#daily essay

[the-crooked-library]

something something the symmetry of horror and seeing yourself in the abyss reflected

[puttingwingsonwords]

I do think the ‘comedy’ of Dracula in this part of the story only adds to the horror. Like we can all go ‘haha lizard fashion’ because it is ridiculous, he’s crawling barefoot on that wall like 🦎

But also fucking imagine a whole ass man skittering down a wall like that, the fact that his cloak is billowing like wings means he must be going fast too bc otherwise it would just fall over his head. (Or idk maybe he is using magic powers to make his cloak look cooler who knows.)

And it’s in his pretending to have servants too, I know, my most popular post rn is calling him a loser for it which he is!! He’s probably really embarrassed about it too bc it’s demeaning for a boyar to do those chores!

But Jonathan doesn’t have the luxury of laughing at this stuff.

One thing that really caught my attention this time is the uncanny valley of it all. From the moment Jonathan meets the Count, he can tell something is off. No matter how thickly he puts on the charm, Dracula can’t hide the fact that he’s not human; he’s something else, a ‘creature in the semblance of a man’, there’s something innately off-putting about his presence. His eyes, his teeth, his hands, his smell: he has the aura of a predator and Jonathan, his prey, can feel it.

From Jonathan’s point of view, every hilarious weird thing the Count does is another sign of him being Not Human, as well as the fact that he’s in total control—as his ruse of normality is slowly falling apart, but there’s still nothing Jonathan can do. The mask is slipping, the Count is revealing his true nature—whether accidentally or on purpose—and Jonathan can only watch and keep pretending in the hope that it will prolong his life.

[bigfatlesbian]

yes, aylin's succour line is funny and all but yk what else it is? blatant lesbian desire

and that being expressed, when lesbians/sapphics are often merely seen as sexual objects, is so incredibly cathartic and important

it's most likely also part of the reason the dudebros hate her so much (while being neutral towards isobel) -> she doesn't fit the fantasy they desire

[thegoatsongs]

"Stoker's Mrs. Harker personifies a certain kind of woman--one who simply is a New Woman, in Grand's sense of the term, without identifying as such. One self-confident enough to assume that anyone who comes to know her will learn to trust her competence and value her judgment; one who sees marriage as an equal partnership that will be enriched by her skills and contributions; one whose chosen partner is a man who respects her as a peer and friend--a New Man, in short.

The unremarkable unions of the Mina Murrays and the Jonathan Harkers are fruitful, Stoker shows. They might just "make the world a pleasanter place to live in."

-Winstead, K. (2020), Mrs. Harker and Dr. Van Helsing: Dracula, Fin-de-Siecle Feminisms, and the New Wo/Man.

[dailykafka]

— Kafka’s True Will An Introductory Essay by Erich Heller (from Letters to Felice)

[hallaburger]

my biggest dracula movie/tv adaptation gripe is that they never. Ever. get jack seward right. and they seldom get arthur and quincey right. but nobody does jack the way he should be: young, handsome, charming, smart, deeply observant, driven by curiosity, and devoted to a fault.

the hero boys commonly feel like an afterthought by directors and screenwriters - like they're interchangeable, easily omitted or substituted, swallowed up by abraham van helsing's significance. it's really unfortunate, especially since they each feel, in the book, so lovingly created and characterized. they each have importance and i wish more people understood that.

[sygneth]

Things are starting to get awkward hehe

Part 5 of of Holmes' collage adventures

Chapter 1: part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4 - part 5 - part 6 Masterpost (Index) AO3

[friedwizardwhispers]

From Protagonist to Romantic Prop: Mina Murray's Transformation

[jonasiegenthaler]

"I mean, people just figure your pp out at some point"

[thebroccolination]

Things Kawi Did the Night Pear Invited Him Over to Meet Her Father and Potentially Cement the Relationship He Traveled Back in Time to Get:

1) leave

2) yell at hot man

3) complain about hot man

4) drink about hot man

5) kiss hot man

GOING BACK IN TIME TO WOO PEAR SCORE: -100/10

BEING UNHINGED ABOUT A GUY SCORE: 10000000000000000000000000/10

[yaralulu]

Tamlin and Lucien actually invented the codependent homoerotic friendship that slowly destroys you trope but nobody wants to talk about it 🙏.

