This episode deals with the accepted copy of Bram Stoker's 1897 horror classic - Dracula. The book is rather lengthy, so George talks about the main characters and the unique epistolary style (a style that uses letters, journals, newspaper articles, etc. instead of a narrative to tell the story.) George reads some of those entries (associating them with specific characters.) Especially interesting (and hot!) is an entry about three ladies (?) trying to make love to the leading man.
What is an epistolary style?
Why is it suited for mystery and suspense?
What does an epistolary style add to Dracula?
Why do the women come across as “mousy” in Dracula at first?
Who is the “leading man” in Dracula? (Hint - it is not the vampire.)
How can Renfield call thousands of rats?
How long is Stoker’s Dracula?
How does Stoker write a scene involving Harker and three “ladies” that comes across as “Victorian porn?”
00:00 Introduction
04:45 What is epistolary style?
06:43 Some examples of epistolary literature
08:35 Rationale for character and entry divisions in episode
10:43 Jonathan Harker and journey to meet Dracula
16:30 Children of the night
17:40 Three seductive women?
26:22 Mina, Lucy, and innocence
29:40 Arthur Holmwood
30:42 Dr. John Seward’s entries on Renfield
35:12 Dr. Helsing
37:47 Rats, rats, rats!
40:13 Future episodes
41:03 Sources
42:01 Outro
Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.
