Chapter One
Journey to Transylvania
In early 1897, the London lawyer Jonathan Harker traveled from London to Transylvania to meet a client named Count Dracula. Harker worked in real estate; the count wanted to buy some property in London.1 This is Harker’s journal:
1 Harker worked in real estate; the count wanted to buy some property in London.
3 May
Count Dracula told me to stay at the Golden Krone Hotel in Bistritz. This is a scenic town in the shadow of the Carpathian Mountains. As soon as I arrived, the innkeeper’s wife gave me a letter.
It read,
My Friend.
Welcome to the Carpathians. Sleep well tonight. At three tomorrow afternoon, a coach will leave for the town of Bukovina. I have reserved a seat for you. When you get to Borgo Pass, you will meet my driver, who will bring you to me.2
Your friend,
Dracula
2 When you get to Borgo Pass, you will meet my driver, who will bring you to me.
4 May
When I asked the innkeeper about the Count, he acted strangely. Before, he understood my basic German well. But when I asked about Dracula, he told me he didn’t understand. He and his wife gave each other frightened looks.3 Finally, after I kept asking, they told me that they knew nothing. Then they made the sign of the cross.4 This was all very odd.
3 He and his wife gave each other frightened looks.
4 Then they made the sign of the cross.
Just as I had finished packing my suitcase for the trip, the old lady nervously came into my room.
“Young Herr, do you really have to go?” she asked.
I replied I had to go, as it was business.5 She asked me if I really knew where and what I was going to do. Finally, she got on her knees and begged me not to go.6 “What silliness,” I thought. I helped her stand up and told her firmly that it was my business to go, and nothing could interfere with that. She wiped tears from her eyes. Then she took off the crucifix that hung around her neck and put it around my neck.
5 I replied I had to go, as it was business.
6 Finally, she got on her knees and begged me not to go.
“For your mother’s sake,” she said before leaving my room.
I am writing this as I wait for the coach. There are many townspeople around the inn talking about me. I looked up in my dictionary the few words I could catch.7 If I am right, these words are “Ordog,” which means Satan, and “vrolok,” which means something that is either wolf or vampire. These are quaint superstitions.
7 I looked up in my dictionary the few words I could catch.
Here comes the coach now. Better late than never!
Key Words
journey (n): cuộc hành trình
lawyer (n): luật sư, công chứng viên
client (n): khách hàng
real estate (n): bất động sản
property (n): nhà đất (bất động sản)
journal (n): nhật ký
scenic (adj): tuyệt đẹp (cảnh vật)
innkeeper (n): chủ quán trọ, chủ khách sạn
coach (n): xe ngựa bốn bánh
reserve (v): đặt trước
frightened (adj): hoảng sợ
keep + V - ing: vẫn cứ
sign (n): dấu (thánh)
odd (adj): kỳ lạ, khác thường
pack (v): đóng gói
nervously (adv): lo lắng, hớt hải
Herr (= Mr): Ông (tiếng Đức)
beg (v): van nài
(beg - begged - begged)
silliness (n): sự ngớ ngẩn, sự kỳ khôi
firmly (adv): kiên quyết
interfere (v): can thiệp, xen vào
wipe (v): lau (nước mắt)
crucifix (n): cây thánh giá
for one’s sake: vì ai đó
townspeople (n): dân thành phố
satan (n): quỷ Sa Tăng
vampire (n): ma cà rồng, ma hút máu
quaint (adj): kỳ quặc
superstition (n): sự mê tín
5 May
I am at Count Dracula’s castle now. The journey took many hours, and it was a strange one.
We soon left the inn behind and entered a wild and beautiful countryside. Before us lay a green sloping land full of forests and woods, with steep hills to the right and left.8 The afternoon sun brought out all the glorious colors of this beautiful range.
8 Before us lay a green sloping land full of forests and woods, with steep hills to the right and left.
Soon the sun sank low behind us. At dark, the passengers became excited, and it seemed they were urging the driver to go faster. He lashed the horses unmercifully with his long whip to pick up their speed. Then the mountains closed in on either side. We were entering the Borgo Pass.
