What is truly evil?

I am beginning to wonder if the monsters we read about are really as evil as we depict them to be. I mean vampires are just like people they just have a different way to survive. And werewolves aren't monsters they are just scientific animals with a mutation. and you know that some believe that God creates everything, well if these monsters exist, maybe he has a reason for creating these unique creatures you know. What is truly evil?

FEAR! :S

i have a question, why do you think all the characters in the book truely feared dracula? yes he is the "villian" in the story but still there are way more people that could stand up to dracula than it being just him by himself i think that the towns people should have beenbrave enough to go out and try to destroy him their selves. Do you think it is because of his immortal power? do you think it is because of the connections to the undead? or is it just because they are to scared to fo anything about it?

Also, how do you think the concept of fear is portrayed throught the book?

the legend of dracula:)

ok you know how dracula has been portrayed in many stories and movies in many different versions? How do you think the original compares to today's version of the whole "vampire vs. Wolf" thing that is going on in this generation? like in the story of dracula he was the person that could control the wolves with a single look. but now they are in some kind of battle with each other?.. what is up with that? and how do you think the author would feel if he could see all that has happened to his "genre" of book, becuase with out bram stroker the age of the vampire would have not even exsisted, because it has diminished to stories such as TWILIGHT!? :S

what do you think?....

Legends/Prophecies

"It is commomly believed that on a certain night of the year-last night, in fact, when all evil spirits are supposed to have unchecked sway-a blue flame is seen over any place where treasure is concealed." (pg.22) This is the legend in the book i feel that it is a signal of dracula's coming. Sort of like his introduction into the book.

What do you guys think?...

Main Characters/byronic Hero

The main chracters of this book all seemed to care for one another very strongly (except for dracula of course), Like when Lucy's mom came to her in her time of need , even though she did end up endangering her life haha,and Mina stayed by lucy's side the whole time and she was always worrying about her husband. Van helsing is the care taker inthe story and he does a great job at protecting lucy in the book, her husband Arthur is forced to do the unthinkable when lucy is finally turned into the undead, a sad sacrifice for love. They all take care of each other as if they had been related in some way. This book shows a great amount of comradery amongst the group of characters...

Now in this story i see that there is not really a byronic hero, becuase when i looked up the definition it described it as a very cynical yet brilliant MALE! but usually leads himself to his own destruction. In Dracula i feel that there is neither a byronic hero nor a "hero" but a HEROINE! Mina is definitely the heroine in the story because she was the bravest one in the book, she was put into a man's place and faced the challenge with great gallantry.

TV Screen vs. Imagination

Another thought. What Do you think is better? Reading a Gothic Horror novel? Or Watching a Gothic Horror Film? Would you rather want to actually see the goriness on screen or imagine what it would actually be like in your head while reading the book? Personally, I would like to read it in a book. I would get to use my brain to imagine what the setting would look like and delve into the imagery. What are your guys' thoughts?

Please answer in a comment under this topic.

Setting.

2nd Discussion: Your novels will cover several different settings. These settings include both the outdoors and the interiors of any castles / chateaus. Please discuss your various settings, using quotes to help support your theories. Remember to include page numbers with your quotes. Visit other sites to discover similarities and differences; comment on those other sites.

This is the next topic.

Obviously, in our book, the setting changes a whole bunch because of the many, many characters within the book. But do you think that having too many settings is confusing to you as a reader. Or does it make the story more interesting? In my opinion, it adds to the realism to the novel. Do you agree?

Please discuss this topic by adding a comment under this