Evaluate the effects that Dracula has on the various characters he encounters in the story. How does he bring out their best and most noble instincts? How does he bring out their worst or least attractive qualities?
Dracula brings out some of the character’s most noble instincts by treating them with kindness and respect. In the case of Jonathan Harker’s stay at Castle Dracula, Dracula treated him with kindness by letting him go where ever the doors are unlocked (Page 28). Dracula also showed respect by letting Harker write a few letters home (Page 41). Dracula brings out the worst qualities by taking over their mind and keeping people against their will. By taking over Renfield’s mind, Dracula makes Renfiled look like a madman and do acts that he normally wouldn’t commit. For example Renfield wouldn’t have just escape and talk to a door of a house next door (Pages 125-126, 132). Dracula also kept people against their will. In the case of Jonathan Harker every door was locked even the entrance door. When the Count did give Harker the chance to leave wolves were waiting for Harker. This brought out the most desperate and worst qualities of Jonathan. He tried to kill the Count (Page64), which is the one of the worst qualities in a human being.
In basically all of the main characters (Morris, Van Helsing, Seward, Harker), Dracula brings out both their noble instincts and least attractive qualities. When Dracula victimizes first Lucy and then Mina, the men spring into action in order to protect the women that each of them love in their own way. However, to accomplish this, the men had to commit murder, that is if in fact you can actually kill a "dead" person.
I believe that Dracula always brought out the best of Van Helsing. It seemed as if Van Helsing had to deal with Vampires numerous times before the Dracula incident. Such as when he wraps the wild garlic flowers around Lucy's neck and on the next morning she be perfectly okay. Also Van Helsing was aware that Vampires were weakened and powerless to all things that are Holy such as the wafers and the cross. However, Jonathan Harker has different reactions to the Count throughout the story. At first when he was with him in his castle he seemed fearful and was unaware of the Count's ambitions. But more towards the end of the novel, he portrays hatred towards the Count and he wishes to slay him no matter the cost.
I saw that dracula brought out Van Helsings intelligence throughout the whole book. He brought out Harkers strength to protect his wife. In Dr. Seward he brought out the power of his mind and he was able to believe in what is unbelieveable. In the American, Morris, he brought out his need to protect his friends in any way he can. Some bad qualities that he brought out of these people were that some where careless in there actions when trying to stop Dracula and in Van Helsing he would be really stressed and actually yell at Mina.
Throughout the novel, Dracula has a great effect on many of the characters. Concerning Jonathan Harker, Dracula shows much respect and diligence towards him with the comforting welcome to his castle. Harker is momentarily pleased by this, but later is acting abnormal by doing bad and even close to life-taking events. With Mina, Dracula shows the extreme of human life in the way he uses her. Mina becomes a sleepwalking intruder and then later a monstrous vampire. It shows the horrible qualities of a changed person that takes life away even from children.
Dracula brings out some of the character’s most noble instincts by treating them with kindness and respect. In the case of Jonathan Harker’s stay at Castle Dracula, Dracula treated him with kindness by letting him go where ever the doors are unlocked (Page 28). Dracula also showed respect by letting Harker write a few letters home (Page 41). Dracula brings out the worst qualities by taking over their mind and keeping people against their will. By taking over Renfield’s mind, Dracula makes Renfiled look like a madman and do acts that he normally wouldn’t commit. For example Renfield wouldn’t have just escape and talk to a door of a house next door (Pages 125-126, 132). Dracula also kept people against their will. In the case of Jonathan Harker every door was locked even the entrance door. When the Count did give Harker the chance to leave wolves were waiting for Harker. This brought out the most desperate and worst qualities of Jonathan. He tried to kill the Count (Page64), which is the one of the worst qualities in a human being.
ReplyDeleteIn basically all of the main characters (Morris, Van Helsing, Seward, Harker), Dracula brings out both their noble instincts and least attractive qualities. When Dracula victimizes first Lucy and then Mina, the men spring into action in order to protect the women that each of them love in their own way. However, to accomplish this, the men had to commit murder, that is if in fact you can actually kill a "dead" person.
ReplyDeleteList some of these "noble instincts" and "least attractive qualities" using specific quotes/page numbers.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Dracula always brought out the best of Van Helsing. It seemed as if Van Helsing had to deal with Vampires numerous times before the Dracula incident. Such as when he wraps the wild garlic flowers around Lucy's neck and on the next morning she be perfectly okay. Also Van Helsing was aware that Vampires were weakened and powerless to all things that are Holy such as the wafers and the cross. However, Jonathan Harker has different reactions to the Count throughout the story. At first when he was with him in his castle he seemed fearful and was unaware of the Count's ambitions. But more towards the end of the novel, he portrays hatred towards the Count and he wishes to slay him no matter the cost.
ReplyDeleteSo what qualities does Dracula bring out in Harker? Dracula brings out Helsing intelligence and abilitiy to handle pressure, right. Keep going...
ReplyDeleteI saw that dracula brought out Van Helsings intelligence throughout the whole book. He brought out Harkers strength to protect his wife. In Dr. Seward he brought out the power of his mind and he was able to believe in what is unbelieveable. In the American, Morris, he brought out his need to protect his friends in any way he can. Some bad qualities that he brought out of these people were that some where careless in there actions when trying to stop Dracula and in Van Helsing he would be really stressed and actually yell at Mina.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel, Dracula has a great effect on many of the characters. Concerning Jonathan Harker, Dracula shows much respect and diligence towards him with the comforting welcome to his castle. Harker is momentarily pleased by this, but later is acting abnormal by doing bad and even close to life-taking events. With Mina, Dracula shows the extreme of human life in the way he uses her. Mina becomes a sleepwalking intruder and then later a monstrous vampire. It shows the horrible qualities of a changed person that takes life away even from children.
ReplyDelete