Dracula An Epitome of the Gothic Novel - 2430 Words

Alex Prather Weems British Literature August 9, 2010 Dracula, by Bram Stoker, is quite the epitome of the gothic novel. Towards the beginning of the story, the setting takes place in an old and ominous castle, which is highly characteristic of gothic literature. Harker’s tribulation begins when â€Å"the driver was in the act of pulling up the horses in the courtyard of a vast ruined castle,† (Stoker 18). There is also a gloomy and menacing tone given to the setting of the novel, as in most pieces of gothic literature. This gloom is evident early on in the novel, as it reads, â€Å"Then a dog began to howl somewhere in a farmhouse far down the road--a long, agonized wailing, as if from fear.†(Stoker 16). Also coinciding with the nature of†¦show more content†¦Seward as he states, â€Å"The sweetness was turned to adamantine, heartless cruelty, and the purity to voluptuous wantonness.† (Stoker 226). Lastly, Dracula embodies a symbol of great and overwhelming power. Dracula procla ims his own might as he declares, â€Å"My revenge is just begun! I spread it over centuries, and time is on my side. Your girls that you all love are mine already; and through them you and others shall yet be mine - my creatures, to do my bidding and to be my jackals when I want to feed.† Count Dracula has a profound effect on all the characters in the work of literature. Jonathan Harker’s true determine and courage is brought about to prove that he is more than just a mere solicitor when he is faced with the troubling dilemma of being trapped in a vampire’s castle. His testament that he will escape may be observed in his journal as so: â€Å"I shall not remain alone with them; I shall try to scale the castle wall farther than I have yet attempted. I shall take some of the gold with me, lest I want it later. I may find a way from this dreadful place.† (Stoker 59). One may also observe the complete distraught the Count reeks on Harker. Mina’s diary reveals that he â€Å"raved of dreadful things,† (Stoker 116). Lucy Westenra is affected at great lengths also. Dracula causes her horrible nightmares, and transforms her dreams into â€Å"a presage of horror,† (Stoker 138). Eventually the Counts consequence is so heavy upon h er that she is transformedShow MoreRelatedGothic Elements In Dracula Essay1499 Words   |  6 PagesStoker s Dracula is a staple of the Gothic Horror genre. It is a novel that has been scrutinized by countless readers since it was published in 1897. While Stoker s novel is certainly not the first example of a piece of gothic horror, or even the first example of a gothic horror story focusing categorically on vampires, it still managed to plenarily capture the attention of the public. But not only did Dracula enthrall the readers of its time, but it perpetuated to be a mainstay of the gothic horrorRead MoreThe Gothic Theme in Dracula by Bram Stoker Essay907 Words   |  4 PagesThe Gothic Theme in Dracula by Bram Stoker Bram Stokers Dracula is a true Gothic novel that belongs on any gothic literature course. Focusing in on the recurring themes, characters and settings used throughout the novel one sees how Dracula has set the standard for Gothic literature today. The theme in Dracula is that classic Gothic theme of the epic battle of good versus evil. In this novel this is expressed in a very direct way, there is never any question as to who is right and whoRead MoreHow The Romantic Period Was Characterised By Political And Social Upheavals1318 Words   |  6 Pagesexplicitly state the means by which Victor Frankenstein brings the monster to life, however it is possible to surmise that he utilises some form of galvanic stimulation. [7] Conversely, Wuthering Heights may be interpreted as a socio-economic novel. The novel opens in 1801, a date Q.D. Leavis believes Brontà « chose in order â€Å"to fix its happenings at a time when the old rough farming culture, based on a naturally patriarchal family life, was to be challenged, tamed and routed by social and culturalRead MoreComparison Between Dracula by Bram Stroker and Twilight by Stephen Meyeres975 Words   |  4 Pagesfirst available representation of the mythical creature in prose fiction can be found in John Polidori’s â€Å"The Vampyre† (1810). It was not until eight decades later that Bram Stoker popularized the existence of this figure with the publication of â€Å"Dracula† in 1897. The folklore of the vampire has come a long way since and can be found in today’s popular media more frequently than ever before. However, with due course of time, the representation of the creature has taken alternate routes and today’sRead MoreDracula: Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra1127 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿In the novel, Dracula, by Bram Stoker, we are introduced to two specific ladies that are essential to the essence of this gothic, horror novel. These two women are Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra. The purpose for these two women was for Stoke to clearly depict the two types of women: the innocent and the contaminated. In the beginning, the women were both examples of the stereotypical flawless women of this time period. However, as the novel seems to progress, major differences are bound to ariseRead Moreâ€Å"Fear of the Unknown Is a Common Gothic Theme†. Is This True in Your Texts?3510 Words   |  15 Pagesof the unknown is a common Gothic theme that is used to create fear and uncertainty in the responder. This is achieved through the use of a number of different techniques and conventions. The fear of the unknown is expressed through dark, uncertain and mysterious circumstances cause responders to feel vulnerable and fearful. In Bram Stoker’s Dracula the overpowering force of the sublime, the prominence of religion, death and use of darkness accompanied by typical Gothic techniques evoke a fear ofRead MoreFemale And Female Gender Roles3513 Words   |  15 Pagesgender roles in society. Women have been described as ‘the angel in the house,’ whilst men are typified as dominant and prevailing in comparison to women. The gothic genre in literature is used to personify and exaggerate these stereotypes, by using gothic motifs such as dream sequences and themes such as horror and terror. Not only does the gothic exaggerate the stereotypes, but it also allows them to be contravened, due to the transgressive nature of the genre. The psychoanalytical aspect of this genreRead MoreGood Vs Evil : Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde1724 Words   |  7 Pageswomen† (Allan 55). Who has a blood red fingernails, black dress, and purple bat like a cloak, similar to Dracula (All an 55). The Queen’s attire is parallel the Victorian period and inspired by Dracula, a gothic horror novel, that was produced 1897 in the Victorian period. The Strange Incident of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was also a gothic and horror novella, as well. In addition, the Queen is an â€Å"epitome of evil† (Allan 55). In the â€Å"Silly Symphony,† Pluto the god of the underworld, similar to Hades, was

The Between Being A Woman And Lgbtq - 814 Words

This module six is an interesting and controversial one in the sense that it touches so many issues surrounded feminism. Reflecting on group discussions, class discussions, readings, and audio lecture, I establish there is an enormous correlation between being a woman and LGBTQ in the sense that both are experiencing intersectionality discrimination in the community. What does it mean when the tools of a racist patriarchy are used to examine the fruits of that same patriarchy? It means that only the most narrow perimeters of change are possible and allowable (Lorde, 2001, p.89). What this avowal signifies is that being a black woman or LGBTQ minority member, it will be extremely challenging to defy the oppression encountered by these groups and if at all, they grant them any audience of modification it will be a very microscopic change. Indeed Lorde is very much correct with her statement. However, acceptance of women equalling to men and the acceptance of LGBTQ is still ongoing issu es and controversial one in the community. Fish (2008) argues that many literatures had depicted the LGB as ‘partial citizens’(as cited in Richardson, 1998, p.88); as moral, social, and political aliens’ with ‘second class’ citizenship (as cited in Seidman, 2005, pp. 225-245). Again, there is no differential treatment of oppression between black woman and LGBTQ. Consequently, they both experience similar discrimination and oppression. Examining feminism from anti-oppressive lens should beShow MoreRelatedWhat Does It Mean?854 Words   |  4 Pageslecture, I ascertained there is an enormous correlation between being a woman and LGBTQ in the sense that both experienced intersectionality discrimination in the community. What does it mean when the tools of a racist patriarchy are used to examine the fruits of that same patriarchy? It means that only the most narrow perimeters of change are possible and allowable (Lorde, 2001, p.89). What this avowal sign ifies is that as a black woman or LGBTQ, discrimination and powerlessness is prevalence in thisRead MoreFeminism : A Feminist Perspective1667 Words   |  7 Pagesrecent years, feminism has widely expanded to encompass those who have a lesser voice. From LGBTQ+ issues, to gender inequality, to racism and everything in between, modern feminists are displaying how they are so much more than just angsty women. But is the media displaying it