It was obvious that something very exciting was expected, but though I asked each passenger, no one would give me the slightest explanation.9 I was looking for a driver who would take me to the Count. I expected to see lamps through the blackness, but all was dark. I was thinking about what I was going to do when the driver, looking at his watch, said, “There is no coach waiting for you here. Perhaps the Count does not expect you after all. You should come on to Bukovina and return tomorrow or the next day, or even better, the day after that.”10
9 It was obvious that something very exciting was expected, but though I asked each passenger, no one would give me the slightest explanation.
10 You should come on to Bukovina and return tomorrow or the next day, or even better, the day after that.
Key Words
castle (n): lâu đài
sloping (adj): nghiêng, dốc
steep (adj): dốc đứng
slope (v): nghiêng, dốc
glorious (adj): rực rỡ, tráng lệ
sink (v): lặn
passenger (n): hành khách
urge (v): thúc giục
lash (v): đánh, quất
unmercifully (adv): không thương xót, tới tấp
whip (n): roi da
pick up one’s speed: tăng tốc độ
obvious (adj): rõ ràng
slightest (adj): qua loa nhất, không rõ ràng
explanation (n): lời giải thích
blackness (n): bóng tối, màn đêm
after all: rốt cuộc, cuối cùng
But no sooner had he spoken these words than another coach came up from behind us.11 This caused our horses to become agitated, and my fellow passengers all shouted and made the sign of the cross. Four beautiful horses pulled the new coach alongside our own. The driver was a tall man with a long brown beard. A large black hat hid his face from view, but his eyes seemed to glow red in the light of our lamps.12
11 But no sooner had he spoken these words than another coach came up from behind us.
12 A large black hat hid his face from view, but his eyes seemed to glow red in the light of our lamps.
He said to the driver, “You are early tonight, my friend.”
The man stammered in reply, “The English Herr was in a hurry.”
To which the stranger replied, “That is why, I suppose, you wished him to go on to Bukovina. You cannot deceive me, my friend. I know too much, and my horses are swift.”
As he spoke, he smiled, and the lamplight revealed a hard mouth, with very red lips and sharp-looking teeth, as white as ivory.13 “Give me the Herr’s luggage,” he said, and my bags were quickly handed out and put in the other coach.
13 As he spoke, he smiled, and the lamplight revealed a hard mouth, with very red lips and sharp-looking teeth, as white as ivory.
As I changed coaches, my new driver leapt down and helped me in. He held my arm in a grip of steel. Then he leapt up to his seat, shook his reins, and we lurched forward, hurtling through the night.
What excuse did Jonathan’s driver give for being so early?
a. He said his passengers were all in a hurry.
b. He said Jonathan wanted to get there early.
c. He said his horses were young and fresh.
Key Words
agitate (v): làm hoảng sợ
alongside (adv): sát cạnh, kế bên
beard (n): râu
view (n): tầm mắt, tầm nhìn
glow (v): rực sáng
stammer (v): nói lắp
suppose (v): cho là, nghĩ là
deceive (v): đánh lừa
swift (adj): nhanh (chạy)
reveal (v): để lộ
hand out: chuyển sang
leap (v): nhảy
(leap - leapt - leapt)
grip (n): sự nắm chặt, sự bóp chặt
rein (n): dây cương
lurch (v): lắc lư, lảo đảo
hurtle (v): băng nhanh
This is where my journey became even stranger. At first, I thought we were going around in a circle. I fixed my eyes on the top of a mountain where it met the sky, and realized that we were indeed making a large circle around the pass.14 By this time, we were near the far side of the pass.
14 I fixed my eyes on the top of a mountain where it met the sky, and realized that we were indeed making a large circle around the pass.
I do not recall falling asleep, but I must have. It seemed like we traveled a long way before the coach suddenly stopped. I snapped to my senses and saw that we were in the courtyard of an ancient, crumbling castle, and were before a huge wooden door.
The driver was already on the ground with my luggage. He helped me out with the same iron grip as before. Then he jumped up without a word, shook the reins, turned the coach around and disappeared.
