Dracula Ch.14 and Ch.15

Van And Mina Meet

Mina reads her husband's journal and now knows what terrible things had happend to him while he was with the Count. She worries about him more than ever since she now knows how much of a shock he must have had by encountering the Count once again in London. At the right moment a letter from Van Helsing arrives asking Mina to meet up with him considering the letters Lucy had sent to Mina to which she gladly agrees. As they meet for lunch Van reads the letters and is very thankful. Mina also talks to Van about the strange things she read in her husband's diary and also shows him a copy of his journal. Van agrees to help Mina with it too. Jonathan is also relieved that Van is going to help him with his situation and is thankful to his wife who made it possible.

The Bloofer Lady's Identity

Everything is back to normal after Lucy's funeral. Arthur is in his mourning state. Quincy Morris is with him. And Dr Seward' patient Renfield is in his usual state eating flies. Van shows Dr Seward the article about the bloofer lady and he instantly realizes that the case is similar to Lucy's. The children had similar bite mark on their neck like Lucy did. Seward believes that Lucy's death was because of huge amount of blood loss but Van makes him realize that the reason was unknown to him and all of the others. Van then explains to him that the reason Lucy looked undead even in her funeral that made people suspect if she really is dead is beacuse she had been bitten by a vampire who is at present in London. And the bloofer lady is infact no other than Lucy herself. Although Van has made up the strangest theory about Lucy's death, however, Seward has no option but to believe in him because it is the only good enough answer for her death and also his trust for Van.

The Plan

Dr Seward is shocked by what Van has told him and although impossible to believe Van has agreed to prove his point. Van first decides to see the child in the hospital who had been bitten by the bloofer lady and then go to the tomb where Lucy's dead body laid. They go to the hospital and see that the bite marks on the neck of the child is exaxtly like that of Lucy's but only smaller.

Ch.12 and Ch.13

Much Worse

Dr Seward arrives at the death scene not knowing that disaster had fallen upon the house. As no one answers the door the thought that comes to his mind is Lucy's safety. He suspects that something might have happened and that he was too late. In a state of confusion Van arrives at the scene and they together crash into the house. They first notice the unconscious maids on the floor and hurriedly look for Lucy. As they enter the room, they find Mrs Westenrna's body and Lucy beside her. They prepare themselves to aid upon the half-dead girl but find themselves hesitating for need of blood transfusion. Luckily, Mr Morris arrives bringing a telegram from Arthur and provides his blood to Lucy. This makes her condition a lot better than they found her in the morning. As Van awaits for Lucy to wake up, Dr Seward explains everything that had happened for the past weeks. As we know Mr Morris was also in love with Lucy, he also teams up with the doctors to provide help as much as he can. They find Lucy's memorandum that she had kept in her breasts. Kindly Van returns it where it was supposed to be.
I keep on thinking that even though some terrible things have been befalling the poor woman, she should think of herself as lucky since beside her stands such caring friends. Even a stranger like Van Helsing who has nothing to do with her, is helping her as much as he can sacrificing his nights and nights.

Mina To Lucy

Their friendship is something that must be admired. Especially how caring Mina is towards Lucy. Even though she has to take care of her own husband who have still to recover from his nightmares, she still worries about her dear friend. However, it is quite sad that nothing is revealed to her about Lucy's condition and does not know anything about Mrs Westerna's death. She also has some good news to tell. It seems that they have been chosen to inherit Mr Hawkins property. I thought it was weird that the letter about the inheritance was sent on the 17th September and the next day another letter arrives about Mr Hawkins death. Either Mr Hawkins knew that his end was near or [just a wild guess] Mina and Jonathan has something to do with it. I think they both are really kind-hearted so then the sudden death of Mr Hawkin could be directing to Dracula.

R.I.P Lucy
All four men, in turns, are busy guarding Lucy and taking care of her. Arthur, her love, Dr Seward and Mr Morris, who loves her dearly and Dr Van, her saviour. Lucy is getting weaker and weaker and has no strength to wake up from her sleep. As Van and Seward are examining her, they notice that the mark in her neck had completely disappeared. Van's reaction tells us that it is not a good sign as he asks Seward to get Arthur immediately. Lucy wakes up and looks at Arthur, her voluptuous voice calls out "Arthur! Kiss me!" At such a state, Van forbiddens Arthur to go near her. I think she was turning into the vampires we had seen in earlier chapters. She turns back to normal again and thanks Van for it. Blesses him and bids everyone farewell and goes into a deep sleep to never wake up. I thought this was the best quote "We thought her dying whilst she slept, And sleeping when she died." That day a beautiful and innocent lady had left the world forever.