too? In recent years, women s rights and feminist movements have â€Å"...refined leadership and developed models, connected the dots between issues and oppression, prioritized collective power and movement building, and criticallyRead MoreWhy Should Pass The Bills And Policies That Promote Equal Treatment Of Equality917 Words   |  4 PagesThe debate of whether to pass the bills and policies that promote equal treatment of lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender, and the queer (LGBTQ) community has been trending across nations. People refer to fundamental human rights like the freedom of speech and association, liberty, and equal treatment in court as civil rights, because they are fundamental rights that each and every citizen should not be denied on the basis of their sex, race, or religious belief. Though it has been proven thatRead MoreQueer Culture Has Long Been K.d. Lang, Ellen Degeneres, And Elton John1512 Words   |  7 Pagesof representation for transgender, non-binary, and people of color in the media. Another issue with queer representation in the media is the differentiation between gender expression and sexual orientation. Gender expression associated with masculinity such as short hair, loose clothing, and rough materials such as denim when worn by a woman is seen as a demarcation of alternative sexualities. However, those assumptions neglect to recognize the diversity of gender expression. Gender expressionRead MoreUnderstanding Lgbtq Rights1399 Words   |  6 PagesUnderstanding LGBTQ Rights â€Å"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage. But when you start playing around with constitutions, just to prohibit somebody who cares about another person, it just seems to me that s not what America s about. Usually, our constitutions expand liberties, they don t contract them,† President Barack Obama says. Soon later, on July 26, 2015 President Barack Obama declares that same-sex marriage will be allowed in all states of AmericaRead MoreDiabetes Is A Chronic Disease Essay1560 Words   |  7 PagesGender inequality damages the health of millions of girls and women across the globe. Diabetes and its associated complications are part of a chronic disease global epidemic that presents a public health challenge. Health differences between men and women are being challenged to recognize the biological and social constructions. Diabetes affects women more severely because of their unique biological, cultural and socioeconomic circums tances. The most important risk factor in women identified forRead MoreAmy And Lin Have Recently Become Friends After Working1059 Words   |  5 PagesLIN: I’m sorry about the wait. I didn’t know that there was going to be a LGBTQ parade taking place today so I wasn’t expecting many of the roads I usually take to become blocked off. AMY: No wonder there’s such a raucous outside. LIN: I actually think they’re all doing a wonderful thing. Hey, what do you say about joining the parade after getting our drinks? AMY: I think I’m going to pass; I’m not much of a supporter for LGBTQ rights. To be honest, I was pretty against legalizing same-sex marriageRead MoreWhat Culture Can Choose For My Cultural Immersion939 Words   |  4 Pagesthe course of this paper, I will be looking at some stereotypes (both negative and positive) about this particular culture, language differences between homosexual populations and heterosexual populations, my observations of the group and my thoughts on the cultural immersion experience. I chose the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (LGBTQ) community because, to the best of my knowledge, I do not have any family members of friends who identify with any of these categories. I have hadRead MoreThe Origin Of The Lgbtq Movement1749 Words   |  7 PagesThe origin of the LGBTQ movement begins in England. After years of discrimination and poor treatment, LGBTQ individuals banded together to attempt to change the way they were viewed by so ciety. The global portion of the movement focused primarily on changing the cultural ideas of masculinity and femininity (â€Å"History of†¦Ã¢â‚¬  1). These stereotypical gender roles proposed an ideology that not every individual fit into. This caused problems among the LGBTQ community because they were unable to liveRead MoreArt And Acceptance Stemming From Adversity1477 Words   |  6 Pagesin the past 200 years but the culture of drag queens has always stayed true to being a community for men who do not fit into the mold of what is deemed normal. It has been a safe haven and a family for those who do not have anywhere else. Through this culture we see strength, art and acceptance stemming from adversity. Some key aspects of this culture, that help us understand it, are the role drag queens play in the LGBTQ community, the language they use, their history, the reason why gay men are attracted

