Point of Significance #4 - Theme

      This novel could have many different themes depending on the reader. The primary theme of Dracula would be good(God) triumphing over evil(the Devil). Dr. Seward, Van Helsing, Jonathan, Quincy, and Arthur defeating Dracula demonstrates to the reader that good is more powerful than evil. During Mina's transformation, a Sacred Wafer was placed on her forhead for protection, but because she was undergoing the change, the Wafer burnt her skin. In this novel, the burn is regarded as Mina being unclean in the eyes of God. After the defeat of Dracula, the mark disappears. This represents the forgiveness of God, which Mina wound up earning with the elimination of the Count.

Point of Significance #3 - Conflict

      In Dracula, the conflict that I found to be the most interesting was man versus self. Jonathan's self-doubt was what ended up as the cause of his being troubled. This was interesting to me because it did not occur to me that doubting yourself could be more harmful to your sanity than believing some realities. As soon as Jonathan was told by his wife, Mina(who learned this information from Dr. Van Helsing), that all the information about the Count that he had obtained was fact, he became more and more like his usual self. After Jonathan has had time to proccess this, he realizes that he is no longer afraid of the Count, because what he really feared was that he was insane. Knowing that everything he saw and had written was true, Jonathan was able to trust in himself again, which was a great relief to him. By overcoming this conflict within himself, Jonathan became an even stronger man than he was before.

Point of Significance #2 - Style

   Dracula is not written like most of the novels you would read. The story is told with journal entries, telegrams, and letters. For some readers, this uncommon style of writing can make a novel more interesting. During Lucy Westenra's transformation, the story is mostly narrated using journal entries written by Lucy's doctors. Applying this technique allows the reader to better understand Lucy's medical condition. By having more than one character's journal entries in this novel, the reader acquires the ability to see from all points of view, with the exception of Dracula's. This novel is written in first person for all of the characters, excluding the Count, whichs permits the reader to discover information about the characters that he/she would not have known had Dracula been written from only one character's point of view.

Point of Significance #1 - Character

   In the second chapter, Dracula is portrayed as a tall old man with a long, white moustache, wearing only black. Right away, the reader is shown that there is something odd about Count Dracula. Jonathan Harker, one of the main characters, notices the Count's unnatural strength and unusually cold body temperature. The Count is introduced to the reader as a secretive, and courteous man. However, in the third chapter, the reader is shown a different side of the Count--the cruel side that can be seen just under the surface of his usual facade. While resting in the Count's library, Jonathan witnesses Dracula's true strength and the fury that the Count is capable of feeling. Unfortunately for Jonathan, he believes this was all a dream and so does not begin to look at the Count in a different light. This will likely lead to a conflict which will show Jonathan the extent of the Count's fury. The conflict would have to occur when Jonathan can be sure that he is not dreaming.