Dracula Chapters 1-5

Chapter 1: It was really interesting to read this after having read the alternate introduction to the book. It was nice to be able to compare the two versions of how the story began. I really like how the story is in all sorts of formats (letters, journals, accounts) and how it begins with a journal entry from the main character, Jonathan Harker. Learning the setup and the lay of the land and all of the people who occupy that land is pretty interesting. When Jonathan makes his comment about how his 'smattering of German' is his means of communication, I was reminded of when my Grampa would tell me stories about when he would communicate with people through his broken German and their broken German and with that they would be able to figure out what the other meant. This chapter also describes some of the superstitions that go on near the Carpathian mountains. The setup of teh book really grabs the readers' attention and holds it throughout the introduction. It's a great start!
Chapter 2: This chapter gives a nice introduction of characters, as we learn more about Jonathan, our protagonist, and we meet Count Dracula, the antagonist. It's really well-written how the realization that he is trapped in a prison slowly and gradulally dawns on Jonathan. The Count is pretty sly about seeming to be just a noble going about his business and learning all he can. Little does Jonathan know of Dracula's sinister reasons for wanting to do this business.
Chapter 3: Learning some history of Transylvania was super exciting and interesting! This is when Jonathan asks Dracula about himself and how he came to be the master of his keep. I'm surprised that Jonathan doesn't think that all of Dracula's questions and reactions to the description of the house he was to by were pretty fishy. I felt so bad for Jonathan when Dracula made him write those letters to his friends and family to let them know that he was doing well, even though he wasn't. I bet at this point he wishes that he would have listened to the peasants who warned him not to go to the castle. Why would Jonathan go and ignore Dracula's warning not to sleep anywhere outside of his own room? Obviously in a castle such as this there must be a good reason for this sort of warning. Those women must have been pretty terrifying, and it would be even more frightening to know that they will come after him at any chance that they can get.
Chapter 4: Here Jonathan's attempts to escape become more and more desparate. Wouldn't it be terrible to have to write your own death note like Jonathan was forced to by Dracula? Anyway, those Szgany were pretty mean, going and turning Jonathan's letters in to Dracula. It would also be so frustrating to not be able to do anything about the Count galavanting about, acting as Jonathan and making it seem as if he is alive and well, albeit a monster. Those boxes seem pretty mysterious and sinister. I can't belive that Jonathan actually goes down into the old chapel and searches Dracula's body for a key. That would take some real courage! That was pretty cruel of Dracula to offer Jonathan some false hope of leaving early by opening up the door for him and then summoning the wolves that if Jonathan did leave, he would be torn to shreds. Hopefully things start looking up for Jonathan soon!
Chapter 5: This was a nice little repreive from all of the suspense that was building up. It fits with the book and it's a good chapter, but I don't think that it exactly fits with this particular reading assignment. It's nice to meet Mina and some of her friends, as well as learn a little about life back in England. Some of the letters seem pretty frivolous, especially the ones from Lucy about her three marriage proposals, but these characters are extremely important later on, so don't discredit them. Some of these important characters are introduced here, and not again later in the book, so if you missed it here, you might want to go back and re-read this chapter. It seems like the purpose of this book is mostly a character introduction for the ones not in Dracula's castle.
I'm really liking this book!