Appropriations of characters: Renfield

by tmarch on June 2nd, 2008|Filed under: Reading Reflections

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Appropriations of characters: Van Helsing

by tmarch on June 2nd, 2008|Filed under: Reading Reflections

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Appropriations of characters: Jonathan

by tmarch on June 2nd, 2008|Filed under: Reading Reflections

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Appropriations of characters: Mina

by tmarch on June 2nd, 2008|Filed under: Reading Reflections

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Appropriations of characters: Dracula

by tmarch on June 2nd, 2008|Filed under: Reading Reflections

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Research Topic 1: vampires in traditional stories

by tmarch on March 4th, 2008|Filed under: Reading Reflections

Explore vampire mythology from one or more cultures (European or otherwise).

(Hint: also search ‘vampyre’.)

What values do vampires represent and threaten in that culture or tradition you have explored?  In what way?
What kinds of social purposes may have been served through the repetition and augmentation of these stories?

5 Comments

Research Topic 2: vampires in literature and the arts

by tmarch on March 4th, 2008|Filed under: Reading Reflections

Explore one or more novel, play, poem, art work or song about vampires that predates the publication of Dracula.

In which aspects of Dracula does it appear that Stoker has been creative, and which aspects has he borrowed directly or drawn upon more generally in the creation of The Count?

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Research Topic 3: Bram Stoker’s biography

by tmarch on March 4th, 2008|Filed under: Reading Reflections

Explore information regarding Bram Stoker’s personal and professional life.

What values was Stoker encouraged to have in his upbringing, which did he reject, accept or modify as an adult, and which do you think he  aimed to express didactically in Dracula and his other works.

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Chapter 11

by tmarch on March 4th, 2008|Filed under: Reading Reflections

Thomas Bilder, who is interviewed about the escaped wolf, is very clearly presented as a member of the lower class by Stoker.  He is one of several ‘peasants’ we meet in this story of predominantly middle class and aristocratic characters.

What special purposes do lower class characters seem to serve in Dracula?  What values do they embody that their social superiors sometimes lack?  In your answer, explore Bilder’s interview closely, and make reference to one other lower class character from earlier in the novel.

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Chapter 12

by tmarch on March 4th, 2008|Filed under: Reading Reflections

“Truly Miss Lucy, if she be sad in the foes that beset her, is at least happy in the friends that love her. One, two, three, all open their veins for her, besides one old man.”

Discuss the ways in which generosity is explored in this chapter and one other from the novel so far.  What values does Stoker pit generosity against, and how does he do this?

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