Dracula Studyguide

      In my Literature Class, we are reading the marvelous works of Bram Stoker. Though I thoroughly enjoy the novel, Dracula, and am highly engrossed by the characters and suspenseful plot, I have to admit to hating the Chapter Questions that come with every chapter.

      As well as finding them time consuming, I don't understand their purpose. They don't provide any incentive for students to actually read, especially considering websites such as SparkNotes exist, and are a burden to those who have read and understand what's going on. After being stumped on a particularly annoying question, I succumbed and Googled the question. What I found were countless identical study guides that lacked answers. Deciding to make it that much easier to everyone, I am going to be posting my answers to these questions. Go forth you little cheaters and have a grand party. 

*Do Note: I'm not in any way responsible for having correct answers.

Chapters 1-2:

1.     What is the setting of the first part of Dracula?  What direction is Jonathan Harker traveling?  What is Harker’s destination?

Jonathan Harker is traveling from England towards where Transylvania, Moldavia and Bukovina meet. At first, he is traveling through the picturesque Eastern European countryside.

2.     How does the old woman who lives at the Golden Krone Hotel try to prevent Jonathan from continuing his journey?  How does he respond to her warnings? What does she give to him to protect him from evil?

The woman tries to prevent him from traveling by reminding Harker that it is the eve of St. George’s Day, when “all the evil things in the world will have full sway.” She then gives him a crucifix and puts it around his neck. Though he doesn’t believe that anything dangerous will happen, Harker politely accepts the crucifix.

                                                                                                 

3.     Originally published in 1897, Dracula reflects the traditions and customs of people living in that era.  Some historians characterize English people in this time period as having a strong tradition of keeping detailed journals and writing descriptive letters.  Find a passage in this chapter that illustrates the level of detail the reader can expect from the journal entries in this novel.

Pg. 4 “At every station there were groups of people, sometimes crowds, in all sorts of attire. Some of them were just like the peasants at home or those I saw coming through France and Germany, with short jackets, and round hats, and homemade trousers; but others were very picturesque. The women looked pretty, except when you got near them, but they were very clumsy about the waist. They had all full white sleeves of some kind or other, and most of them had big belts with a lot of strips of something fluttering from them like the dresses in a ballet, but of course there were petticoats under them.”

4.     Science and technology were increasingly important to England at the turn of the 20^th century.  Scientific, logical reasoning was prized and valued by the people of the time.  What evidence is there that the people in Transylvania are superstitious and do not share Harker’s scientific thought process?

Unlike Harker, who is skeptical and believes in logic, the townspeople in Transylvania are superstitious. They give him a crucifix and whisper about him and mutter, “were-wolf” or “vampire” when they learn where he’s traveling. They also give him small tokens and make a cross sign to protect him from the “evil eye.”

5.     Briefly describe the Count’s coachman.  What can the reader infer about the coachman from his physical description and from the conversation with the diligence driver?

The coachman is tall with a dark brown beard. He wears a large hat to conceal his face. His eyes are red under the lamplight. He has very red lips and white teeth. He has great hearing. When riding, Harker notices that they’re repeating themselves. There are blue flames on the pathway, and Harker can see them through the coachman. The coachman also gets rid of the wolves. The reader can infer that the coachman is probably a vampire

6.     One technique a writer uses to add interest and suspense to a story is for the reader to understand more about the situation than the character.  The literary term for this is dramatic irony.  For example, Harker blames his bad dreams on the food, but the reader can infer that Jonathan’s dreams foreshadow ominous events to come, as the reader understands that the coachman and Count Dracula are the same person and that the Count is evil.  List another instance of dramatic irony and explain why this instance constitutes dramatic irony.

Because I knew the typical characteristics of a vampire, I, being part of the audience, recognized that Dracula was indeed a vampire. This is given away by the description of both the coachman and Dracula (sharp teeth, red eyes, feared by wolves, not eating and not being seen in mirrors). Harker, not believing in the supernatural, doesn’t know that Dracula is a vampire. When he gets locked in his room, I fear for Harker since I know that Dracula is a vampire and bloodthirsty.

7.     What clues does Jonathan have that the Count and the coachman are possibly the same person?

When he shakes his hand, the Count shows immense strength, which the Coachman shared. He doesn’t see any other servants in the building. Both have red lips, white sharp teeth and are tall.