Last Words For His Love

The beautiful corpse of Lucy Westerna is buried and with it all her memories of her love, her family and her friends. Van Helsing becomes keen on reading her papers and letters looking for something unknown to Dr Seward. Although Dr Seward trusts Van but as he is keeping more and more things to himself he seems to have doubts about the things he has been doing. Van explains that they would be doing a postmortem to Lucy's body which Dr Seward thinks is not necessary. But since he knows his master well and knows that behind everything he does there must be a reason, he agrees with it. The part where Van puts a garlic necklace around Lucy and a puts a cruxifix on her chest was strange to me. The next day when the cruxifix is found stolen and Van cancels their plan is even strager. It is questioning that why the cruxifix was important after all Lucy was already dead. The same question occurs again and again whether Lucy has really died or she is in a deep sleep as her corpse is as beautiful as if she were alive. Dr Seward also mentions that Mr Quincey who was also in love with Lucy laughs all of a sudden. When he is asked he gives all sorts of explanation like how Arthur says he already felt like he and Lucy were married when he donated his blood to her while the others had also donated theirs without his knowledge. Or how such a beautiful and innocent lady loved by so many had died. But Seward could find no proper answer to why such things could bring laughter. He concludes that he is ending the diary which contains his romantic feelings and his hardships he has experienced for the woman he loved.

The encounter

With Mr Hawkins death and his inheritance passed onto Jonathan and Mina, Jonathan is now a solicitor, a partner, rich and master of his own business. When they are returning from Exter to their lifeless house they walk down to Piccadilly on the way. As they are walking by, as Mina says 'like in the old days', Jonathan shows nervousness again. As Mina tries to find what has disturbed him she sees him gazing at a tall, thin man observing a beautiful girl. The description itself reminded me of The Count Dracula. Jonathan looked terrified and kept staring at the man and beside him Mina was confused and shocked as ever. Then he says that it is the Count and confuses Mina more. He mentions that the Count looks younger. It is because he had been sucking blood from Lucy and many others like her? We also find out that Jonathan seems to forget everything that has disturbed him like before. Poor Mina then decides that she is going to read the diary Jonathan had handed her.

Dracula Ch.10 & Ch.11

Dr Seward's Diary

This chapter mostly contains pages from Dr Seward's diary and we also get to know more about Van Helsing. Their discussions are mostly about Lucy's illness and her weak condition. We do not know whether Lucy is actually turning into a vampire or just ill and we also don't know if Dracula has really come to England. We see Dr Seward worrying about the slightest when it comes to Lucy and we see how much concern he has for her. Van Helsing arrives in England to treat Lucy after being requested by Dr Seward. Van is quite shocked when he sees Lucy all pale and bloodless. He immediately suggests a blood transfusion to which Dr Seward agrees and also volunteers to donate his blood. As he is getting ready Arthur arrives and donates his blood instead. We see how much love Arthur has for Lucy and can do anything for her. During the process Van notices the two red marks in Lucy's neck which shocks him. His attitude towards Lucy's condition seems to have changed like he knows what the reason behind all that might be. Since Dr Seward himself was unable to say anything about the marks in Lucy's neck I think it must be because at that period a vampire was something people had no knowledge about and because of that they were unable to help those who have been bitten by them. However, Van seems to have some knowledge about them since he asks Lucy to wear a garlic necklace and spreads garlic all over her room. He warns her never to open the window even if the smell is suffocating. Van is a very clever character and performs his job very well. We can clearly see that ones he devotes to his patients he can go to any extent to cure them. He and Dr Seward both try their best to help Lucy as much as possible going through many sleepless nights. He says the garlics are for keeping out evil. By evil Van could be referring to the Dracula. As I read along I really felt bad for Dr Seward since he still has feelings for Lucy and takes care of her wholeheartedly. We see how much he cares for her and wants to help her as much as possible.

Lucy Is Much Better

Lucy has recovered and feels grateful for all the help she's got from the two doctors. She thinks its the flowers that have made her able to sleep without any fear. She mentions the flapping sound she hears in her window at night which she used to fear. But not she feels more confident to face it maybe because of the garlic. Van and Dr Seward are relieved that the garlic is working and is helping Lucy recover for a great deal. But then Lucy's mother removes all the garlic from her room which was actually what was helping her recover. This completely ruins the well planned treatment of Van Helsing and Lucy becomes bloodless again. This time Dr Seward donates his blood since Arthur is not present and Lucy is in a critical condition. I've noticed that Van keeps on repeating that Lucy would die if she is not treated well and that she must be watched over all the time.