As I stood there alone wondering what to do, many questions filled my head.15 What sort of place had I come to? What sort of grim adventure was I on?
15 As I stood there alone wondering what to do, many questions filled my head.
These questions were interrupted by the sound of the great door opening. There stood an old man, clean shaven except for a long mustache, dressed all in black and holding a lamp.16 There was not a drop of color anywhere about him, even in his pale, white face. He motioned to me very formally with his right hand. His English was excellent, but he spoke with a strange intonation.
16 There stood an old man, clean shaven except for a long mustache, dressed all in black and holding a lamp.
Which is not true about the Count’s appearance?
a. He looks very tall and muscular.
b. His clothes are completely black.
c. He is very formal and speaks English well.
Key Words
fix one’s eyes : nhướn mắt, hướng tầm nhìn về
recall (v): nhớ lại
snap (v): giật mình
(snap - snapped - snapped)
senses (n): ý thức
courtyard (n): sân nhỏ
crumble (v): đổ nát
iron (adj): bằng sắt
grim (adj): ma quái, bí ẩn
interrupt (v): cắt ngang
clean shaven (adj): nhẵn nhụi (râu)
mustache (n): ria dài, râu mép
drop (n): chấm, điểm
motion (v): ra hiệu
formally (adv): trịnh trọng, lịch sự
intonation (n): giọng, ngữ điệu
“Welcome to my house! Enter freely and of your own free will!”
The instant that I had stepped over the threshold, he grasped my hand with his, which felt more dead than alive.17 However, it possessed the same unnatural strength as that of the driver. I was so surprised that for a minute, I thought that he was the driver. To make sure, I suddenly said, “Count Dracula?”
17 The instant that I had stepped over the threshold, he grasped my hand with his, which felt more dead than alive.
He bowed formally as he replied, “I am Dracula, and I bid you welcome, Mr. Harker, to my house. Come in. You must need to eat and rest.”
He carried my bags along the passage, saying it was late, so no servants were available.18 We went up a great winding stair and along a great passage. At the end of this, he threw open a heavy door, and I rejoiced to see within a well-lit dining room. In the large fireplace, a bright, hot fire flared.
18 He carried my bags along the passage, saying it was late, so no servants were available.
The Count opened another door, which led into a great bedroom warmed with another log fire.19 The Count left my luggage inside and said, “When you are ready, you will find your supper prepared in the dining room.”
19 The Count opened another door, which led into a great bedroom warmed with another log fire.
Answer the question.
What did the Count’s strength make Jonathan think?
______________________________
Key Words
will (n): ý muốn
threshold (n): ngưỡng cửa
possess (v): có, sở hữu
bow (v): cúi đầu
bid (v): chào mừng
(bid - bade - bidden)
winding (adj): xoắn ốc
passage (n): hành lang
available (adj): có mặt
rejoice (v): vui mừng
well - lit (adj): được thắp sáng
flare (v): cháy bùng lên
log (n): củi
All my doubts and fears vanished. I realized that I was starving. After washing up quickly, I went to eat. My host made a graceful wave to the table, and said, “Please enjoy your dinner. Excuse the fact that I have already eaten.”20
20 Excuse the fact that I have already eaten.
After dinner, we sat together by the fire. I studied him closely, for he had many strange features. His face was strong and long, and he had a high, thin nose. His forehead was high and domed, and his thick white hair was tightly pulled back.21 The Count’s eyebrows were very thick and almost met in the middle. His mouth looked cruel, even when he smiled. I could see two of his white teeth, which protruded out over his surprisingly red lips. The teeth were strangely pointed. In contrast to his lips, the rest of his face was quite white. His fingers were short and broad, and they had long pointed fingernails. When he leaned close to me, I could smell a sort of decay on this breath. This nauseated me, and the Count drew back after seeing my reaction.22
22 His forehead was high and domed, and his thick white hair was tightly pulled back.
23 This nauseated me, and the Count drew back after seeing my reaction.
“You must be tired,” he said. “Your bedroom is all ready, and tomorrow you may sleep as late as you want. I have to be away till the afternoon, so sleep well, and dream well!”
