longer look at his children of his wife and mother. Because his eyes are stain by his wife's and mother's dead body dangling from a rope. The world is ugly through his eyes.
I thought this was a sorrowful section of the book and every character had every reason to react as they did. I don't know how I wouold deal with any of it if I had been in the queen or Oedipus' position. I too would have killed or blinded myself. I also think this was a very well written section of the play, very captivating.
Oedipus blinds himself not so he can feel the pain, but because he cannot stand to see the horrors around him. Because he can no longer look at his children of his wife and mother. Because his eyes are stain by his wife's and mother's dead body dangling from a rope. The world is ugly through his eyes.
I thought this was a sorrowful section of the book and every character had every reason to react as they did. I don't know how I wouold deal with any of it if I had been in the queen or Oedipus' position. I too would have killed or blinded myself. I also think this was a very well written section of the play, very captivating.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Thursday oct,9 2007
pg.296-310
VOCAB:
Gall: rude boldness/nerve
Marauding: roaming in search of plunder.
Clairvoyant: person who can see the future.
Sanctimonious: making a show of being holy or rious.
Mantic: prophetic.
Oedipus is starting to figure out that his wife is his mother
and how he is adopted when he thought that his adopted family was his real family but he came to find out there not he also found out that is father is dead. because of a sickness i believe of old age he also found out why his foot is so big because his foot got pined together as a baby and that he's finally figuring out what his life really was like when he was a baby and its not as what he thought it was
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
10/8/08
pp. 285-296
Oedipus continues to accuse Creon of conspiracy, killing the king, and planning to kill Oedipus. Creon denys it and tells Oedipus to go talk to the oracle himself. Oedipus calls Creon his mortal enemy and threatens to kill him. Jocasta enters and with the help of the Chorus break the two up and Creon leaves. Jocasta tells Oedipus to ignore the prophet because she thinks that the prediction about her baby killing her husband and marrying her didn't happen. Jocasta talks about how Laius and where he was killed. Oedipus starts to realize that he was the one who killed Laius. He wants to talk to the one survivor who was with Laius when he was killed.
Oedipus continues to accuse Creon of conspiracy, killing the king, and planning to kill Oedipus. Creon denys it and tells Oedipus to go talk to the oracle himself. Oedipus calls Creon his mortal enemy and threatens to kill him. Jocasta enters and with the help of the Chorus break the two up and Creon leaves. Jocasta tells Oedipus to ignore the prophet because she thinks that the prediction about her baby killing her husband and marrying her didn't happen. Jocasta talks about how Laius and where he was killed. Oedipus starts to realize that he was the one who killed Laius. He wants to talk to the one survivor who was with Laius when he was killed.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Page Numbers: 274 - 283
-write about the events in what we read today
-write about any themes that come up and how they connect
-your opinion on what we read today
Nobody can actually point out the murderer. The chorus believes it was a group of people not just one. Oedipus hasn't even brought up the fact, or even thought about it, that he killed a man with gaurds on his way to Thebes. Also, no one in the chorus has mentioned that Oedipus showed up one day, and then the next day or so the king was found dead. Oedipus and Tiresias begin arguing and Tiresias come out and says the Oedipus is the murderer. Tiresias then tells Oedipus that his downfall will be his own, and that his family lives in disgrace. Oedipus tries to tell them that he can't be the murderer because he got rid of the Spynx. There seems to be alot of deception going on in Thebes. Maybe Tiresias knows more than what he's actually saying. Perhaps he saw the murder of the king. I think Tiresias may know who Oedipus' father is. He keeps hinting at Oedipus about who he really is. He tells him that the real murderer has killed his own father, that he was born in Thebes, and that he is now rich with power. Why doesn't Oedipus put the pieces together? Can't he see or even think that he might be the true killer? Oedipus doesn't want to believe anything that Tiresias says. He still believes that his parents are the king and queen of Polybus. Oedipus is an idiot!!!
-write about the events in what we read today
-write about any themes that come up and how they connect
-your opinion on what we read today
Nobody can actually point out the murderer. The chorus believes it was a group of people not just one. Oedipus hasn't even brought up the fact, or even thought about it, that he killed a man with gaurds on his way to Thebes. Also, no one in the chorus has mentioned that Oedipus showed up one day, and then the next day or so the king was found dead. Oedipus and Tiresias begin arguing and Tiresias come out and says the Oedipus is the murderer. Tiresias then tells Oedipus that his downfall will be his own, and that his family lives in disgrace. Oedipus tries to tell them that he can't be the murderer because he got rid of the Spynx. There seems to be alot of deception going on in Thebes. Maybe Tiresias knows more than what he's actually saying. Perhaps he saw the murder of the king. I think Tiresias may know who Oedipus' father is. He keeps hinting at Oedipus about who he really is. He tells him that the real murderer has killed his own father, that he was born in Thebes, and that he is now rich with power. Why doesn't Oedipus put the pieces together? Can't he see or even think that he might be the true killer? Oedipus doesn't want to believe anything that Tiresias says. He still believes that his parents are the king and queen of Polybus. Oedipus is an idiot!!!
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