8.     Why does the Count want to have long conversations with Jonathan?  What does the Count hope for Harker to teach him?

The Count wants to move to London, but wants to properly speak the language before moving.

9.     What is Harker’s occupation, and what is his purpose for coming to Transylvania?

Harker is a solicitor and he came to Transylvania to help Count Dracula legally move to London and have a proper house.

10.  What does the Count like about Carfax?  Other than Carfax, where does the Count plan to have homes in England?

The Count likes Carfax, because it’s big, old and fairly isolated. The Count also wants homes in Exeter and Whitby (Yorkshire Coast).

11.  Jonathan notes in his journal that the Count never eats.  What other peculiarities does Harker observe about the Count?

There are no mirrors in the house. When Harker shaves, the Count interrupts him and Harker cuts himself. The Count lunges for his throat and can’t be seen in the mirror.

12.  What surprises Harker when he tries to explore the outdoor grounds of Castle Dracula?  Why does he believe that the “castle is a veritable prison”?

He finds that the doors are locked, and realizes that Count Dracula did this so Harker cannot find a way out of the castle. 

Chapter 3-4

1.     Harker decides to spy on Dracula.  What does he learn?

He learns that Count Dracula was making his bed and setting the table for dinner. This leads him to believe that there are no servants or other people in the house. Also, the coachman was confirmed to be Dracula.

2.     What weapons did the good people at Bistritz give to Harker to help protect him from the Count?

They gave him religious symbols to save him (crucifix, garlic, wild rose, and mountain ash).

3.     Harker records a portion of Dracula’s tale about Transylvania’s history in his journal.  As Dracula speaks, Harker studies him.  What is revealed about Dracula while he talks?  Who do we find out is Dracula’s famous ancestor?

Dracula talks as though he was there during the battles and wars with the Turks his ancestors fought.  Dracula claims he is a descendent of Attila the Hun.

4.     Dracula wants Harker to stay at Castle Dracula for a month.  Why does Harker agree to this request?  Dracula also orders Harker to write only about business matters in his letters, implying that he plans to read the letters before mailing them.  How does Harker defy Dracula’s orders?

Harker agrees to stay, because he realized that he had no other options and it would give him a month longer to live. Harker writes the letters Dracula wants, as well as two others meant for Mina and Hawkins.

5.     Harker writes:

“What manner of man is this, or what manner of creature, is it in the semblance of man?  I feel the dread of this horrible place overpowering me; I am in fear—in awful fear—and there is no escape for me; I am encompassed about with terrors that I dare not think of…

What does Harker observe about Dracula’s behavior that finally convinces him that Dracula is a “creature” rather than a man?

He sees that Dracula crawling like a lizard down the castle walls and spreading his wings.

6.     Why does Harker write in his journal, “I know now the span of my life.  God help me!”?

Dracula tells Jonathan when to date his letters, and they stop at June 12^th.

7.     What happens to the letters Harker pays the gypsies to mail?  Why does Dracula remove all of Harker’s letters and papers while Harker is asleep?

Jonathan tries to send the letters home by giving them to a Szgany, but the man just gives it to Dracula. Dracula opens them in front of Jonathan and reads them. He says he will deliver the one to Peter, but burns the letter to Mina. Dracula removes the letters and papers in Harker’s room, because he doesn’t want to risk Harker getting help to escape or ruining his trip to London.

8.     What is the implied source of the treasures Harker finds in the Count’s room?

The conquests that Dracula won with his family during Battles with the Turks and other ethnic groups. Since the money is so old, it implies that Dracula has been alive for centuries.

9.   Some critics believe that in some ways the character of Count Dracula is an evil parallel to Christian beliefs.  For example, as a vampire, Count Dracula drinks blood.  Central to some Christian beliefs is the Eucharist, when bread and wine are consecrated and distributed as the body and blood of Jesus.  In what other ways might the character of Count Dracula parallel Christian beliefs?

Dracula sleeps in a ruined chapel, which is a place where many Christians prey. He, like Jesus, died and was resurrected (Jesus came back to try and save lives and Dracula came back to take lives and drink their blood).

Chapters 7-8

1.     In this chapter the reader learns more about Dracula’s powers.  What three powers, not previously mentioned, does Dracula use to destroy the crew of the Demeter?

