Friday, October 15, 2010

Dracula!


Our current read for book club is Bram Stoker's Dracula. In this book, Jonathan Harker has a job to do. The young lawyer must go to the mysterious country of Transylvania to work for a man he knows as "the Count." At first, Jonathan is excited by the chance to travel and meet new people. But after his arrival in Transylvania, he begins to wonder what's going on. People act strangely upon hearing he is going to visit the Count. When Jonathan arrives at the Count's dark, isolated castle, he too begins to feel afraid. Soon after meeting his host, Jonathan finds himself trapped in a horrifying nightmare. Only this nightmare is real, and he can't wake up...

Use the comments section below to offer your thoughts and impressions of this book. Remember to include things such as
1. What you think of the characters
2. Your impression of Stoker's writing style
3. Evaluation and discussion of literary elements such as plot, theme, and setting
4. Your predictions about what will happen in the book
5. What other books does Dracula remind you of (text-to-text connections)
6. Does this book remind you of anything in your life (text-to-self connections)
7. Do you like this book and would you recommend it to a friend?

45 comments:

Rebecca Martinez said...

OMG!!!!!! CHAPTERS 1-8 WERE AWSOME! i LOVED IT BUT LUCY VAMPIRE NOOOO! Poor Johonathan he has been thorugh alot and they think heis crazy. Minais cluless! What is up with that ship? all I know is that Dracula was a stowaway? He killed them all. Reinfeild guy is a servant of Dracula! Not a surprise. But Mr. Seward better wach his back!

Sara Martinez said...

This Book Is Amazing!!!!! I fell sorry for poor Johnothan he had to go through a very tromitizing 2 months. The ship incident was very good evidence that Dracula is in town. Then Lucy Nooooo!!!! I though she was a good character. Reinfeild not a big surpirse that he worked for Drcula. But I do fear for Mr. Seward life.

Selena Knight said...

Great insight and comments girls. I agree that Jonathan has been in a very distressing situation, and that Renfield is a strange and dangerous character. I think the fact that he is insane on top of being controlled by Dracula just makes him that much more scary and dangerous! I also feel pretty sure that things are not looking good for Lucy. I am predicting that she will turn into a vampire as well......

Keep up the good work, and I appreciate you girls participating as online members of our book club. Make sure to come take the photo with us this morning for the yearbook.

Rebecca Martinez said...

POOR Lucy she is turning into a vampire right in front of Mr.Seward. They should have called Van Helsing in sooner. Lucy's mom is dead. I didn't want her to die like that. Reinfeild is getting more and more scary/crazy. I really don't like Dracula. He's killing all the good charcters. If Johnathan found out about Lucy he will probably have a heart attack! I feel sorry for Mina because if my best friend died I would want to be one of the first to know. I don't like how Dracula can control the wolves. I think it's not fair for people because Dracula has enough power already. hey, by the way when is the next meeting?????? I would like to know, please. We read to chapter 16 next right?

Mercedez Montgomery said...

I can't believe lucy's dead and her mom at the same time.I think Renfield has turned into a vampire because he cut Mr.Seward with a knife and started licking his blood off the floor.

Audra Hicks said...

It's sooo weird how all the characters are connected!!! And i wonder when were gonna get to hear about Jonathan again!!! And i wish that it wasn't Lucy that became a vampire :( I thought she was a wonderful character!!! I didn't get to read as much as I wanted to...

lauryn said...

I never would of thought of Lucy being a vampire or being dead.I feel so sad about Lucy and her fiance or husband they had to go through so much to help poor Lucy giving out lots of blood to her .MAN SHE SUFFERED.

Anonymous said...

I really think it fits halloween perfectly!!!!!!!!!
I cannot believe one of us was so amazed that they read the WHOLE THING. but try not to give it away!!!!!

Khalilah McBride said...

This book is like crazy good. I got worried when he went inside Dracula's room. I really wanted to know how many lives equaled one man's life in Reinfield's eyes. I also wanted to know how long he has been working for or with Dracula.

99andkey42406 said...

I like the part when Johonthan got bit by Lucy the vampire.