Political speech Free Essays

Today, I am going to talk about education, because I believe in education and in that a good education can make a big difference. I would like to start with a short phrase â€Å"Education is a key to success†. It gives us knowledge of the world around us, while peeing doors to opportunities. We will write a custom essay sample on Political speech or any similar topic only for you Order Now Education builds confidence to make decisions, to face life, and to accept successes and failures. The best way to reach career success is to establish a strategy and set goals. Education can be a source that could lead someone for a better future. Waking up early In the morning or staying late at night to study for exams Is not an easy task to do. But If we ask us, what is success? For example for someone, success Is the accomplishment of the goal aimed by a person. But for me, It Is when we have determination and patience with what we are doing. And how come education becomes the key to success? In modern and competitive through education, we can learn more and improve ourselves. Professionals as teachers, doctors, engineers and translators surely give importance to their education. With proper training and knowledge, it is possible for them to perform their best in their careers and to be successful in their areas. How to cite Political speech, Papers

Effects of Dota free essay sample

It competed with Bay and Pagsanjan during the selection of the province’s capital. The popularity of this new town grew instantly during the Spanish period. Its location at the foot of the mountain gave it an abundant supply of fresh mountain spring water. Four rivers flowed through the town. They were Initian, Oobi and Ula, from the towering mountain, and Balanac from the falls of Botocan where all the three rivers meet. Botocan Falls and the town’s breathtaking sceneries were uniquely famous. Europeans and wealthy natives from Manila frequently visited the town. However, the road to Malay Barangay was tough. Guests have to be ferried from Manila through the Pasig River to Laguna de Bay. Land travel began by mounting on horses through a path in the forest, and then borne by natives in hammocks on the way up to Malay Barangay. As to how Malay Barangay got its name Majayjay, residents assume that Spaniards found it difficult to pronounce Malay Barangay. Early colonizers may have shortened it to Malay-ay, until it became Majayjay. Legends, however say that it was the difficult journey to Majayjay, which gave the town its name. Tired travelers sighed, â€Å"Hay! † after scaling a cliff, â€Å"Hay! † after ascending a hill, and â€Å"Hay! † after crossing a raging river. Thus, guests referred to the place â€Å"Mahayhay,† meaning, many sighs. Spaniards spelled it â€Å"Majayjay. † Immediately after the conversion of the natives of Malay Barangay, a make shift church was built near May-it River. Fire destroyed it in 1578. Believers built a new church made of bamboo and cogon thatch to refurbish the former. However, fire again razed it to the ground. This time, the faithful built a stone church, but it again smoldered to ashes. The residents wondered. In spite of the repeated incidents of fire, the image of their Patron Saint, San Gregorio Papa Magno remained miraculously unscathed. Through the efforts of Padre Jose de Puertollano, contributions enforced from parishioners, and forced labor of the natives, a new elegant church rose in Majayjay. It took nineteen years, incalculable donations and countless lash marks that scarred the backs of languid natives to finish the church. The church’s completion in 1730 put it in the list of the most elegant churches in the province. The St. Gregory Church IN RETROSPECT, Christianizing Filipinos was the other side of Spanish conquest of the Philippines. Memories of this period are enshrined in colonial churches an Augustinian priest fondly calls angels in stones or messengers from heaven. The 280-year-old St. Gregory Church of Majayjay in Laguna not only bears the endearing term but also serves as one of the living testaments to the strong religious overtones that blended with the colonial rule. The pioneer evangelists in the Philippines were Augustinian friars who were not only preachers but also excellent architects and planners known in Spain during that time. They arrived in the Philippines in 1565 with the expedition of Legaspi and Urdaneta. The rest followed, with the Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans and Augustinian Recollects. How they carried out their missions is a chronicle of dramatic events that culminated at the end of the regime in 1898, in a legacy of 326 towns