This passage from Dracula portrays the setting of the castle as a place of both beauty and danger. The description of the setting in this passage serves to create a sense of both wonder and danger, something that I feel is fairly typical in Gothic literature. At first, the speaker is fascinated by the beauty of the view from the castle. However, this beauty is quickly surpassed by the description of the precipice, which is insanely high up in the sky. This juxtaposition of beauty and danger serves to create a sense of unease and tension in the reader.
The sense of isolation and danger is further emphasized by the mention of the deep rifts and gorges in the surrounding forests, which suggests that the castle is situated in a remote location.
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This focus on confinement is reflected in the use of repetitive language, which underscores the feeling of being trapped. The use of the phrase "doors, doors, doors" highlights both the abundance of doors and the sense of claustrophobia the protagonist feels.
The phrase "locked and bolted" adds to the sense of hopelessness because it adds to the idea that there is no escape from the castle. The protagonist is completely trapped, with no escape route available. This adds to the suspense and sense of danger that permeates the novel. The reader is trying to figure out how the protagonist can possibly escape the castle and the clutches of Dracula.
The metaphor "veritable prison" is a powerful literary device that conveys both the protagonist's emotional state and the atmosphere of the castle. The word "veritable" means that the thing being named, in this case prison, is not imaginary. This implies that the protagonist's situation is not just similar to being in prison, but is actually like being in a real prison. This metaphor emphasizes the feeling of confinement and the lack of control that the protagonist has over his situation. It also suggests that the protagonist is not just physically trapped, but also mentally trapped in the castle, as he is constantly aware of the danger and uncertainty that surrounds