Dracula can vanish into thin air, he can conjure fog, and he is immune to knife stabs.

2.     The following excerpt from this chapter describes Mr. Swales’ dead body:

…old Mr. Swales was found dead this morning on our seat, his neck being broken.  He had evidently, as the doctor said, fallen back in the seat in some sort of fright, for there was a look of fear and horror on his face that the men said made them shudder.  Poor dear old man!  Perhaps he had seen Death with his dying eyes!

What does this passage imply about the cause of Mr. Swales’ death?

Mr. Swales probably saw Dracula do something evil, and being nearly 100 and skeptical, died of fright.

3.     In her journal, Mina records her observations of Lucy’s behavior.  List two observations Mina makes which suggest to the reader that Lucy is in some way connected to Dracula.

Lucy starts sleepwalking horribly and becomes paler and less lively. She also gets upset when seeing the dog growling during the funeral, which may be her denying to herself the memory of Dracula (who can transform into a dog).

4.     The settings for this story help to advance the story’s plot and themes.  For example, Dracula’s new home in England is next door to an insane asylum.  This proximity helps Stoker advance the theme of madness in this novel.  Why do you suppose the incident with Dracula and Lucy takes place on Lucy and Mina’s seat near the graveyard?

It may take place near the graveyard, because graveyards are a resting place of Christians to stay pure and venture into heaven. Since Dracula is a bit like the FOIL of Christ, then it makes sense that Lucy’s darker encounters and corruption happens close to a holy place.

5.     Why do you think Stoker includes the letter from Samuel E. Billington & Son in this chapter?

I think it’s to confirm that Dracula is moving in on England. He was looking at the mansion in Carfax with Harker and is known to sleep in boxes filled with Transylvanian dirt.

6.     What new information does Mina receive regarding Jonathan Harker?

Harker is in a hospital with brain fever and is now being taken care of in Budapest.

7.     What evidence is there in this chapter that Renfield is connected to Dracula?

Renfield starts muttering cryptic things about “Master” and following his wishes. He then escapes to a chapel and begs for “Master”.

8.     Gothic fiction is characterized as having a picturesque setting, dealing with the supernatural in some way, exploring the conflict between good and evil, and (usually) involving the corruption of lower-class females by aristocratic males.  Cite incidents from the story that support the four criteria for Gothic fiction.

Picturesque Setting: The setting in England is a quaint town filled with friendly people, who are rational and innovative thinkers. When Dracula comes to the town, he actually brings a storm and fog, which may represent evil coming in.

Supernatural: It’s clear by now that Dracula is a vampire, who can shape shift, is immortal, and can lure people to follow him.

Good vs. Evil: As well as pitting Dracula, the epitome of evil, against a group of fairly one-dimensional good men, Dr. Seward struggles with inner dilemmas (addiction, curiosity vs. cruelness).

Lower Class Females vs Aristocratic Men: Lucy, being the more flirtatious and desired of the two, is fairly quickly seduced by Dracula, an aristocrat vampire. She begins to sleepwalk and let him feed on her, which may represent her purity being ruined. She also describes the occurrences to be pleasant and becomes happy after being drained.

Chapters 9-10:

1.     Why does Jonathan give Mina his journal?  What does Mina plan to do with the journal?

Jonathan gives Mina his journal, because he believes that marriage is a bond between two people, which includes secrets. Mina ends up sealing the diary with wax and will only open it for Jonathan or someone else’s sake.

2.     Jonathan is worried about the return of his brain fever.  Which theme of this story does this incident support?

It supports the theme of self-madness. Jonathan starts muttering nonsense and doesn’t remember his affairs in Transylvania. I predict that this brain-fever will probably make Jonathan doubt himself more and will be confronted when he reencounters Dracula.

3.     Where does Renfield go when he escapes?

He goes to a chapel in Carfax. Considering that it’s a chapel and Renfield becomes clam at a sight of a bat, I’m guessing that he’s escaping to find Dracula.

4.     Why does Dr. Seward send for Professor Van Helsing of Amsterdam?  What conclusions does Professor Van Helsing make concerning Lucy’s condition?

