An epistolary novel

The epistolary nature of the novel fully develops as we are introduced to letters between Mina and lucy, Dr.Seward's Journal and a letter from Quincey P. Morris to Arthur Holmwood. Mina is a woman of the new century as she is an employed, educated woman. She is engaged to JH which explains much of his references to her from earlier. Her friend Lucy is a typical gothic heroine, fair and beautiful but also sickly as Mina writes 'she has got a beautiful colour since she has been here.' and subject to sleepwalking.
Interest in the contemporary modern technology such as stenographs and typewriters are suggested. Mina wishes to be able to write in shorthand and also type Jonthan's journal on a typewriter when he is back. There is a lot of talk about tombstones in the Whitby dialect which makes the bulky talk harder to understand. The only thing I found out was that not all the graves had corpses in them and the tomstones stated a lot of untrue things.
Dr. Seward's diary is kept in phonograph (modern technology) and a mental patient enters the story, a very interesting character that keeps insects as pets and eats them up when asked to get rid of them. This really is not intended for a pleasing image at all but manages to bring in the gothic effect.
Mina is very curious about Jonathan not posting any letter and suspects that something is wrong. When the letter does come she truly guesses that it is not Jonathan who has written the letter(technically). The sequel is well planned to keep the readers anticipating for news of Jonathan but it does frustrate you a lot.

The hero finally makes a move.

JH now nearly attacked by vampire women, escaping very closely from Dracula's dramatic arrival is removed of all his possessions except for his journal. If the journal were to be taken away as well that would not allow anything to happen in the story so I guess that's the intention there. The manipulation and seizure of power is clearly established when JH is forced to write letters stating his well being, departure and arrival. Frustration also seeps in when we discover that the letter he sent to Mina has been handed to Dracula.
Hypnotism comes in when Jonathan is in the tower looking towards the sky and he is aware of it. It reflects upon peole's interest in such things at that time. There is a grotesque suggestion of a child being devoured by Dracula and it only gets more horrible when the mother is eaten by a pack of wolves.
Dracula is finally discovered in his coffin, his lips red from sucking blood. The imagery here fits into everything that is typically gothic. The pale skin, red lips, bloodlust. We are given a little sense of relief when Dracula tells Jonathan he will be free to go the coming day. But what do we find? The Szgany and Slovaks arrive and he is trapped inside by a supernatural force.