established, each with a church and 2,237,446 converted souls. Pale-skinned strangers In 1568, five Augustinian priests came to Majayjay accompanied by Juan de Salcedo, a nephew of Legaspi. The town was a small village in the middle of a scrubland at the end of steep and winding trails. In the beginning, the villagers were skeptical, viewing the pale-skinned strangers with strong suspicion that they came to rule their village. Their chieftain named Gat Yantok turned down the conference and with his men walked away, murmuring war. Seasoned in Mexico in handling this kind of situation, the missionaries left humbly but came back later with porters carrying luggage containing food, clothing and other items which they doled out to the natives as tokens of goodwill. They also attended to the sick. Continuing with this act of largesse, the Spanish missionaries finally won the hearts of the natives and conciliated them into embracing the Christian religion. Gat Yantok and his men had no choice but to join the mainstream. And as Christian converts, they even participated in a mass circumcision which was part of the initiation rites of the Christian religion. Majayjay was founded as a town in 1571, so named because during that time one had to gasp for wind and say? Hay? Repeatedly while scaling steep hills that led to the place. Majayjay derives from the Tagalog word mahayhay, which in English means many? hays.? The foundation of a town included the construction of a church and convent which, as directed by Ordinanza de Fundaciones de Pueblos, should be in a conspicuous spot far across the horizon. The Ordinanza was referring to the town plaza where the gobierno was also located. First church The first church of Majayjay was made of bamboo and boxo or dried cogon grass and built by the Spaniards on the west bank of May-it river in 1571. Given its light materials, it was later destroyed in a fire. Four others that were built through 1711 used lumber but were also destroyed by fire, except for one that simply crumbled down. Now wary of similar incidents, the Augustinian planners drew an architectural plan for another church that would survive for ages. The church would become today? s St. Gregory Church, named after San Gregorio Papa Magno of the early papacy. The St. Gregory Church is built of adobe stones with red tiles and prime lumber. At a construction cost of P26, 000, it took the natives of Majayjay 19 years to build it, until 1730. At the onset, the workers who included women were barely paid so that a few of them evacuated to the nearby province of Tayabas (now Quezon). To prevent other workers from fleeing, the priests implemented a fair wage system and scheduled construction work outside the harvest and planting seasons so as not to hamper the agriculture of the natives. No record shows the accounting of salaries paid for the construction of St. Gregory Church, but if patterned after the Sto. Nino Shrine in Cebu, where the workers received a total of P399 in five years, they must have received a total of P1, 500 in 19 years. Particularly during wet days, mishaps often took place during the construction of St. Gregory Church, resulting in injuries or deaths. Upon its completion in 1730, St. Gregory Church was considered the biggest in the Philippines. During its inauguration that year, a canon was fired in the presence of prominent colonial figures. Among the noted visitors was a wealthy European named Fidel Villaraza who came from Valencia, Spain. Senor Villaraza was fascinated with a beautiful native girl and later married her. From their marriage came the now large Villaraza clan in Majayjay. Romanesque Colonial churches in the Philippines are described as Romanesque or Baroque or Gothic in architectural style. The St. Gregory church is Romanesque, with its massive features and rounded arches. This style thrived in Western Europe in the 18th century. Completing the colonial structure is a monastery laid out in the traditional L-shape, where ecclesiastical events were held. St. Gregory Church has a three-story hexagonal bell tower, its main bell weighing approximately 3,000 kilos, delivering a thunderous peal reverberating at a radius of 3 kilometers. The nave is rectangular, above which is the pulpit and a clerestory where the choir loft is. There is a mysterious dark hole that looks like a cave on the west side of a dim alley on the ground floor of the monastery. Since after the Spanish era, no one has dared explore it because, it is believed, danger lurks inside. According to town mayor Tino Rodillas, lore has it that the dark hole leads to a tunnel running hundreds of meters southward, ending in a ravine. The tunnel, the old folk believed, served as the secret route for Spanish military officers who wanted