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@alextvalencic
During the long gap between his journal entries, I really enjoy the headcanon that Jonathan is simply sharpening his Kukri all day, every day, while staring intently out the window. The only time he pauses it to look lovingly at Mina.
"...the world seems full of good men—even if there are monsters in it."
I love this fragment of a line from Mina's diary because of its simple yet profound truth. As the days ahead grow dark, may we all remember to look for the good men and women!
This is perhaps my most favouritest line from "Dracula."
I've tried to focus on the portrayals of masculinity within Bram Stoker's "Dracula" via Dracula Daily.
Today was the day I was reminded how much I dislike Lucy's mother. But I love Van Helsing's response to her and it reminds me of a scripture from my faith community:
"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained... only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
"By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
"Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon... and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
"That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death" (Doctrine & Covenants 121:41-44).
Did Dr. Van Helsing has cause to tear into her for very nearly causing her daughter's doom? Absolutely. Did he show restraint by reproving her in such a way as to ensure that there was no enmity between them? Yes!
The real God taketh heed lest a sparrow fall; but the God created from human vanity sees no difference between an eagle and a sparrow. Oh, if men only knew!
I have mixed feelings about Dr. Seward but I really love this notion that man-made gods are creatures of vanity while the true Gof is a creature of tender care.
For life be, after all, only a waitin' for somethin' else than what we're doin'; and death be all that we can rightly depend on.
If we are wrecked, mayhap this bottle may be found, and those who find it may understand; if not, ... well, then all men shall know that I have been true to my trust. God and the Blessed Virgin and the saints help a poor ignorant soul trying to do his duty....
Despite all, the Captain holds firm to his faith in God and his duty to his ship. This isn't "I'm a man and I must be a manly man." It is "I am a man and bound by my honour to hold true to my values."
We could all learn from this good captain's brief interlude.
kidz bop cask of amontillado
i’m sorry but that caption had me wheezing for a good couple of minutes holy shit
"... and only God can guide us in the fog, which seems to move with us; and God seems to have deserted us..."
It is interesting that the captain of the Demeter holds onto his belief in God while also thinking he has been abandoned by Him. I'm not quite sure what to make of this, if anything.
"If only there were a sufficient cause! I must not think too much of this, or I may be tempted; a good cause might turn the scale with me..."
~Dr. John Seward
Is it wrong to believe that the ends justify the means? Or is it wrong to believe that the means justify the ends? Or seeking justification itself the problem? (I tend to think it is this last that creates so many of our problems!)
It makes me rage to think that this can go on, and whilst I am shut up here, a veritable prisoner, but without that protection of the law which is even a criminal's right and consolation.
Ruminating on the number of people in my country who believe that (alleged) criminals do not have rights. Yet this was written by an Irishman in 1897.
I sat down and simply cried.
I am so sick and tired of the stupid trope of "real men" not crying. (Even as I acknowledge that, as a man, I have cried once in the last 20 years. I don't hold back tears; they just don't come.) Bravo to Bram Stoker providing us an example of healthy masculinity in the narrative around our good friend Jonathan Harker.
We don't know the nature of Arthur's proposal, but from Lucy's letter to Mina, it seems plausible that she had to drag it out of him. That tells us something of his character in his desire to wed her but not wanting to press the matter in case he was wrong.
John Seward's proposal reminds me of Mr. Collins in Pride & Prejudice. He views marriage as an arrangement that benefits him more than being an equal partnership and he feels that a future Mrs. Seward should count herself lucky to be married to him.
Quincey Morris' proposal strikes me as one of a man promising to always love his wife and would do all he can to make her happy. I think that Lucy would have gladly married him if she hadn't already been head over heels in love with Arthur.
I also think Lucy's wish to marry all three is more about her innocent desire to make everyone happy more than her being filled with an insatiable lust.
"I felt in my heart a wicked, burning desire that they would kiss me with those red lips. It is not good to note this down, lest some day it should meet Mina's eyes and cause her pain; but it is the truth."
I note here that Jonathan does not think he must protect Mina because she is frail or weak. Nor does he wish to keep secrets from her. Rather, he feels shame at his desire that is unworthy of one who is so loved and knows that that desire may cause intense pain. However, he records it anyway, believing that that is something important, perhaps even sacred, in telling the truth.
"Bless that good, good woman who hung the crucifix round my neck! for it is a comfort and a strength to me whenever I touch it. It is odd that a thing which I have been taught to regard with disfavour and as idolatrous should in a time of loneliness and trouble be of help. Is it that there is something in the essence of the thing itself, or that it is a medium, a tangible help, in conveying memories of sympathy and comfort? Some time, if it may be, I must examine this matter and try to make up my mind about it."
I've often thought about this question. Is a crucifix a ward against evil
A) because it is a crucifix and is inherently endued with supernatural power that repels evil,
B) because of the belief of the wielder about the crucifix as a ward, or
C) because of the belief/fear/dread of the entity being exposed to the ward?
Put another way, would a vampire of Hindu origins be repelled by crucifix or would it need to be a Hindu emblem?
"Let me be prosaic so far as facts can be; it will help me to bear up, and imagination must not run riot with me. If it does I am lost."
There are some that interpret the philosophy of stoicism as being uncaring and unfeeling. I would argue it is more a philosophy of total self-control and in this case, I think our good friend Jonathan Harker is a prime example of a healthy stoicism. He is starting to suspect the danger he may be in, but he continues to face it with self-control and a dogged determination to do what he must to return to his beloved Miss Mina.
Today's the day! So excited to once again go on this journey with our good friend Jonathan Harker!
Last year, I found myself focusing on how these events that transpired impact the women of the story. This year I want to focus on our good friend and how his actions reflect a healthy approach to masculinity, even taking into account the customs of the day.
I note that, from the start, his concern in note-taking and keeping a diary is so that he can share all of his adventures with Mina, not wanting to keep any secrets.
My favourite Eliot Spencer character trait is Friend-shaped To Children. Nate can't look at children without crying. Sophie is politely baffled at the concept of Humans Who Don't Understand Complicated Psychological Concepts Because They Are Literally 6 Years Old. Hardison has older brother energy, which is to say children are comfortable in his presence but they don't actively seek him out, unless of course to play an epic prank akin to the great tradition of Ring and Ditch or Spell ICUP. Parker will try to protect any child she can, but under-12s without autistic criminal intent don't really connect with her, unless of course they are Traumatized™.
Eliot Spencer is continuously sought out by children of all ages. Traumatized or not? Does not matter. Literally baby or cool teen? Does not matter. They will come up to him while he is glaring daggers or actively planning to murder someone and ask him to hold their hands through the security check at the airport. And you know what? He does. He holds their hand every single time.
I just started watching this show for the first time a few weeks ago and I love everything about this.
Anyone else feel like Drac's final comeuppance is just really anticlimactic? And then Quincey's death is just sort of a "oh, yeah, that happened" event?
The whole team spends months building up to this huge event and then it happens in a moment and it is all over.
