Reading Response #2

Bram Stoker's Dracula-Point of View

In the novel of Dracula there is a major shift stylistically that alters the novel drastically. Upon Jonathan’s attempt to escape from his impending doom and the failure on his part, the reader is left at a cliffhanger; fearing for his life. The preceding pages are written in the familiar style of a journal or a diary. In my opinion this style is preferable to read as it is easy to follow and keep tabs on what is happening in the story.

“At least God’s mercy is better than that of these monsters, and the precipice is steep and high. At its foot a man may sleep as a man. Goodbye, all! Mina!” (35)For me this quote is quite profound. In this quote I see a man that accepts his fate whatever it may be, something that at least in my opinion is extremely difficult. This is the very last entry from Harker for over 100 pages. At this point where my concern for Jonathan is so prevalent, all I want to see is him write again; to say that his is okay, to say he survived, or at the very least to know the outcome, even if for the worst. This is not what I am given.

Instead the style drastically shifts to multiple characters back in Whitby, where Harker is from, none of whom have any idea what events have just unfolded. At this point I find myself very frustrated and confused. At first I am not even sure it is the same novel, it seems to not pertain at all, but after a page or so it turns into frustration because I do not know of Harker’s where abouts, whether it be in this world or the next.

Although this style is frustrating at first, it soon becomes the norm and intriguing to read. The ability to see all of the different character's points of view does have its perks. This style of writing allows me to understand more thoroughly what is truly going on it this book. "I want to keep up with Jonathan's studies, and I have been practising shorthand very assiduously. When we are married I shall be able to be useful to Jonathan, and if I can stenograph well enough I can take down what he wants to say in this way and write it out for him on the typewriter at which I am practising very hard." (72) In this quote I am able for the first time to see a different point of view on a matter, Mina's who is set to be Jonathan's wife. "I must say you tax me very unfairly with being a bad correspondent." This quote by Lucy illustrates how the novel changes from single view point to the perspective of many characters in the section proceeding Harker's cliffhanger. This may seem insignificant and useless at the current point in the novel, but later on it becomes crucial in establishing the plot.