Tag Archives: English

Dracula iSearch

Posted on by Standard Respond

The detail from Dracula that i decided to research was the gold that Dracula was hoarding, ancient gold.

“The only thing I found was a great heap of gold in one corner—gold of all kinds, Roman, and British, and Austrian, and Hungarian, and Greek and Turkish money, covered with a film of dust, as though it had lain long in the ground. None of it that I noticed was less than three hundred years old. There were also chains and ornaments, some jeweled, but all of them old and stained.” – Jonathan Harker, Dracula.

I feel like this scene really had an impact on my view of the Count, for, after that, I went from seeing Dracula as a wealthy man to a extremely rich man.

It also leads me to believe that he may have more gold in the other locked rooms of the castle, and probably even some gold from Transylvania itself because I found out in my research, that Transylvania was very rich with minerals like gold.  I feel like Bram Stoker put the pile of gold in to add to his feel of mysteriousness and superiority, because you never know how he got it for sure.  The pile of gold may not be significant to the actual story, but it certainly was a good thing to include

“In his speaking of things and people, and especially of battles, he spoke as if he had been present at them all.” – Jonathan Harker, Dracula.

I feel like this also shows that Dracula actually was in those battles that he was talking to Jonathan  about, as it would seem that he got a share of the loot when he won, which is one of the first pointers full out given to show that Dracula may not be human, but rather something that lives a lot longer.

It also leads me to believe that he may have more gold in the other locked rooms of the castle, and probably even some gold from Transylvania itself because I found out in my research, that Transylvania was very rich with minerals like gold.  I feel like Bram Stoker (the author of Dracula) put the pile of gold in to add to his feel of mysteriousness and superiority, because you never know how he got it for sure.  I do not believe that the pile of gold plays a significant role in the story, but it sure adds to it for the reader, for it really helps develop the character of Dracula. I tried to research where the gold came from or any other details that I should know about, but I could find very little, since pretty much everything that came up were “gold deals” at hotels with Dracula in the name.

Roundhead or Cavalier

Posted on by Standard Respond

I have looked a lot into the history of the roundhead and cavaliers, the two sides of the English revolution, more than we had to for class, because I really enjoy that age of history, or, well, from that point through the industrial revolution. I’ve put a lot of thought into this, and I really think that I would probably end up being Cavalier, but have to say I disagree with a lot of their beliefs.  I agree with their flamboyant behavior and dress and the way they all found a way of being unique. But I must say that I really do think that they should have been more organized in their battles, instead of just randomly charging.

But I also agree that there has to be a bit of roundhead around too, for without it we would be chaotic, without the roundheads, the only rules would be made by kings, and we would not have the democracy we have today. Without that little bit of roundhead in all of us, we wouldn’t be doing our work at school, we would be all serving a king’s every will. The world would be a very different place without the roundhead’s influence, but it would also be a very different place without cavalier influence.

The roundheads had simple beliefs, that they were all equal and had to act as such. They all wore very plain black and white clothing, believing that wearing anything flamboyant would show against their beliefs. They were very organized fighters, but at home, they were the most boring people ever. They believed that any luxuries or self-indulgent behavior was bad, they didn’t dance, they didn’t drink, they didn’t listen to music, and they did away with all holidays like Christmas and Birthdays, and made it so that as soon as they had command, you weren’t legally allowed to do anything on Sundays except eat, sleep, go to church, and go to the bathroom.

On the other hand, the Cavaliers were very different. They believed in individuality and were very fond of self-indulgent behaviors. They danced, they partied, they drank, and they listened to music and made it. They celebrated holidays such as Christmas and Birthdays, and they believed that the land should be ruled by a single all powerful ruler, not a democracy voting for everything. They believed strongly in the royal system. But they fell not because of any of that, but because of their arrogance in battle. They did not fight in formations or in unison, they simply tried to kill every enemy in the battle. Period. No strategies just kill, kill, and kill. They slaughtered for quite a while but it didn’t work forever. They were no match for the roundhead’s organized, elite trained force.

Overall, I must say I’m more of a Cavalier, though there is a good amount of roundhead in me. You may see this world as being Cavalier ruled, with all of the parties, nightclubs, and overall Cavalier like lifestyles, but really, if you look closely, roundhead influence is everywhere.