Chapter 2

This chapter is all about the introduction of Dracula himself and it is our fist glimpse of his features and his behavior. The chapter starts with a description of Dracula's castle, which relates back to the sublime. i have discovered that everything in this book is described in immense detail and it was no exception for the castle. Harker notes the castle's great round arches, the immense iron-studded stone doors, the rattling chains, and the clanking of massive bolts, and he compares the scene with a nightmare. Dracula himself is as mysterious as the castle itself, in keeping with the books theme of mystery. He is an old man and is clean shaven, except for a long white Victorian moustache, and he is clad all in black without "a single speck of color about him anywhere." He speaks in perfect English and welcomes Harker inside, shaking his hand with an ice-cold, vice-like grip.Although the count has this very cold looking appearance he still acts welcoming and polite in his home which is completely contrasting the look of him.


There are signs throughout this chapter that may show us that Dracula, although looking physically human, may be something different, unknown, maybe supernatural. Firstly Dracula never seems to eat at the same time as Harker when they live in the same house, from the information we are given we are not even sure that he eats at all. Also Harker notices something while he is shaving and Dracula enters the room, we see that Dracula himself does not seem to possess a reflection, which is enough evidence in itself to show that there is something unusual and unnerving about the count. Also when Harker cuts himself by accident while shaving, the count cannot seem to restrain himself. when the Count sees Harker's fresh blood trickling from his chin, his eyes blaze up "with a sudden demoniac fury," and he lunges for Harker's throat. Instinctively, Harker touches his crucifix, and Dracula's fury vanishes. The signs we have seen are signs that any of us would compare to our stereotypical view of a vampire. Harker then explores the castle farther and finally concludes that no matter how many beautiful vistas which he is able to see from the battlements, the castle is a veritable prison, and he is its prisoner. From what i have read so far it seems like everything is not what it seems on first appearances.