Saturday, December 20, 2008

Dracula 5

"All last night she slept fitfully, being always afraid to sleep, and something weaker when she woke from it....When the day came, its searching light showed the ravages in poor Lucy's strength..." pg 183

In this passage, there are many words that start with the letter "s". This soft diction is used to characterize Lucy. Lucy is soft, sweet, innocent, and beautiful. The soft sounds in this passage reveal what kind of a person Lucy is. There is also irony in the second sentence. The words "light", "poor", and "strength" are very ironic because Lucy brings a light and a sense of strength and power to the novel, but is in a very poor condition where she cannot bring her light and power to the novel.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Dracula 4

"Only resolution and habit can let me make an entry tonight. I am too miserable, too low spirited, too sick of the world and all in it, including life itself...flapping of the wings of the angel of death."
pg 189

I think that this quote shows a significant side of Stewards character to the story. I can understand why he would feel the way he does at this moment in time. The repetition of "too" can just reinforce the strong way that he is feeling inside. Instead of using harsh diction, the repetition of "too" can take it's place to show that Steward doesn't mean any harm as a person, but that he is just frustrated. The "angel of death" is also ironic. Angels are said to be in heaven and sweet and innocent but the way that he uses death seems to be very harsh and intense. Steward was most definitely not happy with himself during this part of the novel.

Sarah

Monday, December 8, 2008

Dracula 3

"Shortly before ten o'clock the stillness of the air grew quite oppressive, and the silence was so marked that the bleating of a sheep inland or the barking of a dog inthe town was distincly heard, and the band on the pier with its lively French air, was like a discord in the great harmony of nature's silence." pg 95

I loved reading this passage from the story. I felt as if I was actually a part of the setting (a tree, an animal, or even a person). I loved how the author compared the "french air" to the harmony of natures silence. The imagery of the French silence gave me the most vivid picture in my imagnination. I felt as if I was shopping in France but then all of a sudden on top of a mountain by myself, listening to the wind blow. It was such a cool feeling. The diction was very calm and soothing when the silence was being talked about and a bit more harsh when he described the sound of barking. I loved the contrast.

Can't wait to read more

Sarah