#Dracula daily 2023

[jellolegos]

I love you with all the moods and tenses of the verb.

18 September

Letter, Mina Harker to Lucy Westenra. (Unopened by her.)

[artemisyates]

Some Mina and Jonathan Harker for the end of spooky season. ♥

[skeletonsloverockcandy]

One thing I’m seeing on this re-read of Dracula Daily that I’m already really enjoying, it’s all the little details we didn’t catch before

When we first started we didn’t know who Jonathan Harker was and to us he was just a silly little British man who was ignoring the obvious warning signs, so there was a comedic element to the dramatic irony of him going to Castle Dracula

But now that we know who Jonathan is and we care about him, it hits much harder all the subtle horror elements we missed while focusing on this good friend telling us about his travels

From the first entry, people picking up on the dog barking under his window and being like “is that Dracula? Does it start this early?” Being skeeved out by Dracula’s overly familiar letter to Jonathan, which at first seemed perfectly reasonable except for the name attached at the end, and picking up on all the terrible foreshadowing for what will be Jonathan’s living hell over the next month in his Castle.

And people this time picking up on the bravery of the wife of the innkeeper who gave him a crucifix, begging him to stay or wait, to not go to the castle, of the terror of knowing that Dracula was in correspondence with her husband to get the letter to Jonathan and the sort of subtle threat they must be under at all times, of the significance of “for your mother’s sake” knowing what Dracula does to children. She is no longer perceived as a random background character, but an active player forced to be a bystander who is trying desperately to help this ignorant soul in any way she can even if she knows it might be useless.

I love people realizing Jonathan is skeptical and off-put, but not enough to deter his mission. He’s not oblivious, just making an effort to remain open-minded to the culture and superstitions and beliefs he is not familiar with, since he’s aware it will be wildly different from his own (to the best of his ability for being an Englishman from the 1890s) and pointedly dismissing the things that might be red flags as an attempt to rationalize because nothing truly concerning has happened yet to provoke him to leave, and he doesn’t want to be deterred by something he’s getting worked up for for no reason yet, he couldn’t do his job otherwise and people are depending on him

Idk, I just like this deeper analysis and thought now that people are already familiar and attached to his character, and now know what happens, so they can properly point out when something is foreshadowing later events or themes in the novel, and they can pick up on it quicker

Even something as simple as people noticing the other meals mentioned in the first entry because of all the focus on Paprika Hendl last year makes me happy :)

I like that they are giving our protagonist more credit now, knowing the character he turns into later in the novel (a badass)

It is satisfying :)))

[catacomb-rats]

Hey fellas, are we gonna talk about the “I know now the span of my life. God help me!” 

Imagine your killer looking you in the eye and telling your exactly when he’s going to kill you, as you both politely pretend you don’t know what’s happening. You’re just writing some letters. He’s just thinking ahead. You’re just staying in Transylvania for a little longer than expected. You’re going to die in 6 weeks and you and Dracula both know it.

That line hits me like a fuckin brick every single time. Poor Jonathan. God help him indeed. 

[g-l-o-w-y-l-i-g-h-t-s]

Has this been done yet?

[lithiumseven]

Jonathan on June 25th

[eiriee]

I think it was this entry last year where I became convinced this new order of telling actually added to the experience more than being a gimmick to read Dracula in small pieces. The juxtaposition between castles in the air representing fantasy and freedom for Mina and Lucy coming immediately after castle in the forest representing phantasms and prison for Jonathan! The horror that contrast gives was not in the original novel.

[lady-dulcinea]

Something the October 11th entry really highlights is how much Mina and Jonathan are sure about each other. How much they know each other to the point they can read each other without any perceived difficulty, and how their devotion, their partnership, although treasured and seamlessly reciprocated by both, is never even questioned by them.

When Mina receives news that Jonathan is alive, she goes, an unmarried and unaccompanied woman, all the way to find him and marry him, even tho he’s still traumatised, half mad from his stay at Castle Dracula, and in the eyes of society could very much be considered an “invalid”. But she marries him anyway, and although Jonathan does gently reaffirm the delicate state of his body and specially his mind, he never really seems overly surprised that she chose him despite it all. And in the same entry we see a similar reaction from Mina when Sister Agatha feels the need to inform her that she shouldn’t worry that Jonathan’s malady might be because of some other woman; she all but scoffs at the idea, because it hadn’t even crossed her mind. Of course there isn’t another woman. Similarly, as she eventually makes acquaintance with several men, all of them rich bachelors who grow a quick and openly affectionate bond with her, Jonathan has not a single moment of insecurity about it. Of course they all love Mina, why wouldn’t they? Jealousy requires a certain lack of confidence in your partner that neither of them has. Their worries concerning each other are always ALWAYS directed at external influences: That something will hurt them, or that something will keep them from each other.