to leave town without the people knowing it. Some time ago, some religious items in the reliquary dating back to the galleon-trade era went missing. The loss caused public uproar, but was soon forgotten. Puente Del Capricho 9TH-CENTURY Spanish photo of Puente Del Capricho In Majayjay, Laguna The thing is an ancient ruin of a weird, huge arch. It stands forlorn at the base of a steep ravine walled in by a thick jungle and the Olya River in Majayjay. It’s a tall arch, moss-covered, with wild ferns and creeping vines growing in its cracks and crevices. Below is a dark green lagoon where we swam and frolicked naked when we were young b oys many moons ago. Villagers made a makeshift bamboo footbridge attached to the abandoned arch. It is used as a shortcut by village people going on foot to the town of Majayjay. Old folks say the construction of the arch stopped abruptly in 1852. It was part of a three-arch bridge that would have shortened the route to Majayjay. Tales of political and clerical intrigues spun wildly, involving civil engineers under Governor General Urbiztondo and the hierarchy of the Franciscan religious order in Intramuros. The dual rule of the Spanish colonial government of civil administration and Christian evangelization of the archipelago sometimes overlapped, resulting in the confusion of accountability as exemplified by the scandalous and aborted bridge in Majayjay. At the center of the controversy was Fray Victorino del Moral, cura paroco of Majayjay, who supervised the construction of the bridge in the early part of 1852. Fray Del Moral, a Franciscan priest, was a strong presence in town. Young, energetic, outspoken and a disciplinarian, he was an old-world missionary evangelizer whose gospel oratory and administrative skill played important roles in the progress of his parish and the whole community. Evangelization The Franciscan order, to which Fray Del Moral belonged, was the second biggest group of friars who arrived in 1578. They took over the vangelization of the towns around Manila and Laguna de Bay all the way to south Luzon, including the Bicol region. The Franciscans built many beautiful churches, bridges, roads and dams. Many are still existing, such as the churches of Majayjay, Paete, Pakil, Lucban and Tayabas. In the Bicol region, they built Naga Cathedral and many others in Sorsogon. They also established charitable houses and ho spitals such as San Juan de Dios and San Lazaro hospitals. The aborted bridge that Fray Del Moral supervised in the ravines of the Olya River acquired two descriptive tags, which became famous. To my ancestors and the people of Majayjay, the bridge was called â€Å"Tulay ng Pigi† (buttocks bridge), to honor our ancestors who worked on the bridge—and got whacked on their buttocks. Latecomers for the job were given a dozen whacks with a paddle. There’s a strong suspicion that the work stoppage was a boycott, in protest against the physical punishment endured by laborers who reported late for work. Government representatives sent by Governor General Urbiztondo filed a report which devastated the pride and honor of Fray Del Moral. The report cited ignorance of scientific studies and engineering principles in the construction. The report strongly recommended the demolition of the bridge and construction of a new one based on proper project studies with engineering and architectural planning. As an insult to Fray Del Moral, the report further said the bridge building should not have been placed under the management of persons who do not have the engineering know-how and scientific knowledge. The Manila authorities gave the bridge a mocking title: Puente del Capricho, â€Å"bridge of whim. A Celebrated Traveller By the 17th  century, Majayjay was already famous for its church, one of the oldest in the Philippines, making it a popular destination among travelers and pilgrims. At that time, the travel from Manila was quite complicated. It involves a boat ride up the Pasig River across Laguna de Bay then a ride on a hammock borne by native bearers up the slippery hillside to the town. Yet despite the hardships, M ajayjay hosted Manila officials and guests, including some European royalties. Visitors in those days stayed in fine stone houses along the main street and around the plaza. A traveler  during the American period was so captivated  by Majayjay that he ordered  a road constructed  from the town to Botocan Falls (currently use by the  National Power Corporation to  harness hydroelectricity). The celebrated traveler was Governor and later US President  William Howard Taft. Today, a journey to Majayjay is an easy drive over good roads, though lodging is a problem. While the elegant ancestral houses are still present, they seldom open their doors to strangers.