Dracula, ch 17-18

 Chapter 17

Dr Seward's Diary

Mina, who is "a pearl among women" is traveling to meet the men (p233) and Dr Van Helsing tells Jonathan to be a "master of all the facts" (p233), for within them there is "much of treasure."

Indeed, the packet of papers they've accumulated "may be the beginning of the end" or "may sound the knell of the Un-dead who walk the earth" (knell - bells that tolls to signal a death).

Dr Seward meets Mina Harker and notes she is "a sweet-faced, dainty-looking girl". They both blush when they meet... (p234)

Mina shudders when she enters Dr Sewards home in the lunatic asylum (234).

Mina's Journal

Mina discover's Dr Seward's phonograph and feels "excited" and says "it beats shorthand" (p235).

Dr Seward calls Dracula "that terrible Being" (p236).

Mina and Dr Seward read/listen to each others notes.

Dr Seward's Diary

Mina has "sweet eyes".

Seward calls Dracula the "terrible monster" and the situation was a "dark mystery" (p237).

He says to Mina, "We need have no secrets amongst us; working together and with absolute trust, we can surely be stronger than if some of us were in the dark" (p238). 

Mina's Journal.

She says she is not of "fainting disposition" and see the "holy ray of light that my dear Lucy was" piercing through the dark.

They get their notes in order, and are methodical and organised in their approach.

Mina borrows newspaper files, hoping she shall "get some new light" (p239).

Dr Seward's Diary

He thinks Jonathan is "uncommonly clever" and "full of energy."

Jonathan and Mina are "knitting together in chronological order every scrap of evidence"

Quote "Stop, that way madness lies." from Shakespeare's King Lear.

He goes to see Renfield, who seemed "as sane as anyone" (p240) but Seward begins to realise Renfield's "mater" is Dracula.

Jonathon Harker's Journal

Jonathan goes to Whitby and meets with another real estate agent and realises "everything had been carefully thought out, and done systematically, and with precision" (p241).

He notes that Dracula's boxes of earth are now located in the old chapel of Carfax (p243).

Mina's Journal

Jonathan is "full of volcanic energy" and "is true grit," and "too true a gentleman" (245).

Yet, on the next page, "in an instant the poor dear fellow was overwhelmed with grief".

Mina says "We women have something of the mother in us that makes us rise above smaller matters when the mother-spirit is invoked".

Oddly, she then imagines Jonathan's head on her bosom as that of her future baby ! (p245).

Mina then sees Quincy Morris, who kisses her and, calls her "Little girl" and she kisses him...which makes him cry (p246).


Chapter 18

Seward’s Diary

How does Renfield “tidy up”? (p246). He eats all his flies and spiders..


How does Mina walk into Renfield’s room?

With easy gracefulness…. which is something made people respect !


Renfield is Seward’s “pet lunatic” and begins talking like a philosopher, and with the manner of a “polished gentleman” (p249).


Seward thinks Mina has “some rare gift or power” over Renfield (p249).


Renfield describes his own case (p249).and his desire to “prolong” his own life by eating other beings.

 

He then says “I pray God I may never see your sweet face again. May He bless and keep you” when saying goodbye to Mina (p249).


Mina hands over her up-to-date files to Seward, but blushes…again (p251).


Mina’s Journal

This is our main task of today, so have a look at the photocopy package (p252-257).

Dr Seward summarises what they know about vampires (p252), and their situation, and the team make a solemn pact.


Then, they look at their strengths and weaknesses., and make a plan (p257)... until Morris fires a gun through the window, as he'd been shooting at a bat !


Part of the plan is that Mina has to stay behind, as she is their "star" and their "hope".. but she finds it a "bitter pill to swallow" (258).


She pretends to sleep as the men go off to Carfax.


Dr Seward's Journal


The men go to see Renfield, who is very polite and cordial... and draws our attention to the men's own history and heritage (p260)... before asking for one-night's freedom.


He implores, "I am no lunatic in a mad fit, but a sane man fighting for his soul" and implores "Let me go! Let me go !" (p263°.


















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