Which brings us to October 11th, when that sureness is brought to it’s highest, most tragic peak. Jonathan knew what Mina intended calling them all to meet her before their trip. He was so sure of it he spoke with Jack beforehand to make sure it would all be documented correctly, as he himself would never be able to write down such a thing as a symbolic funeral for his beloved. And he also knew what she would make them promise to do.

Because Mina, beyond just wishing to have the littlest bit of agency over her own death, is being strategic here. She knows Jonathan will “be with her to the very end”. She does not need to know of the promise he made to her in the solitude of his diary. Their devotion to each other is a given, one they do not take for granted, but that they expect nonetheless because they know each other and the strength of their love. Had she read the promise, she would undoubtedly be shocked by it, specifically by the utter heresy of it, devout as she is to her faith. But she would not be surprised, and this entry shows her anticipating what the Worst Case Scenario could potentially do to her husband, and trying to avoid it at all cost.

No, I don’t think she gone as far as assuming that Jonathan would deliberately choose vampirism for her. He has been as much of a devout christian as her for most of their lives, and tho she is not blind to the changes the last few months (and specially the last few days) have caused on him, she would not there suggest the Holiest Love conclusion is anywhere close to his mind. For after all, she has explicitly stated that she wants to be received by the grace of God, wants the same freedom granted by the boys to the soul of dear Lucy, and Jonathan simply wouldn’t deny her that.

Right?

And guys, as much as I love Jonathan’s vow and how he absolutely refuses to let her “walk into that unknown and terrible land alone”… it is a selfish vow. Romantic to the core, but selfish. Jonathan knows that’s not what Mina wants. He phrases it in a way that makes it seem like he is doing it purely out of love for her, so she’ll not be alone, but really, the selfless thing would be to do what she asked of him today. Her soul would be free, there would be no more Dracula to torment the world and kill innocents, and when Jonathan’s time came, he would join her in heaven.

But as I said before, the only thing that ever worries them about their relationship is whether or not they are hurt and when there is something keeping them apart. Jonathan goes to Transylvania and Dracula tries to keep him there: they both suffer from the distance. The first time Jonathan went to meet a client was the first time he and Mina were away from each other since the wedding, and she expresses anxiety about that. The men want to keep Mina away from vampire business to “protect her”: both her and Jonathan are unhappy with suddenly keeping secrets from each other. “A door is locked between them” because there is a part of Dracula inside Mina’s mind and she cannot be trusted to know all their planning, and Jonathan is crestfallen about it. Their deepest source of misery is always not being with each other, not being able to communicate properly, not just be together. And they both know that. Mina is just severely underestimating how far Jonathan would go so they’re not separated. As it is, she knows her death would bring him terrible grief, and by asking the help of their friends today and making him read the burial service, she’s trying to both a) Guarantee that should Jonathan’s hand falter, more steady ones would fulfil her wish; b) Unite them once more in the care they all have for her and show Jonathan that, should the worst happen, he won’t be alone. The other will be there. He shall not be so lonely if/when he becomes a widower; c) Perhaps by reading the burial service he can become more used to the possibility of her death and ease his heart to the matter.

However, Jonathan promises nothing to anyone. He asked for Jack to make an accurate description of what happened so that no detail would be left out, and yet we hear no word of confirmation from him.

And I’m sure she noticed it, too.

[ifwebefriends]

I first started reading Dracula Daily about a week or two into May 2022 because everyone and their mom on tumblr were talking about it. Breaking the novel into smaller bite-sized pieces occurring in real time really helped me to digest it better and helped me to get a better idea of how the story was actually paced out. I got caught up on a few entries and kept up with it until around late September/early October when a lot was happening in my life and I couldn’t keep up.

I tried again this year and I also listened to the Re: Dracula podcast which helped me a lot since I’m a visual-auditory learner and I’m not the best at reading. I listened to every entry and usually read the corresponding email at the same time. The podcast was also helpful since I knew about how long it would take to get through each entry so I could plan my time around it. I had a much easier time this year reading the novel. I’m proud to say that this time around, I saw it all the way through to the end.