Holmwood asks Dr. Seward to look after the ill Lucy. Not finding any cause to her weak state, he writes his old mentor, Professor Van Helsing.  Initially, the Professor cannot determine the cause, though he is troubled by the effects and tells Dr. Seward to write him daily.

5.     Why is Arthur separated from Lucy during her illness?  For what reason must Lucy hide her illness from her mother?

Aurthur is tending to his deathly-sick father. Lucy must hide her illness from her mother, because her mother is elderly, sick and also dying (though Lucy doesn’t know).

6.     Dr. Seward uses his powers of observation to try and diagnose Renfield.  What conclusion does he draw about the effect of the sun on Renfield?  In what sense is this conclusion an example of dramatic irony?

At noon, Renfield goes back to being fairly docile and catching/eating flies and spiders. At sunset, he throws all his sugar and flies away, saying that he’s “sick of all that rubbish.” Dr. Seward concludes that the sun’s positions may have something to do with this odd behavior. This is dramatic irony, since readers know Dracula is most weak during the daytime, but becomes powerful when night falls. It may mean that Renfield is under Dracula’s control, and when Dracula is the weakest, he goes back to being a zoophagus.

7.     One of the themes in this book is that the scientific, logical methods of the West are insufficient to recognize the nature of supernatural evil.  Man must combine both the folklore and superstitions of the East with the logic of the West to fight Dracula.  What evidence is there in this chapter that Van Helsing suspects Lucy is the victim of a vampire?  In what ways does he employ both the logic of science and the knowledge of folklore to try to save her?

He uses both science and traditional superstitions to try and ward off Dracula. To try and keep Lucy alive, Van Helsing does two blood transfusions, which was a pretty modern medical procedure of the time. Once Van Helsing predicts that the cause is a vampire, he prevents Dracula from attacking Lucy by spreading garlic all throughout her room and making her wear a garlic necklace. 

8.     Van Helsing is an important character in the story.  Through him, Stoker makes observations about life.  For example, Van Helsing is cautioning Seward to take careful notes because “…knowledge is stronger than memory, and we should not trust the weaker.”  Fine one additional example of Van Helsing’s observations or generalizations about life.

On page 145, when he suggests that Seward take good notes, Van Helsing says, “We learn from failure, not success!” This message can be applied to many situations and is famous enough to be used on inspirational posters today (because that is obviously the standard for famous quotes).

9.     What is the meaning of the following metaphor from Chapter X?

My friend John, when the corn is grown, even before it has ripened—while the milk of its mother-earth is in him, and the sunshine has not yet begun to paint him with his gold, the husbandman he pull the ear and rub him between his rough hands, and blow away the green chaff, and say to you: ‘Look! he’s good corn; he will make good crop when the time comes’…The good husbandman tell you so then because he knows, but not till then.  But you do not find the good husbandman dig up his planted corn to see if he grow; that is for the children who play at husbandry, and not for those who take it as the work of their life.  See you now friend John?  I have sown my corn, and Nature has her work to do in making it sprout; if he sprout at all, there’s some promise, and I wait till the ear begins to swell.

The corn represents Van Helsing’s hypothesis that Lucy is being attacked by a vampire. Since this is a fairly unheard of idea, Helsing wants to wait to tell people until he’s sure that he’s correct by preforming experiments (placing garlic around the room). He’s reassuring Seward that he needs to let nature sort itself out and then tell.

Chapter 13-14

1.     What does Professor Van Helsing want to do to Lucy’s body after the funeral?  Why does he decide to postpone the procedure?

Van Helsing wants to take out Lucy’s heart and cut off her head. After finding out that someone stole the crucifix from Lucy’s body, Van Helsing decides that he and Seward must wait a bit longer.

2.     For what reasons do you think that Professor Van Helsing asks for Lord Godalming’s (i.e., Arthur’s) permission to read Lucy’s letters and papers?

He wants the papers, because they may tell him the cause of Lucy’s death or at least confirm his suspicions.

3.     How does Jonathan react when he thinks he sees the Count in the park?

After seeing the Count in the park, Jonathan becomes visibly unstable and shaken. He then goes into a deep sleep and afterwards remembers nothing.

4.     What is the nature of the Hampstead Mystery reported in “The Westminster Gazette”?  What can the reader infer about Lucy from this mystery?

