Blog Post 8
Information about Podcast #1
MLA Citation of podcast # 1: Kendall, Bridget. “Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” The Forum, 16 September 2017, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3csv0rt
Summary of podcast: This podcast acts as a general discussion regarding Dracula. They discuss the literary importance of the novel, examine certain sequences, analyse the characters, delve into the inspiration for the story, and explore Bram Stoker and his origins. They also discuss the many screen and stage adaptations of Dracula in regards to its cultural relevance and the influence on modern vampires.
Will you apply & adapt elements of the content and form to your own podcast? Explain in detail: Yes, I would like to apply some of the interpretations of Dracula, especially the one regarding Dracula as an invading foreign power. I also want to explore Bram Stoker’s origin more, and try to see what events happened in his life that might have inspired him to write this novel.
Argument(s) made in podcast: Some of the arguments that I enjoyed include how the unsettling nature of Dracula is due to the “unknowable” sense he gives off from the supernatural abilities he possesses, and also from his abnormal appearance. Dacre Stoker, a guest in the podcast, talked about how “the fact that he’s not an obvious, evil threat, but when the characters realise who he is, and how dangerous he is, he becomes a serious threat, and it’s almost too late” which I find really interesting and I think plays into the idea of staying hidden which I previously talked about. “The idea of Dracula as a threatening outsider. A foreigner arriving in Britain to extend his powers and influence” is also an argument I find interesting, especially in the context of Britain, but also in the context of Ireland.
How do you situate your own topic and stance in relation to this podcast?: My own interpretation of the story is quite similar to some of the arguments made in this podcast. For example, the “unknowable” nature of Dracula is similar to my exploration into how his supernatural abilities play into his ability to stay hidden. I would also like to take some of these arguments and try to relate them more to my topic of power and knowledge, especially in regards to the relations between Ireland and Britain brought up in the podcast.
Most interesting contributions to topic: I found the different interpretations of the book and of Dracula himself by the guests of the podcast to be interesting and enlightening. I particularly enjoyed their takes as to what makes Dracula such an unsettling figure, and hearing about their theories as to what Dracula as a character represents.
How will you apply these exciting contributions to your own podcast? Does it give you interesting ideas of your own?: It helped broaden my perspective in terms of interpretations of the story. It also provided more historical context that I can use to work into my research.
New information (what did you learn?): I learned more about Stoker’s origins, being born in Ireland and what his inspirations for the character of Dracula might have come from.
How will you engage with this new information? In what ways does it come into your project?: I’m going to look into the relations between Ireland and the whole of Britain at the time to see if that had inspired Stoker to write this story.
Information about Podcast #2
MLA Citation of podcast # 2: Laffan, Michael. “Lecture 1 — The Home Rule Party.” The Irish Revolution, 13 February 2012, http://historyhub.ie/the-home-rule-party-the-irish-revolution-lecture-1
Summary of podcast: This podcast explores the Irish Home Rule Party from the mid-1880’s to the 1910’s. The Home Rule Party was the dominant force in Ireland at the time. It provided a role model to the conservatives and liberals. It was ruled with discipline, before it split in the 1890’s. In 1885, the liberals, led by William Gladstone, committed themselves to Home Rule. When the liberals were in power, the Home Rule party was happy as the liberals was in support of their cause.
Will you apply & adapt elements of the content and form to your own podcast? Explain in detail: Yes, I will apply and adapt the elements of this podcast. I want to look more at what Bram Stoker’s political views might have been and whether or not he supported Home Rule.
Argument(s) made in podcast: As this is an educational podcast, there is no real argument, just a recounting of facts and events. Some of the things I find interesting are the opposition to the proposition of Home Rule, and the ultimate rejections of the Home Rule Bills by the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
How do you situate your own topic and stance in relation to this podcast?: My own topic works with this podcast in the sense that I want to understand more about the politics at the time to see what Stoker might have been advocating for through the relations between power and knowledge which can be seen in the novel.
Most interesting contributions to topic: I am mainly using this podcast for historical context, to try to see what issues the story of Dracula might be criticising in real life. I find the idea that the Home Rule Bills not being approved by the British government to be the most interesting contribution.
How will you apply these exciting contributions to your own podcast? Does it give you interesting ideas of your own?: It does give me interesting ideas of my own. Through learning about how the House of Commons and House of Lords rejected the proposed Home Rule Bill, I started to think of Dracula as a possible criticism of Lords and of authority figures, as he himself is a Count.
New information (what did you learn?): The entirety of the Home Rule Party is new information to me. Not only that, but also general issues with Irish politics at the time, such as how women were excluded from voting and from running for positions in politics.
How will you engage with this new information? In what ways does it come into your project?: As I mentioned above, I want to look into this era in politics to see what Stoker might have been thinking about when introducing the idea of power-knowledge dynamics in the novel.