I’ve had a lot of fun reading and listening to Dracula, telling my loved ones about it, and talking about it with everyone here online! I’ve loved the art, memes, and discussions we all had around this old classic book. The book is so unique and compelling and it doesn’t get as much appreciation and respect as it should.

Thank you so much to Matt Kirkland and the @re-dracula team for providing such a wonderful, immersive, and well-made experience and bringing together a bunch of nerds online. I don’t think I would have ever read this book without you. And thank you to all the other readers and listeners who helped make the journey as much fun as it was. We laughed, cried, cheered, and talked together and I’m so glad that I was a part of it all. I’m sad that it’s over but I’m happy that it happened at all.

[kyanitedragon]

I love how all the allos are freaking out over Quincey, and my aroace ass is ALSO freaking out over Quincey but for entirely different reasons.

"Tell me, like one good fellow to another, is there any one else that you care for? And if there is I'll never trouble you a hair's breadth again, but will be, if you will let me, a very faithful friend."

Quincey being so willing and determined to stay as Lucy's friend, even if she doesn't accept his proposal.

"Little girl, your honesty and pluck have made me a friend, and that's rarer than a lover; it's more unselfish anyhow."

And how kind and enthusiastic he is at having her still as a friend, even though he's likely dealing with the heartbreak of her loving another man.

"You've kissed me, and if these things don't make us friends nothing ever will."

I'm,,, so soft for platonic kisses okay,,,

But its even better that Quincey directly says that her kissing him is what makes them friends. A big fuck you to amatonormativity. Love that.

[socksenjoyer]

happy Dracula daily day for those of you who observe

[strangestcase]

For the people that are going to do Dracula Daily this year:

One of the subplots that Dracula covers, and arguably the most important subplot, is one centered around a psychiatric patient confined to an asylum- it touches upon the way he sees the world, his relationship with his doctor, and how he relates to and perceives the villain VS the heroes, since for most of the plot he believes the villain to be good and strives to serve him.

Both the patient and the doctor characters (who are part of the main cast and very important to moving the plot foward in their own ways!) are portrayed as sympathetic victims to the main villain and mostly on the side of good, but in different ways, and, of course, the way they are written is informed by the beliefs of the time.

I won't spoil anything too important about it, just warn you that this subplot depicts Victorian Era ableism, which is... pretty extreme, and forms of medical abuse (specifically, psychiatric abuse) that still exist today!

This plotline involves:

-depictions of hallucinations, delusions, and irrational thinking

-medical malpractice: delusions being encouraged, patients being dehumanized, prolonged use of dangerous restraints

-unsanitary behavior (eating live animals)

-ableist attitudes from most of the hero characters

(other Dracula fans pls tell me if I've missed something)

What do I make of this? you ask. Well...

Do not excuse medical abuse, even if it's fictional. The doctor character is, for all his medical malpractice, depicted as a complex person that has some likeable traits and he undergoes a pretty sad arc relating to loss and trauma, like most of the heroes of this novel. This doesn't make him any less of an abuser, nor makes his patient any less of a victim!

Refrain from using ableist language or rethoric. The patient character, being written for a very old horror book, is often depicted as "unsettling" and his strange behavior is sometimes played for horror. This 1) doesn't make his situation any less deplorable 2) doesn't make him any less sympethetic and most importantly 3) doesnt give you a free pass to treat him as a scary horror monster. He's a victim of both the real monster of this story and the system he lives in.

Listen to psychotic fans. Research the history of Victorian asylums. Understand the historical context. Look at this subplot from a holistic perspective instead of treating it as a horror story within a horror story (although, it is a horror story, but not for the reasons some think it is!). Just don't be a dick to disabled people.

If any part of this subplot triggers or squicks you, you are not obligated to read it, just be aware that it exists and that it is important to avoid perpetuating ableist stereotypes, be they present in the original text or not. (Hell, you are not obligated to read any part of the book if you don't want to do so. Dracula Daily is supposed to be fun. Analyzing literature is supposed to be fun. Enjoying literature is supposed to be fun!)

