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 20th 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
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 12th.
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.
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
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
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
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.