Memorandum

Lucy writes a memorandum in belief that her life may have come to an end and that she must report what has occurred before she dies. She says that she was woken up by a flapping sound on the window and remembering Van's warning of never opening the door remains still. Surprisingly her mother comes to check up on her and when she sees Lucy awake keeps her company. Suddenly the flapping sounds and howls get louder and the window crashes. To their shock there appears a wolves head which surprises Mrs Westerna leading to her death. Poor Lucy also loses consiousness and falls beside her mother's dead body. As she gains consiousness realizing what had befall her she calls upon her maids. As no reply comes she comes out of the room and finds out that someone had poisioned them. I thought her ending message was very touching specially when she says "my dear mother gone!it is time that I go too. Goodbye dear Arthur, if I should not survive this night."

Madman attack

Inspite of the tiresome work with Van treating his weak love,Lucy, he still continues his examination of Renfield. He notices that he has gone more and more violent. As he is thinking about Lucy's progress to recovery Renfield suddenly barges in his office with a knife. As Seward tries to escape the crazy killer he luckily only gets cut on his wrists and manages to avoid any severe injuries. Renfield is put back in his lunatic room and thankfully Dr Seward is fine. What took me was while trying to avoid death, Dr Seward was still thinking about Lucy. He thinks that he should not be wasting such precious blood which has become a necessity for his love.

Dracula Ch.8 & Ch.9

Good News For Mina

Finally the author has decided to bring back the poor man trapped in the castle. The last time we heard about Jonathan ended with a cliff hanger making us curious about what will happen to him. But finally a letter arrives for Mina and the sender is addressed as Sister Agatha informing her that Jonathan had been in their care for six weeks and has now recovered. Sister Agatha also secretly informs her that Jonathan had been in a shock and was having dreams of wolves, poison, blood, ghosts and demons. She also warns Mina that his illness would not lightly die away.

But also on the other hand, Lucy's condition has begun to get worse. She's got bite marks on her neck and showing some symptoms that she might be turning into a vampire. Also there have been many occasions where we find things being related to Gothic Literature. Like Lucy sleep-walking and ending up in a church yard. Lucy's pale face, the bat Mina sees on a moonlight and the red sunlight Lucy points out and says "His red eyes again! They are just the same." I think all these things have really been able to create a sense of Gothic atmosphere and also have been hinting the readers of Dracula's arrival in England.

Dr Seward's Patient
He is still examining Renfield's behaviour which is becoming more and more strange to him. Renfield is being suspected as a religious homicide as he keeps on saying "The master is at hand". I am guessing that he must be talking about the Dracula. At one time he manages to escape and as Renfield finds him he is seen speaking to someone. As they force him into his 'lunatic cage' Dr Seward realizes that Renfield had got stronger and that he could be dangerous. On the other hand, we also find out that the doctor still has feelings for Lucy.

Reunion

Apparently, Jonathan and Mina are now married and Jonathan seems to have recovered quite well. Mina has returned to her rightful place beside Jonathan and looks happier than ever. Gothic scene is introduced again as Mina describes Jonathan's condition 'thin and pale and weak-looking.' It says that Jonathan does not remember anything that happened for a long period of time which means what happened in the castle still remains a mystery. Mina thinks that he must be hiding something and so tries to find it out from Sister Agatha but she refuses to enclose anything. From this we also find out that Mina does not fully trust Jonathan and suspects that he might be having an affair until she is ensured by the sister that it was not the case. It is a relief to know that Lucy is now feeling much better and have been spending a lot of time with Arthur. The date of their marriage has also been fixed. But as she was getting better she has started having breathing problems and seems to be having nightmares which she is then unable to recall. Arthur requests Dr Seward to take a look at Lucy's condition inspite of knowing that Seward used to or rather still has feelings for Lucy.

Examination Continued

Renfield is still examined by Dr Seward and his behavious seems to have changed. He would get violent all day and then quite from moonrise to sunrise. Since he had made an attempt to escape Dr Seward tries to allow him to escape and then to follow him. Unfortunately, the plan fails as Renfield shows no interest in escaping.

But the next day he escapes again and as they follow him they find him pressed against the chapel door. The chapel brings out the Gothic architecture in the story. Seward mentions Renfield watching a big bat going on straight as if knowing where he is bound to go which is an unusual behaviour for bats. This I think is a definite proof or lets say a hint that the Dracula has come.