Based on the story, write down “T” if true or “F” if false.
a. The Count’s teeth were yellow and chipped. ____
b. The Count’s breath smelled rotten.____
c. Jonathan and the Count had a big dinner together.____
Key Words
doubt (n): sự nghi ngờ
vanish (v): tan biến, biến mất
starve (v): cảm thấy rất đói
host (n): chủ nhà
excuse (v): thứ lỗi
study (v): quan sát
feature (n): nét mặt
domed (adj): gồ (trán)
eyebrow (n): lông mày
cruel (adj): dữ tợn
protrude (v): nhô ra, chìa ra
broad (adj): rộng
pointed (adj): nhọn
in contrast to : tương phản với
lean (v): nghiêng, ngả người
decay (n): mùi hôi thối
nauseate (v): làm buồn nôn
reaction (n): phản ứng
7 May
After my late breakfast the next day, I met the Count in the library. There were many English books there. I asked if I could visit the library whenever I wanted.
He answered, “Certainly.” And he added, “You may go anywhere in the castle, except where the doors are locked.23 We are in Transylvania, and Transylvania is not England. Our ways are not your ways, and you may find many things strange here.”
23 You may go anywhere in the castle, except where the doors are locked.
This led to much conversation. Finally, our conversation turned to our business.
“Come,” he said, “tell me of London and the house you have prepared for me.”
I produced the real estate papers for a large estate named Carfax.
The Count had sent a description of what he desired, and Carfax was a good match. It was an old house that had been built in the Middle Ages and had been added to since.24 One part of it looked like a small castle, with thick walls and heavy doors. I had him sign the necessary papers and then put them in an envelope with a letter I wrote to my boss.
24 It was an old house that had been built in the Middle Ages and had been added to since.
When I had finished, he said, “I am glad that it is old and big. My family is old, and to live in a new house would kill me. An old house has many dark, hidden places, and I love the shadows.”
We talked some more, mostly about England. Suddenly, the Count jumped to his feet and said, “Why, it is morning already! It’s terrible of me to make you stay up so long. You must make your conversation less interesting so that I may not forget how time flies.”25 With a courtly bow, he quickly left me.
25 You must make your conversation less interesting so that I may not forget how time flies.
Key Words
ask if : không biết liệu rằng
produce (v): trình, đưa ra
description (n): bản mô tả
match (n): sự phù hợp
Middle Ages (n): thời Trung cổ
envelope (n): phong thư
hidden (adj): che khuất
jump to one’s feet : đứng bật dậy
110_Copy110.pngstay up (v): thức
courtly (adv): lịch sự, nhã nhặn
Understanding the Story
Dracula is a vampire based on a real person. Let’s talk about that person who lived in the 15th century.
Vlad becomes Count Dracula
Bram Stoker made Dracula famous the world over, but not many people have heard of Vlad Tepes. This 15th century prince was Stoker’s inspiration for the evil Count Dracula. Vlad Tepes was a prince of Wallachia, a Romanian land near Transylvania. He not lead a very happy life. He was kidnapped by the Turks and held hostage for many years. While he was in Istanbul, he got news that his father and older brother were killed by the nobles of a neighboring region. When he was 17 years old, he led a force of Turks to retake the throne of Wallachia for himself. After he was successful, he got his terrible revenge on the nobles who had killed his father and brother.
He impaled the old ones on long, sharp sticks. He then made the younger nobles and their families march to another town and build a castle there. The work was hard and many died, but at last, they built Castle Dracula. During his rule, Vlad killed thousands of his enemies by impaling them on sticks. This is how he earned the nickname “Vlad the Impaler”. It is also probably where Stoker got the idea that the only way to kill Dracula was to impale his heart with a wooden stake.
inspiration (n): nguồn cảm hứng
evil (adj): xấu xa, độc ác
kidnap (v): bắt cóc
hostage (n): con tin
noble (n): người quý tộc
retake (v): giành lại
throne (n): ngai vàng
revenge (n): sự trả thù
impale (v): đóng cọc xuyên qua người
impaler (n): kẻ hút máu người
castle (n): lâu đài
stake (n): cây cọc