In The Westminster Gazette, there is a report of several children abductions. When the children return, they say that it was a pretty woman who took them and have two marks on their necks. Being a reader, I know that Van Helsing was right, and Lucy has become a vampire.

5.     Mina is disturbed by Jonathan’s reaction when he sees Dracula.  List 3 actions she takes in this chapter to try and help Jonathan.

After seeing Jonathan’s reaction when he sees Dracula, she decides to read his journal from Transylvania. She then transcribes the journal in both shorthand and regular so others can read his journal. Lastly, she gets help for Jonathan from Van Helsing, who eventually restores Jonathan’s memories.

6.     Professor Van Helsing and Dr. Seward have a conversation about the puncture wounds on the necks of the lost children.  Dr. Seward concludes that the children are being attacked by the same attacker as Lucy, but Van Helsing tries to get Dr. Seward to see another possibility.  What flaw in modern science does Professor Van Helsing point out to Dr. Seward in this conversation?  Find a quote that shows Van Helsing’s point.  Identify the literary term used in the quotation.  What thesis is the professor trying to get Dr. Seward to believe in?

Van Helsing goes on a rant about the flaw in modern science—people are closing off their minds, because they figure out a small fact and don’t look for the big truth.  “Can you tell me how the Indian fakir can make himself to die and have been buried, and his grave sealed and corn sowed on it, and the corn reaped and the cut and sown and reaped and sown again, and then the men come and take away the unbroken seal, and that there lie the Indian fakir, not dead, but that rise up and walk amongst them as before?” In this quote, Van Helsing uses an allegory to try and show Seward that Lucy isn’t dead and is feeding on these children.

Chapter 15-16

1.     Find two passages on the first page of this chapter that support the theme of madness in this novel.

“For a while sheer anger mastered me. It was as if he had during her life struck Lucy on the face. I smote the table hard and rose up as I said to him, "Dr. Van Helsing, are you mad?"—At first Dr. Seward is highly skeptical of Van Helsing’s theory and thinks he many be insane for about half the chapter.

“This staggered me. A man does not like to prove such a truth…”—Dr. Seward continues to disbelieve Van Helsing.

2.     What four actions or steps does Professor Van Helsing take to help Dr. Seward accept the truth of Lucy’s behavior?

To get Dr. Seward to accept that Lucy is a vampire Van Helsing and Dr. Seward visit with one of the “missing” children who have identical bite marks, look inside Lucy’s tomb to find her missing, see a “white streak” and a kid and the find Lucy back in her tomb.

3.     How does Van Helsing plan to kill Lucy now that she is one of the Un-Dead?

He plans to stake her and cut off her head and stuff it with garlic.

4.     For what reason does Van Helsing decide to put off killing Lucy until he can convince Arthur that she is one of the Un-Dead?

Van Helsing wants Arthur to know about Lucy being a vampire, because he wants Arthur to help him destroy that side of Lucy and thinks it fair considering that he was her fiancée.

5.     Arthur is upset when Van Helsing tells him about his plans for Lucy’s body.  He considers it his duty to protect Lucy’s body from mutilation.  List two arguments Van Helsing uses to persuade Arthur to come with him to Lucy’s tomb.

Van Helsing argues that he also promised to do what is best for Lucy and has given a lot of time and energy to saving her purity, he also argues that he’s doing it for Lucy’s sake.

6.     How is Arthur convinced that Lucy is Un-Dead and must be killed?

The group goes to Lucy’s grave and sees Lucy drinking a child’s blood, being seductive and cruel and shy away from the crucifix.

7.     List three reasons Lucy must be killed.  For what reasons is Arthur the one who drives the stake into Lucy?

Lucy must be killed so she won’t spread the evil, her soul will be released and save the children.

8.     In earlier chapters, incidents suggest an evil parallel between Dracula and Christianity.  Read the following excerpts from this chapter, which refer to Christianity or Christian symbols and practices.  Based on these passages, what do you think the role of Christianity and Christian values might be for the remainder of the book?

(a)   “He crumbled up the wafer fine and worked it into the mass between his hands.  This he then took, and rolling it into thin strips, began to lay them into the crevices between the door and its setting in the tomb” (p. 174).

(b)  “As for Arthur, he seemed under a spell; moving his hands from his face, he opened wide his arms.  She was leaping for them, when Van Helsing sprang forward and held between them his little golden crucifix.  She recoiled from it, and, with a suddenly distorted face, full of rage, dashed past him as if to enter the tomb” (p. 176).