After that Renfield returns back to normal and continues with his fly collecting hobby but then suddenly turns violent again. This behaviour interests the doctor more about his patient.

New Arrival

We are also introduced to a new character named Van Helsing. He is an old friend and master of Dr Seward. Van is requested to look at Lucy's condition as she is getting weaker day by day. The first two telegraph sent by Seward to Van says that Lucy seems fine but the last one has a tone of emergency and calls for the doctor immediately. I am getting more and more curious about the reason behind Lucy's abnormal condition that seems to drop and rise from time to time.

Dracula Ch.6 & Ch.7

Mina Murray's Journal

Mina Murray, as we found out in the last chapter is engaged to Jonathan. She is also a childhood friend of Lucy Westerna.

I think Mina's journal is very interesting. She talks about many things; from her surroundings to the people she meets or just comes across. Her descriptions of people are brilliantly done. Also we clearly see that Mina really worries about people she loves and also takes care of Lucy very well. An old man is also introduced to this chapter.

Mina's curiousness about things the old man talks about like "The Day of Judgement" leads one conversation to another with the old man but everytime it looks like he does not want to disclose anything at all. We find argument after argument as their conversation proceeds.

Lucy's sleep-walking habit has returned bringing more trouble for Mina. As she is unable to lower her guard at night fearing Lucy would walk out. Poor Mina's worries never ends. Jonathan's first letter brings along more anxiety as it contains no address with only a line dated from Castle Dracula.

The chapter ends with an upcoming storm and the old man saying he was going to die.

Mr Seward's Diary

This part of the chapter is quite strange. Mr Seward who is a psychiatrist is examining this person named Renfield who is somewhat mad but sometimes acts normal. His talks with the doctor seems normal but then his love for animals is quite weird. He asks the doctor if he can raise flies as his pet and then later has switched to spiders. But he is clever enough to use his food as a bait for flies to feed the spiders. I found it really disguisting when he actually catches a fly and puts it in his mouth.

He then swiches his pets to sparrow and then decides to ask for a kitten. Here we see his childish side when he says, "I only asked a kitten lest you should refuse me a cat. No one would refuse me a kitten, would they?" Unfortunate for him, the doctor refuses to allow him to keep a kitten. The strangest thing was what the doctor found out that Renfield was trying to do. His animals grew bigger and bigger and he had cleverly set the preying range. The kitten would eat the sparrow, the sparrow would eat the spiders and so on.

News Report

It mostly talks about the storm making it disastrous and dark. Tension builds up more and more. The whole atmosphere has changed. Not while ago Mina and Lucy were admiring the scenery but now darkness has covered its beauty.

Lucy's sleep-walking habit returns with the return of Dracula. Thrills and the Gothic genre has finally returned and the story is getting more and more interesting.

Dracula Ch.5

Lucy and Mina

In this chapter two new characters has been introduced to the novel. Also the chapter has taken a complete turn from Jonathan's journal to letters from Mina Murray to Lucy Westerna and vice versa. We are quite familiar with the charater Mina whom Jonathan mentions from the very start and from reading the letters it is revealed that they are actually engaged.

From the first letter sent by Lucy to Mina also gives us the impression that they were childhood friends. They also seemed very close to each other since Lucy is ready to share her secrets with Mina.

I found the letter written on the 24th of May by Lucy very long and rather unimportant since it only contained things about her love affair and some suggestions on relationships for Mina. Lucy talks about how she was proposed by three men on the same day.

Dr John Seward, a psychiatrist (as Lucy says "lunatic-asylum man")is the first one to propose to her. When he's rejected he insists on being one of her best friend so that she could come to him anytime she needs someone to talk to.

The second person who proposes to Lucy is addressed as Mr Morris who is also rejected. Lucy says she found it harder to reject him than it was to reject the doctor.

She has also commented on why women are not allowed to marry three men at the same time which shows that she is indeed a very kind-hearted lady.

And the last proposal she got that brought her the most happiness which made her forget all the harsh decisions she had to make was Mr Holmwood, the person she loved.

While writting the letter she has apologised to Mina a couple of times saying that it could be blotted since she has been crying all allong. Although, it does show the readers how good their relationship really is and the level of trust they have between them.

The chapter also contains a part of Dr Seward's diary that has been recorded in a phonograph. We learn that he is a psychologist since he mentions some of his patients.

