Chapter 1: Jonathan Harker’s Journal

This chapter
Characters 6
Places 4
Jonathan Harker travels through the Carpathian Mountains to reach the castle of Count Dracula, noticing a shift from Western to Eastern culture and encountering deep-seated local superstitions. Despite frantic warnings and protective gifts from the locals in Bistritz, Jonathan proceeds to the Borgo Pass. There, he is picked up by a mysterious, powerful driver who takes him on a terrifying midnight ride surrounded by howling wolves to a dark, ruined castle.

On stage

Jonathan Harker The narrator and protagonist who travels from Munich to the Carpathian Mountains, recording his observations of the culture, people, and the unsettling journey to Dracula's castle.
The Landlady She welcomes Jonathan to the hotel, warns him against traveling to the castle on St. George's Eve, and gives him a crucifix for protection.
The Landlord He receives Jonathan at the hotel and provides him with a letter from the Count, though he remains evasive about the Count's nature.
The Driver He meets Jonathan at the Borgo Pass in a calèche and drives him through a terrifying night journey to the castle, displaying supernatural abilities to control wolves and find blue flames.

Mentioned

Mina Mentioned throughout Jonathan's journal as the person he is writing for and someone he deeply cares about.
Count Dracula The mysterious figure who invited Jonathan to Transylvania; he sends a letter of welcome and a carriage to collect Jonathan at the Borgo Pass.

Settings

Bistritz A post town in Transylvania, described as an interesting old place with marks of a stormy history, including fires and sieges.
Golden Krone Hotel An old-fashioned hotel in Bistritz where Jonathan Harker stays.
Borgo Pass A mountain pass in the Carpathian Mountains leading into Bukovina. It is the meeting point between the public coach and Dracula's private carriage.
Castle Dracula A vast, ruined castle with tall black windows and broken battlements, situated high in the Carpathian Mountains.
Main 2

Jonathan Harker

Also known as: Wilhelmina

An English solicitor who is traveling to Transylvania on business to meet Count Dracula. He is observant, keeps a detailed journal in shorthand, and is a member of the Church of England. He is practical but becomes increasingly uneasy due to the superstitions and strange events he encounters.

Mina fiancée/wife-to-beCount Dracula client/hostThe Landlady guest
Chapter 1

Count Dracula

Also known as: Dracula, D., The Master, The Monster, The Count, Count de Ville, Mr. de Ville

A Transylvanian nobleman who has purchased property in London. He is described as living in a remote castle in the Carpathian Mountains. He appears to have influence over the local people and the elements.

Jonathan Harker host/employerThe Driver master
Chapter 1
Secondary 3

The Landlady

A cheery-looking elderly woman in peasant dress who runs the Golden Krone Hotel in Bistritz. She is deeply superstitious and fearful of the "evil things" that come out on St. George's Eve.

The Landlord wifeJonathan Harker hostess
Chapter 1

The Landlord

The elderly owner of the Golden Krone Hotel in Bistritz. He is reticent and pretends not to understand Jonathan's German when questioned about Count Dracula.

The Landlady husbandJonathan Harker host
Chapter 1

The Driver

A tall man with a long brown beard, a large black hat, and very bright eyes that appear red in the light. He possesses prodigious strength and an imperious command over wolves.

Count Dracula servantJonathan Harker passenger/guide
Chapter 1
Mentioned 1
Mina Mina writes to Lucy about her studies in shorthand and her desire to be a useful wife to Jonathan, while also teasing Lucy about her new suitor.
Main 2

Borgo Pass

A mountain pass in the Carpathian Mountains leading into Bukovina. It is the meeting point between the public coach and Dracula's private carriage.

  • Jonathan is transferred from the public coach to Dracula's calèche amidst a scene of great fear from the other passengers.
  • Mina and Van Helsing travel toward this location to intercept the Count.
  • Van Helsing and Mina arrive here at sunrise.
  • The final battle between the protagonists and the Szgany takes place near here.
Chapter 1

Castle Dracula

A vast, ruined castle with tall black windows and broken battlements, situated high in the Carpathian Mountains.

  • Jonathan arrives here at the end of the chapter after a harrowing night journey.
  • Jonathan arrives at the courtyard and is welcomed by the Count.
  • Jonathan and the Count discuss the purchase of the Carfax estate in the library.
  • Jonathan discovers the Count has no reflection while shaving.
  • Jonathan realizes all exits are locked and he is a prisoner.
  • Jonathan realizes he is a prisoner and explores the locked halls.
  • The Count is seen crawling down the outer walls like a lizard.
  • Jonathan falls asleep in a forbidden room and is attacked by three vampire women.
  • Jonathan discovers he is locked in his room.
  • The Szgany encamp in the courtyard.
  • The Slovaks deliver fifty wooden boxes.
  • A woman is killed by wolves at the castle gate.
  • Van Helsing enters the castle to destroy the three vampire women.
  • Van Helsing seals the castle so the Count can never return.
Chapter 1
Secondary 2

Bistritz

A post town in Transylvania, described as an interesting old place with marks of a stormy history, including fires and sieges.

Golden Krone Hotel

An old-fashioned hotel in Bistritz where Jonathan Harker stays.

Spoiler-Free Reading