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' "
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