Basilio U.C. said...

The greatest Dracula book ever written, if I do say myself, and I do. I believe that Bram Stoker's style of writing is very unique, and exquisite. In the story there might be something you haven't notice. When they say that Dracula can change into a bat, and a wolf. The part about changing into a bat is true, but Dracula can't change into a wolf. he can only control wolves, like the one that broke Lucy's window. Also like the wolves that Dracula controlled at his castle when Jonathan wanted to leave. I believe that this would be a really good book to read during Halloween week.

Anonymous said...

if you are wondering why it says anonymous I have no clue but my name is Myranda, and I love this book.It is so sad I cried! I think Lucy was the best character. we will always remember you Lucy R.I.P.

Adrian Benitez Jr. said...

These chapters are kind of long but i don't care I'd read a hundred of these chapters to see what happens Johnathon and Dracula.Does Johnathon find a way to kill the count or does the count make it to london. I sure hope its the first one because I want to see more action in this intense tale!

Mya mcfee said...

OH MY JONAS!!! I cant believe that Lucy dies :( I'm so sad and poor Jonathan he's so alone in that castle. HELP MINA!!!!! She is missing Jonathan so much and he's still trapped. I wish Jonathan could write in his journal again so we could see how he's doing.

Vanessa Apira said...

Poor Art he has no one left his father is dead and know lucy dead. This is so entertaining!!!!!!!!!! Lucy needs help her mother must know about every thing and THE COUNT is going to get so much stronger because he has drank all four mens blood and POOR Lucy's.

Mya Mcfee said...

READ THIS BOOK IT IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

Zyjanae Martin said...

*It's a good book. Really, I think it will be a good Halloween book because it's weird. It's scary. It gives me nightmares at night.*

Myranda said...

I'm trying to leave comments I'm not anonymous!!!!!!

Osiris Espinoza said...

Cool!!! Loved reading this book so far.It was exciting when Jonathan saw Dracula in his coffin.I also got scared when Lucy was laying down and Dracula was right on top of her. When Renfield ate the cat was so gross!!!! I liked the book so far ,it's very interesting and scary!!!

KAREN!!!!PEREZ!!!!! said...

WOW!!!!!!!!!! I cant wait to read the next 4 chaptres Im so exited !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and i still dont now why Jonathon wont leave GOSH!! Im so mad..... I mean like I dont want him to die like that !!!Oh yeah and this is a good book miss knights and even more becuse of the hallowen!!!!!!!!!

Christy said...

:0 O.m.g! I can't believe I never read anything like this before! Poor lucy! she's been turned evil!

Selena Knight said...

First of all, let me tell you all how proud I am of you for posting your comments! This is a great tool for us to share our thoughts and insight into what we are reading. Also, by typing our thoughts, we are all able to participate...even those of us who don't like to speak up in the meetings.
Your writing is on the right track, but remember to always proofread and check for grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure. We want to represent ourselves well and show that we are on our way to COMMENDED status.
The book is getting really interesting! I am trying not to read ahead, but I may have to give in. Lucy is dead despite 4 blood transfusions, but will she remain dead? Where is Dracula staying during all of this, and how much does Jonathan actually remember?
Van Helsing is a blessing, but will he be enough to stop Dracula? Read through Chapter 16 before our meeting next FRIDAY (11-5).
Have a safe and happy Halloween, and watch out for vampires!

Cindy White said...

First of all, thank you Mrs. Knight for inviting me to read along with you and the rest of the book club. I have completely enjoyed Dracula. Secondly, I'm so proud of your students for reading and blogging their thoughts. I find it so interesting to read what others think about Dracula and creepy Renfield! Finally, I would never, never, ever eat flies and spiders!!! What was that crazy man thinking? P.S. I am almost finished with the book and can hardly wait to see what becomes of Dracula. Go Van Helsing!!!

Sara Martinez said...

It's just keeps getting worse and yet it gets better too. I'm glad Jonhathan is alright and I hate Lucy dying along with her mother. But I don't think she's really dead! I feel so sorry for Mr. Seward and Arthur. Van Helsing should have come sooner! Dracula is starting to get really scary and creepy, cotrolling the wolves and all. Renfield is definately working for Dracula. I hope it doesn't get anymore depressing from here on.

