#being completely deranged is a full time commitment never let anyone tell you otherwise

[amanedachi]

iron / heart

Part of LoL Esports Elemental Series.

[yvesdot]

May 28: In which I make reassurances.

Every time Dracula introduces another overt, obvious bigotry, I always think to myself, oh, fucking hell. So, here it is:

Oh, fucking hell.

I remember I actually read an abridgment of Dracula first, and was shocked that they used the same language for the Rromani people and essentially the same perspective. I suppose to do otherwise would have been dishonest. I do still own this abridgment, and quite enjoyed it, so here's the link. The art is absolutely gorgeous and well worth the look. Also interesting that Dracula is a blondie! I should really reread it now that I've read the full Dracula, to see how race works in the adaptation.

EDIT: I totally misremembered this! The same language is used, but 1) the author is Rromani and 2) they changed the Rromani people to be against Dracula, not with him. Clearly I really do have to reread it!

Anyway, let's cut to something less full of slurs. If you need me to explain how saying Rromani people are "fearless and without religion, save superstition" is racist and antiziganist, again, you are too far gone for paragraphs on the subject to help. I do find that this is another touchpoint for the novel's overall insistence on everything fitting into the "logic" and "science" of white Christian British society of the time–this time demanding a white Christian British society-recognized "religion," no doubt codified and standardized, because anything else is simply "superstition."

Also, these figures essentially serve only as accomplices to Dracula, so, you know, there's that. Jewish/Rromani solidarity? I don't know what to tell you at this point. I am locked in this book like Harker is locked in the castle, except I didn't even commit racism about trains to get locked up there.

To [Mina] I have explained my situation, but without the horrors which I may only surmise. It would shock and frighten her to death were I to expose my heart to her.

Throws my hands in the air. Stoker asks constantly if anybody is going to write a misogynist male protagonist and never waits for an answer. I, again, would love to say that Harker is supposed to be wrong here...? I just don't know that that's what I'm supposed to take away. So I won't judge in either direction.

This episode with the Count really does have such an air of cheesy horror to it. It's fun to watch the Count be "evil," I say, as, of course, I am rooting for him to destroy all of white Christian society and turn everyone into vampires, the ultimate oppressed class. Will he make us all bisexual, while he's at it? Transgender, maybe? I read this book as if the ending might be different this time.

I passed to my room and went to bed, and, strange to say, slept without dreaming. Despair has its own calms.

Again, lovely prose which I wish came in a different package. Despair has its own calms! Post that on Tumblr in swirling cursive.

General commentary:

It also occured to me (mid-nap, if I'm honest) that maybe it's not clear that I think Dracula Daily itself is a cool and worthwhile project. It is! I actually feel a little bad about being such a Dracula hater because there are lots of extremely normal Dracula lovers who have to watch me commentate from a perspective of not even liking the book to begin with. Again, if you know of other liveblogs from normal people who like Dracula, PLEASE send them my way!

It's kind of funny–I did this due to popular demand (not for the commentary so much as people just wanting me to sign up), and I'm really enjoying it from the perspective of a community book club. I just don't like the book. Am I deranged? I've enjoyed doing this with Twilight as well. I wanted to do it with Harry Potter, and might even get the chance to soon. (Will probably not reread All That Shit By Her, though.)

Would be very funny, actually, if someone tried to run a Twilight Whateverly and completely violated all copyright on the text. Not suggesting anyone does it; I'm just saying it would be hilarious.

'Til next time!

Alright fine after FOUR PEOPLE asked me about Dracula Daily I will in fact be participating if only to satisfy the masses. Instead of memes I am going to be talking about what’s going on subtextually and my varied vampire-as-metaphor thoughts. Also, I really do not like Dracula. Alright? Alright. See reblogs for later additions.

May 7: In which Jonathan Harker is racist about books, and the Count declares his intent to fondle England.

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