[daily-basil]

Basil going against Boyfriend from Friday Night Funkin' bc i thought it be funny

This shall be legendary ‼‼‼

it couldve been this but i didn't like the vibe

[origami-trust]

Dracula, October 28th: "The three younger men looked happier at the moment as they seemed to realise the significance of her words; but Van Helsing and I, turning to each other, met each a grave and troubled glance."

What does John "only nine-and-twenty" Seward mean by 'the three younger men...'

I enjoy the gulf he is making here to place himself as one of the "older men" (distinguished with the wisdom of age, of course) alongside Van Helsing.

[simcardiac-arrested]

wait, that elias?

[darkshrimpemotions]

Okay but every single reread makes me more convinced that if Jonathan had stayed, he would have ended up Dracula's fourth bride.

The way Dracula turns to gaze at his "sleeping" form while he says "I too can love"? The way he carried Jonathan safely to his room and tucked him into bed? The way he kept Jonathan up till sunrise talking, and bragged about his proud lineage? Looming over Jonathan's shoulder while he shaves? Running around trying to look like he has house staff for Jonathan's benefit?

And don't even get me started on Johnny boy over there, fixating on the Count's hands and shit.

[moirindeclermont]

Daily thread about BridgertonS3 while we wait for part 2.

Let's talk about Pen, because oh boy I have thoughts 💭 and the short version is "you go girl, good for you, you deserve everything".

Let me start by making a huge shout out to Nicola because she is amazing. I'm in awe of her performance!

And also, disclaimer: this is a very personal opinion based on my experience and my views. Every opinion, as long as it respectful, is valid in my book because it's yours.

But, back to Pen. I do not have to imagine what it feels like pining for someone. To those who never experienced it, imagine all the good stuff about being in love with someone combined with the torture of not be able to he with that person. Don't recommend but sometimes it's just how it is.

And in this context what you do receive, in various form, is a recycled statements along the line of "you have to move on". By the way, and I know this might be unpopular, as long as you don't hurt anyone or go on stalker mode, pining is fine. It might pass, with time. It evolves and it changes, but as long as you're respectful there is nothing wrong with that.

Add to this the layer of "marrying is the only way to get out of this house" I don't blame her for trying. Not one bit.

I already touched on previous threads that I don't find shameful or pitiful asking to kiss Colin. It's over the top? Maybe, but losing hope can make people acting like that.

Moreover, I love that, in the beginning of the carriage scene, Pen doesn't believe Colin. Or doesn't want to believe him. It's been years, so of course you don't believe it, initially.

And I love that when Colin tries to go back "Forgive me" that's when she take a step in his direction. The bravery that it took to speak, I could not image it.

And afterwords, when they stop and Colin adjusts her dress 👀 and she says "what are you doing?" In the softest voice... I think that part broke me. Because imagine having everything you've ever wanted right in front of you, and still there is a part of her brain that doesn't believe it.

As proven by the "Colin?" When he steps out of the carriage. Because even when everything should be okay, but you're not used to happiness and comfort and security, it's normal to doubt.

It's heartbreaking but so real! And yes, there are conflicts that are going to be resolved, but let me touch briefly before this truly becomes an essay on the importance of representation.

Because it's rare to see stuff like this. So rare but so important. The fact that we are waiting to suspend our belief when it comes to Marvel and Star Wars, but we drew the line at this (which is much more common that people think) speaks to me about how much we still have to work on representing different body types.

So, in conclusion, this part 1 made me feel seen. Because everyone deserves love and connection (in different forms according to each). Everyone. Don't let anyone tell you different. Thank you, Pen. Thank you, Colin. Thank you, Bridgerton.