Vanessa Apira said...

Please Help Van Helsing I don't want him to get hurt he is the only one who knows exactly what to do and exactly how to protect every one with out him we are bound to die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rebecca Martinez ! said...

Chapters 12-16 were awesome! There lives just keep getting worse. I think Van Helsing is cool. He cured Johnathan! I honestly don't know what Dracula is going to do next. If Johnathan sees or hears about everything mthat has happened there he will freak. I think they are all going to meet very soon. THey set Lucy free which is pretty cool. I wonder who is going to kill Dracula? What will Reinfeild do next? I can't wait to keep reading!

Sara Martinez said...

That was sooooo good!!!! I am happy Lucy is free. I have no idea of wgat Dracula is going to do next and what Reinfield will do either. Poor Author to have all these people die at once! I hope Van Helsing doesn't get hurt. I can wait to keep reading.

Mercedez Montgomery said...

I wonder how they will find Dracula.And I wonder if that child Lucy bit will turn into a vampire.

Rebecca Martinez said...

poor lucy being kept in the dark must be really hard. what is happening I don't want lucy to be bite by dracula!johnothan is oing one place to another trying to get infromation.POOR reified I'm starting to feel sorry for him he says he cares about them. He was getting better then worse.Mina i hope she isn't being bite though i probably already know. The guys don't even know it

Sara Martinez said...

I hope Lucy will be fine and I just hope that Mina is not being bitten and that they will soon find out if so.Poor Johnathan he is being worked so hard and is leaving and leaving. The Others and perparing for a battle that will need all of them. Reinfield I thought was getting better, but I knew that he was going to get worse again.

Myranda said...

heyy I tink it is sooooooooo awesome but man it is almost over

Audra Hicks said...

This book is crazy, weird, and well.. awesome!!!!

lauryn said...

darn it its over already maaaaaaaaaaaan

lauayn said...

Its really getting juicy and i cant wait for whats gonna happen next ,and Dracula is really freaky he controls people and sends his body to places sooooooo weird don's you think.(:

Basilio U.C. said...

This is the real Dracula, not some made up one. Read this book!!!!!!

MERCEDEZ MONTGOMERY said...

I don't really think they can catch Dracula because he's so strong. I hope they pack extra garlic and crucifixs.!!!!!!!!!!

myranda said...

i feel sooooooooooooo sory for jonathan he has to kill his own fiance

andre keys said...

I like that what you said FROM;ANDRE TO;AUDA

karen perez said...

wow audra i so agree with you > we'r such geniuses!!!!!

VANESSA APIRA said...

Poor Renfiled, poor Lucy every thing has go wrong

walter warren said...

I can't believe Lucy is dead.

Rebecca Martinez said...

POOr Mina! things just keep getting worse for her and Johnathan! i hope they find Dracula and kill him. It must be hard for Johnathan to go back to were he met. I was excited when they found the boxes! But things just don't want to work out for any of them. I can't wait for the next chapter.

Sara Martinez said...

They found the boxes and I feel so sorry for Mina. I feel sorry for Johnathan too. Dracula is going to kill one of them soon. I hope nothing bad happens next.

Rebecca Martinez said...

This book has been amazing!! The ending was happy and sad. Why did Quincy have to die? He was awsome! Well at least Mina is okay and they rid the world of that thing! Well this was a very intresting way to see Dracula; I must admit I would have never thought of it. I am happy for Johnathan and Mina. But I must admit that Van Helsing was pretty awsome! But Dr. Seward was my favorite character in this book. I am happy for Arthor and Dr. Seward and that they were happy after everyting they have been through.

Sara Martinez said...

THIS BOOK WAS AWESOME!!!!!! I can't believe Quincy died. I'm glad that Mina and Johnathan aare ok and they can be happy now. Van Helsing was really cool in this book and Dr. Seward is going to be fine too. Author will be ok and they rid the world of that horrible monster!!!!!!