Dracula Free Writing Response

           13 February.--Before I started reading Dracula, I was already kind of nervous. I try to avoid creepy books and horror movies because I can take something that really isn't that creepy and blow it totally out of proportion. When I watched Insidious, I couldn't get the image of a red and black devilish creature with horse hooves out of my mind. Even though I know that stories are made up, I somehow manage to create fears that seem so real and present.
           Knowing that I have this type of a mindset, I started my reading warily. The beginning really wasn't that scary, though. However, I could tell it was building up to more creepiness. In general, it seems like Harker takes longer to realize the gravity of the situation. Before Harker suspected it, I already figured that the driver was Dracula. When Harker finally acknowledged that he was a prisoner, I was just thinking, "Wow, only now you realize." I guess I can cut him some slack, though. I approached the situation with the mindset that Dracula was going to terrorize all that he could, but Harker approached the situation with the mindset that he was going to carry out a great business transaction.
           14 February.--So far, the three creepiest and tense parts were with the mirror, the ladies, and the coffin (when Harker struck Dracula). Those three parts were so gripping, and I really wanted to find out what happened next. After I read the part about the mirror and went up to a mirror in my bathroom, I glanced behind me just to make sure that no one (Dracula in particular) was there. I knew that it was a really dumb thing to do and that I wouldn't see anything, but I just let my paranoia control me. At least, I don't have any locked rooms or coffins in my house to encourage more fears.
           Because I liked the build-up of the coffin part so much, I was kind of disappointed when the next chapter cut to other letters and diary entries. I'm not quite sure what to think of the Lucy situation, but something definitely seems wrong with Lucy. I'm starting to think that Dracula has something to do with it. I don't think that Stoker would just throw in that part of the story if it didn't connect.