Dracula Ch.3 & Ch.4

At The Count's

In chapter 3 the first thing I nothiced was the unusal evryday routine the Count followed. Count Dracula would disappear in daylight and would return late at night. Harker had never seen him had meals and would always excuse himself saying he was already full. Then he would talk to Harker bout London till dawn. This routine was carried out everyday which is quite questioning.

Where does the Count disappear during the day?

He later finds out that the Count himself was the driver in disguise. Harker is mostly stricken by the ability of the Count to keep him clueless about waht had been going on and that he was imprisoned in the castle with wolves guarding the outside and other three women vampire from the inside. The secrets Dracula had been hiding from him seem to be revealing themselves one by one making complete sense.

The funny part was when Dracula asks Jonathan to send a letter to Peter Hawkins informing his extended stay at the castle suggested by the Dracula himself. It meant the Count had full intention of keeping Jonathan imprisoned for a long time.

At the last few pages of the chapter he encounters three women vampires. I think he should be thankful to the Count who saved him from getting bitten by them. However the conversation between the women and the Count was a bit confusing. One of the vampire mentions that Count has never loved anyone before but he opposes saying he is able to love. I thought he was talking about Jonathan but then he says they would be able to take him when he is finished. So from where did love come in??

Chapter 4 provides us with more description about the place he had been staying in; the castle. He is now more aware of the danger he is in and desperately tries to get away. Again we see the creature-like behaviour of the Dracula crawling on the castle walls.

All Is Revealed

The next morning after being saved from the trecherous vampires Jonathan finds himself in his own bed. Dracula cleverly makes it look like it was a mere dream, however, Jonathan was not to be fooled. He goes back to the room he went into but was locked.

When he is told to write three letters dated June 12, 19 and 29, Jonathan thinks to himself "I now know the span of my life." It was like Dracula was hinting that the letter dated 29 June would be his very last letter.

It is amusing that even though Harker is well aware of what is going on when we get to the end of the chapter, however, Dracula still acts normal like nothing has happened.

Also in this chapter we see the feelings he has for Mina. He is sensible enough to miss out horrifying details so that she wouldn't worry too much.

At the end I would like to point out the fact that the tension is building up more and more making readers more curious about what is going to happen next.

Dracula Ch.2

On His Way

In chapter 2, Harker is still on his way to the Count's residence which is unknown to him. Harker seems to be frightened by the unusual attitudes of the passengers and also by the darkness that had overcome the day. He has described his fear and loneliness when he is alone in the carriage with only the driver and the horses.
He also encounters the howling wolves where you find this supernatural act of the driver. The driver gets off the carriage and performs some hand moving signs after which the wolves disappear.

[I was completely lost at the part where they see this blue flame/light]

Harker has also mentioned the similar strength in Dracula's and the driver's hand when he takes them.

Then comes along the setting of a castle which itself brings out the Gothic architecture

Jonathan tells us about his fear when they approach the castle but he's instantly touched by the Count's courteous welcome allowing him to forget all his doubts.

I think this chapter makes the readers more and more curious about things linked to Dracula. For example, his animal-like reaction when he sees blood when Harker cuts himself.
Also Harker notices that Dracula does not have a reflecion in the mirror.

Other incidents like when Dracula forbids Harker to enter any locked doors and warns him that behind those doors would be things one would not wish to see.

The main twist of the whole chapter was when Harker finds out that the castle had no way out and that only he and the Count were living.


I believe that if I was a reader from the period of time the book was written in, when vampires were a new thing, I probably would have presumed Dracula for some other supernatural creature rather than a vampire.

Dracula Ch.1

The Beginning

The start of the book says many papers has been placed in sequence to create the novel. It then means that the book is a true story.

The title of the first chapter that reads "Jonathan Harker's Journal" itself gives the reader a lot of information. From it the readers are instantly able to figure out that it has been taken from a journal belonging to Harker.

It also gives the readers a lot of beautiful scenery Harker sees during his journey that can give the readers a chance to make powerful imaginations.

Basically, the beginning of the book itself gives out dark and chilling atmosphere. The start of the chapter already turns mysterious and gives out a Gothic since Harker does not know anything about the person he is meeting except his name;Count Dracula.


He also comes across amusing situations like when people shows him the cross symbols and talks about evil and darkness.


The conversation he has with the old lady before he is off to his journey also adds up the tension. The lady tries to stop Harker from going with no proper explanation. We only know that it was the day when all evils would be in "full sway".


Overall, I think the book is really interesting and also makes you want to read more and more.I also found it hysterical when he is unable to understand what people around him are saying which does confuse him a lot.