(c)   “But of the most blessed of all, when this now Un-Dead be made to rest as true dead, then the soul of the poor lady whom we love shall again be free.  Instead of working wickedness by night and growing more debased in the assimilating of it by day, she shall take her place with the other Angels” (p. 178).

Christian values seem to protect the group against the vampires, which represent pure evil and Antichrist. For example, both Lucy and Dracula are powerless against Christian symbols (Crucifixes, Vatican approved cookies, and Rosaries). The main purpose of killing Lucy was to try and bring back Lucy’s purity and wholeness with God.

9.     At the end of the chapter, Van Helsing says, “Now, my friends, one step of our work is done…”  What is the next step in their work?

To kill Dracula.

10.   The overall theme of this book is the conflict between good and evil.  At this point in the story what tools are available to the good men who are trying to fight Dracula.

As well as having the physical tools to counteract Dracula (garlic, crucifixes, stakes), the English men also have bravery, Christ, science and observation and a larger group.

Chapter 17-18

1.     Before Chapter XVII, the reader knows more about the events in the story than the characters in the story.  Through the journal entries, the reader knows all, but the participants only understand pieces of the story.  The structure of the novel supports this dramatic irony.  What indications are there in this chapter that Stoker’s liberal use of the dramatic irony to add suspense and interest to the story is going to come to an end?

The characters piece together that Renfield is helping Dracula and that Dracula was hiding out right next to Dr. Seward’s asylum. This use of dramatic irony adds to the storyline, because if they characters had known, Lucy would have probably survived and they would have defeated Dracula.

2.     In what way does Mina help Arthur?

Mina comforts Arthur, who only feels comfortable breaking down in front of a woman, about Lucy’s death.

3.     Why does Mina ask to see Renfield?  In what ways does his behavior change in her presence?

Mina asks to see Renfield out of curiosity and because of his connection with Dracula. When she arrives, Renfield acts courteous and sane. He also eats all his flies and spiders prior to her arrival. 

4.     As Mina finishes her visit Renfield, she says:

Good-bye, and I hope I may see you often, under auspices pleasanter to yourself,” to which, to my [Dr. Seward’s] astonishment, he replied: —“Good-bye, my dear, I pray God I may see your sweet face again.  May He bless and keep you!”

Why do you suppose Renfield prays he will never see Mina again?

I think that Renfield knows that he’s helping Dracula do horrible things and feels regret. He shows this by sympathizing for Mina and her life.

5.     The Professor describes Mina in the following passage:

“Ah, that wonderful Madam Mina!  She has man’s brain—a brain that a man should have were he much gifted—and a woman’s heart.  The good God fashioned her for a purpose, believe me, when He made that so good combination.  Friend John, up to now fortune had made that woman of help to us; after tonight she must not have to do with this so terrible affair.  It is not good that she run a risk so great.  We men are determined—nay, are we not pledged—to destroy this monster but it is no part for a woman.  Even if she be not harmed, her heart may fail her in so much and so many horrors; and hereafter she may suffer—both in waking, from her nerves, and in sleep, from her dreams.  And, besides, she is young woman and not so long married; there may be other things to think of some time, if not now.  You tell me she has wrote all, then she must consult with us, but tomorrow she say goodbye to this work, and we go alone.”

One overall theme of this novel is the conflict between good and evil.  Understanding this theme and based on the Professor’s words, why do you think Mina is described in this way?  What does this description imply or foreshadow about the events to come?

Mina is described as having a man’s brain and a woman’s heart to provide contrast from the other characters (Lucy being the epitome of girly, and the rest being described as true men). Unfortunately, because of the sexist views the Victorians had, Mina wasn’t allowed to participate in hunting Dracula. However, the description of her being susceptible to the horrors of Dracula may hint that she’ll be his next victim.

6.     Briefly summarize the characteristics or powers a vampire like Dracula possesses.

He has unbelievable physical strength, can see in the dark, can vanish and reappear, can change his shape at his will, can control animals and the weather near him.

7.     Briefly summarize the powers the Professor and the others have to fight Dracula.

The Professor and the Others have science, knowledge and freedom.

