Dracula+DL+HyunWoo

Theme and 6-Trait Identification: **(Each person need to complete one theme or one trait. Your 'answers' should be a solid paragraph, including quotations to illustrate your ideas.)**
• Identify 2-3 themes you see in the section
 * Your activity must in some way cover these themes
 * See below for ways to identify themes in a work of literature

• Explain how Bram Stoker utilizes one of the 6-traits in Dracula ([|student_version_writing_scoring_guide.pdf)] Make sure you include direct quotations from the text to illustrate your explanation of the trait.

In terms of ideas and content, Bram Stoker's //Dracula// deserves a six out of six. His writing has a clear focus and successfully incorporates various elements to the plot. Stoker presents his main ideas with skillful execution, making it not incomprehensible but just enough so that the reader could follow and anticipate what would happen next. The descriptors he use are not excessive but concise and appropriate. They become neither excessive nor sparse; the adjectives, metaphors, similes in //Dracula// all contribute equally and significantly to the story line. They do so by insinuating connections with what goes on in real life. For instance, the descriptions used to illustrate Lucy hint the Victorian idealization of women. This plays a significant part in why Dracula chose to bite Lucy over MIna. On an additional note, Bram's style of writing hold the reader's attention through the entire book.


 * Each individual needs to do the following:**

**Critical Passage**
• Identify **one** critical section in the text, and explain the significance. Be prepared to read the section aloud. Make sure to directly quote the passage above your analysis.

The part in which Mina first witnesses Lucy's sleepwalking is a passage of quite a great significance. Lucy is illustrated as a "half-reclining figure" (Stoker 88) on a bench, while "something long and black, bending over" (Stoker 88) looms over her. The ominous figure is, indeed, none other than Count Dracula, sucking on Lucy's blood. This is, to the reader, the first instance in which the true nature of Dracula is exclusively exposed. In previous chapters, Stoker gave only hints as to what kind of a monster Dracula was. In chapter 8, we finally uncover the layers of disguise Dracula draped over his true disposition. This is comparable to Dr. Jekyll in //Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde//, as he, too, possess layers of concealment to hide his inner devil in the form of Mr. Hyde.

**Literary Devices**
• Identify **two** literary devices in the section. Look for any of the following: metaphor, simile, imagery, irony, juxtaposition, symbolism, allusion, alliteration, personification, etc. Explain Stoker’s likely purpose in using the device. You do not need to define the literary terms - we all know what a simile is! (I hope.)

//**Juxtaposition**//

As noted in the above analytical paragraph, Bram Stoker describes lucy as "snowy white" (Stoker 88). On the other hand, the supposed Dracula is described as "something long and black" (Stoker 88). Stoker goes further to clearly portray an image of innocence versus corruption. Lucy is described as a reclining figure, inferring her helplessness as a chosen prey of the vampire. The "white figure shone" (Stoker 88): another description of Lucy as someone holy and pure. Dracula is the shape "bending over the half-reclining white figure" (Stoker 88), showing his predatory instincts and his corrupting influence, tainting Lucy's whiteness.

//**Symbolism**//

The symbolism I discovered in //Dracula// was quite amazing; the scene where Lucy is bitten while reclining on a bench strongly relates to //Snow White//. Lucy can be seen as Snow White, herself, while Dracula can be compared to the evil witch, or even the apple itself. "Half-reclining...snowy white" (Stoker 88) is the descriptor which Stoker uses for Lucy. Not only does he obviously mention the words snowy and white, he also mentions that Lucy is reclining, just as Snow White is laid down, white, pure and untouched. The use of the word untouched is quite interesting in this case, as it is through the biting of Dracula that begins the process through which Lucy slowly transforms into a vampire. The physical touch of Dracula, "long and black" (Stoker 88), represents the contamination of Lucy. Not to mention, the eyes of the Count are described to be "red, gleaming eyes" (Stoker 88) as well are the "two little red points like pinpricks" (Stoker 89) on Lucy's neck. They symbolize the red, poisoned apple in //Snow White//. By coming in contact with it, Lucy falls ill, signaling her eventual metamorphosis into a vampire.

Part 3 Reflection

 * Note: Each group member needs to complete the reflection on your D or G block wiki page within 24 hours of your presentation.**

After your presentation, reflect on what you learned, the pros and cons of the activity, and what you could do to improve in the future. (Write about a paragraph and post it to your block wiki page.)

Through the discussions, I was able to find several hidden meanings in //Dracula//, including the underlying connections it has with other pieces of literature we've read beforehand. Several pros of the activity were active student participation, comprehensive acting and more. The class was willing to put out their ideas during the discussion, and the acting out of certain key passages from the book helped the class learn more about what was actually happening in that section. However, there were more cons than pros. Although I did mention that students participated in the discussion, not all, in fact, raised their hands; several were unwilling to share their ideas. To remediate this, the desks should be set up in a shape that is more comprehensive, like a circle. Another con of this activity was that we, ourselves, were not as prepared in terms of time. Being the first leading discussion group, our time managements skills were quite rusty, and we were not able to go through all the key questions, which may have further helped the students comprehend the invents and motifs within //Dracula//. Overall, if we, as a discussion group, were given another chance to lead the class again, I believe that the cons will be reduced greatly, and, in return, the pros increased.