For the love of God, don't get angry if some fans dislike the doctor character for what he's done and take the patients' side. This was an issue during the last Dracula Daily run. He's literally the victim in this relationship. I'm not saying you can't like or dislike either character but I have to reiterate: do not erase either character's contribution to the plot, do not demonize the patient character for being mentally ill in an "ugly" way and beliveing the villain is good, and don't woobiefy the doctor character because he said a funny thing once. Both are complex adult human beings so don't expect them to be caricatures.

Do not be afraid to call out ableist behavior from other fans, but also be careful to not overstep or talk over disabled fans, especially psychotic fans.

During the Dracula Daily run, some blogs will warn about the entries in which this subplot takes place, and what triggers apply for each one of them. If you need those warnings, don't be afraid to reach out for them!

Happy reading!

[artemisyates]

✨ Mina Harker ✨

I love the Harkers so much! I really need to try to settle on a design for Jonathan too.

And just draw these two dorks more in general.

They're delightful ♥

[petrichorandarson]

thinking about Van Helsing today,,, he’s the one with the knowledge of what’s happening, but in today’s entry, he is grateful to find he is still sane. He’s the driving force to rid them of vampires, but here, he was utterly terrified of them. He’s such a good character. So absolutely unwavering in conviction, and yet every bit as emotional, vulnerable, and afraid as the rest of the cast.

[catacomb-rats]

Songs to Remember Quincey Morris to

Going mostly off vibes, I've made a lil Quincey playlist for the most rootin-tootin-est member of the Drac Squad

[leer-reading-lire]

Last read:

Title: Dracula

Author: Bram Stoker

Illustrator: Edward Gorey

Number of Pages: 427

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First published: 1897

Read: 3 May – 27 November 2023

Thoughts: 

I finally got around to re-read this novel! And I couldn’t have done it without Dracula daily and everyone in Tumblr commenting the story and sharing their art. 

I loved the experience of reading along with so many people and their posts about it always gave me food for thought. It truly made my reflections about the book richer. 

The first time I read this epistolary novel I was fifteen years old and since then I had forgotten many important plot points, as well as some characters. However, I remembered that I had loved the story, and I was fascinated by Mina Murray and Jonathan Harker. Mina was my favorite character and, back then, my favorite suitor was John Seward, followed by Quincey Morris. 

I definitely appreciated reading the letters and diaries’ entries in chronological order. I think it may be the better option for a first-time reader.

This time around I felt Jonathan’s terror, hopelessness, and desperation. I was genuinely moved by his trials and tribulations when he was held prisoner at Dracula’s castle.

I loved the voyage of the Demeter because I could feel the anxiety and fear of the sailors. The whole journey was nerve-wrecking.

A character that took me by surprised and completely won me over was Lucy Westenra. I’m angry in her behalf for all the horrible adaptations that portray her under misogynistic lights. A particularly terrifying scene for me was Mrs. Westenra’s death. And when Lucy died was heartbreaking. 

The part with the Bloofer Lady was intriguing. Here I have to say that while I had overlooked Arthur Holmwood in my first reading years ago, this time I got to appreciate his character and I could clearly see why Lucy had chosen him. He was so kind and loved her very much. They were so in love and eager to start their live together, it was all so tragic. 

Likewise, I’m in awe for John Quincey, Arthur Holmwood and Quincey Morris’ friendship. The affection that the three friends had for each other is hard to miss. I was astonished by Stoker; all his depictions of masculinity are something else. Specially, in Jonathan’s case.

Abraham van Helsing annoyed me and frustrated me for most of the time that he was on the page. I think I only warmed up to him in the final part when he and Mina traveled to Dracula’s castle.

Mina was extraordinary! I loved that she liked to ask about ghost stories, and she was so smart, organized and kind. I’m particularly keen on her hyperfixation with train schedules. 

The whole scene when Dracula attacked Mina was appalling, truly nightmarish and gruesome. I can’t for the life of me figure out why there are so many adaptations and (fan)fiction where they’re presented as a romantic couple! In my opinion, romanticize abuse is nauseating.

In general, I think pop culture has failed both Lucy and Mina and they certainly deserve better. 

The last section where the whole gang finally comes together; they miraculously stop keeping information from Mina (as they obviously should have done from the beginning); and they work together to defeat Dracula is very exciting! 

The ending was gratifying in many ways, although of course it was ultimately bittersweet. 

This is a fantastic book, extraordinarily well written and full of adventure, fright, suspense, anticipation, mystery, and action. It’s without a doubt one of my favorite novels ever.