8.     List 10 of Dracula’s limitations.

1)    Garlic

2)    Crucifixes

3)    wafers of the Host

4)    a sacred bullet

5)    stake through the heart can kill him

6)    loses his power at and

7)    must return to his coffin to rest

8)    only change at sunrise, sunset, or at noon

9)    only cross running water at low or full tide

10) only enter a place if he is invited

9.        Briefly describe the kind of man Dracula was before he became a vampire.

Before his vampire days, Dracula was still known for his cunningness and defeated the Turks for the “land beyond the forest”. It is said that his family line was quite accomplished but known for their dealings with the devil.

10.  What is Van Helsing’s plan to kill Dracula?

He plans to get Dracula at his weakest (daylight and not sleeping) and then shooting him with a magical bullet or driving a stake through his heart.

11.  In the following passage Renfield begs Dr. Seward to release him from the asylum.

“You don’t know what you do by keeping me here.  I am speaking from the depths of my heart, of my very soul.  You don’t know whom you wrong, or how; and I may not tell.  Woe is me!  I may not tell.  By all you hold sacred—by all you hold dear—by your love that is lost—by your hope that lives—for the sake of the Almighty, take me out of this and save my soul from guilt!”

What possible future guilt do you think Renfield is referring to in this passage?

I think Renfeild knows that Dracula is preying after Mina and wants to protect her.

Chapters 19-20

1.     What do the men encounter when they open the door to the chapel at Carfax?  How many boxes are left?  How many are missing?

They smell a horrible smell and start to have rats spill out of corners of the chapel. There are 29 remaining boxes, which mean that 21 were moved.

2.     A good novel must be believable in both terms of the novel’s plot and in the actions of the characters.  The reader understands that Dracula is infecting Mina.  Jonathan notes that Mina “looks paler than usual” and like someone “who has been waked out of a bad dream.”  These observations, coupled with Renfield’s strange behavior, lead the reader to understand that Mina is coming under Dracula’s power; yet, Mina herself is unaware of this influence.  Discuss whether or not you find her ignorance of Dracula’s presence in her life to be believable.

No, I don’t think it’s believable for many reasons. For one, she is known for being smart and attentive and actually comments about the mist materializing into vampires and red eyes. Also, all the men were commenting about her lethargy, but didn’t think that Dracula could have anything to do with it… even though they were all over Lucy’s illness.

3.     For what reasons does Mina regret taking a sleeping opiate?

She blames the sleep opiate for the vivid dreams.

4.     What information does Jonathan learn concerning the whereabouts of the boxes missing from Carfax?  Why does he come to believe that it is important that all the boxes be destroyed quickly?

Harker realizes that 12 of the boxes were transferred to two houses on opposite sides of London. The other 9 boxes were located in a house in Piccadilly. They need to quickly destroy the boxes, because they have spread far enough so Dracula can terrorize almost all of London and its surrounding areas.

5.     Renfield and Dr. Seward talk at length about souls in this chapter.  What conclusions does Dr. Seward draw from Renfield’s ravings?

Dr. Seward concludes that Renfield is struggling with the idea of eating a human, which is an animal with a soul. He wants life, but worries the consequences of eating a soul. This reaffirms that he is working with Dracula in some way.

6.     Find a passage in this chapter that supports the theme of madness.

“I think that through the cloudiness of his insanity he saw some antagonism in me, for he at once fell back on the last refuge of such as he—a dogged silence.”- pg 318

7.     In the following excerpt from Dr. Seward’s diary, Renfield is talking about souls:

“To hell with you and your souls!” he shouted.  “Why do you plague me about souls!  Haven’t I got enough to worry, and pain, to distract me already, without thinking of souls!”  He looked so hostile that I thought he was in for another homicidal fit, so I blew my whistle.  The instant, however, that I did so he became calm, and said apologetically:—

“Forgive me, Doctor; I forgot myself.  You do not need any help.  I am so worried in my mind that I am apt to be irritable.  If you only knew the problem I have to face, and that I am working out, you would pity, and tolerate, and pardon me.”

What problem do you think Renfield is trying to work out?

He probably is struggling with the idea of helping Dracula and following in his footsteps. Though he believes that eating life will continue his life, he worries about the souls humans have. This probably is referring to Dracula’s new prey, Mina.