Dracula: Chapters 10-12

Dracula

Chapter 10 and Chapter 11 and Chapter 12

Monster: a large, ugly, and frightening imaginary creature. "a monster with the head of a hyena and hindquarters of a wolf"

Describe a monster present in these chapters. Explain your choice, however obvious. First example = escaped wolf from the zoo “ He smiled , a kind of insolent smile with a mouth full of white sharp teeth” (lucy also has sharp teeth by the end of the chapter) Bats

Monstrous:  1. inhumanly or outrageously evil or wrong. "he wasn't lovable, he was monstrous and violent" 2. deviating greatly from the natural form or character : abnormal 3.  shockingly wrong  4. having the ugly or frightening appearance of a monster. "monstrous, bug-eyed fish"   +“that mark on her throat”

Describe something that is monstrous in these chapters. Explain your choice. For example, what is monstrous about Lucy’s death and transformation. Lucy's monstrosity described :“ The red seemed to have gone over from her lips and gums, and the bones of her face stood out prominently.” - she looks like a monster, but the transformation is monstrous Monstrous Transformation : the vampiresse uses the image the men hold of Lucy to deceive them & manipulate them as “Arthur bents eagerly over to kiss her” & Van Helsing has to drag him back with fury to prevent Lucy from sucking her fiance's blood. Lucy’s reaction is monstrous : “we saw a spasm as of rage flit like a shadow over her face; the sharp teeth champed together”(p172) Monstrous actions : Lucy coming to life with blood & weakening with its absence shows her deepening bond with Dracula who’s power expands by more ingurgitating blood. Mark left by the sharp teeth

Power 1) the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events. "a political process that offers people power over their own lives"  2) the ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way. "the power of speech"

What kind of power does Dracula have? “He was the strongest chap I ever struck”  “He seemed so confident”, women are dazed by Dracula’s power, his physical appearance influences humans like a charm or a spell. “People die but not Dracula” : supernatural powers, he’s immortal.

Menace:  1)a person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a threat or danger. "a new initiative aimed at beating the menace of drugs" 2)be a threat or possible danger to. "Africa's elephants are still menaced by poaching"

How is Dracula menacing?  How is the threat of the unknown menacing? Dracula is menacing by being unknown to the people and manipulating them, science can’t explain Dracula’s existence. Moreover, Dracula’s existence is threatening as he returns back into the past.

Representation of Gender Definition,: the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex In Twentieth century, gender came to have application in two closely related compound terms: gender identity refers to a person's internal sense of being male, female, some combination of male and female, or neither male nor female; gender expression refers to the physical and behavioral manifestations of one's gender identity. By the end of the century gender by itself was being used as a synonym of gender identity.https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gender

What is interesting about the representation of genders in these chapters? Lucy was at her worst state, they needed “someone to open their veins for her”. Women are “dazed” by Dracula’s power. This shows that women need to be protected from Dracula, therefore death.  “We must have another transfusion of blood [...] I fear to trust those women, even if they would have courage to submit”. Women are not trusted to be the saviours.  However, “A brave man’s blood is the best thing on this earth when a woman is in trouble. You’re a man, and no mistake. Well, the devil may work against us for all he’s worth, but God sends us men when we want them”. Additionally, Lucy was “positively frightened” by Van Helsing, feels surrounded by love and full of gratitude.  →  Saviours and threat = men In these chapters women are shown as helpless and seductive. Which is shown in Chapter 10 : “In the hall two maids came to me and asked if they or either of them might not sit up with Miss Lucy” shows that women must be protected. Even at their lowest points their actions are sexualised. Even the reader does it, due to the image society has during the Victorian era. People from the 21 century or from the Victorian Era have a similar view, this is due to Stocker's writing. Lucy was “positively frightened” by Van Helsing, this feeling could be an allusion to the fear of men’s stereotypical display of toxic masculinity. "A brave man's blood is the best thing on this earth when a woman is in trouble. You're a man and no mistake. Well, the devil may work against us for all he's worth, but God sends us men when we want them." this shows the contrast between the representation of women and men. This is the idea of men being strong and brave and women are in need of men. The use of God also brings the idea of christianity,linking themselves with this God figure is making them elevate into a higher position.  Fear that Lucy’s state would be “disastrous for her mother”. Indeed, a “shock to her would mean sudden death”. Highlights the idea that women can die “easily” and should be protected from “shocks”. Similarly, the quote “She will die for sheer want of blood to keep the heart’s action as it should be”, indicates her fragility and dependence on men as she needs their blood to survive. What’s more the two maids “asked if they or either of them might not sit up with Miss Lucy”, this shows women’s need to be protected.  Lucy “slept on and on in a deep, tranquil, life-giving, health-giving sleep”. This feeling indicates that she feels safe with a man to watch over her, men are seen as the protectors. Similarly, “he is so young and strong and of blood so pure that we need not defibrillate it “ shows how young strong men can save women. In this case, it even works : when Lucy “woke she was fairly well and strong” after the transfusion. The men’s blood made her stronger, their strength saved her. “A brave man’s blood is the best thing on this earth when a woman is in trouble.”. Men are seen as heroes, as the saviours in the novel. Lucy’s mother has ruined Dr Van Helsing’s treatments. Women are seen as getting in the way of men’s work. They are seen as weak: Women are “dazed” by Dracula’s power. Dracula, a man has a certain influence on the women who lose any logical thinking when he uses his power. Women are easily influenced. It is mentioned that several different methods are used to process materials. This shows men's intelligence in new technological progress, they are seen as resourceful. What’s more, Lucy has marks left by Dracula. The idea of a man who leaves his trace on a woman shows a power relation and possessiveness. Men are very strongly affected by women. “a deadly fear shot through my heart” and “his iron face was drawn in ashen white” when Lucy seemed like a “corpse after a prolonged illness”. Fear and sensitivity of the men, who fear Lucy’s situation and appearance at this point in the novel. What’s more Seward has never seen “the Professor work in such deadly earnest”, he is ready for anything to protect this woman. “He was in torture of suspense regarding the woman he loved”. Love of a man for a woman that is so strong, the loss of the love is torture. Next we have the mental fragility of women: Lucy was “positively frightened” by Van Helsing. Fear of a “fierce” man. Violence and aggressiveness of men and power relations.   The mention of the fact she feels like Ophelia, who represents femininity in Hamlet, she is desolate about her father's death and goes mad and drowns. Shows women’s tendencies to fall into madness.  “began to sob”, “mute despair”, “helpless way”. Yet he waits until she can’t see her to do all of that”. Women must be protected from shocks and men shouldn’t cry or show weakness. Lastly, Arthur “stood silent, waiting”; Lucy had “a spasm of rage flit like a shadow over her face”. Opposition between the two genders. The usually passive women and active men roles are reversed in this scene. Dracula’s influence on Lucy has led her to develop more monstrous and man-like characteristics.

Fear:  (v) be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or harmful. "I hated him but didn't fear him any more" (n) an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm. "I cowered in fear as bullets whizzed past" When do the characters show fear/not show fear? Lucy trying to survive is terrifying to see unfold : “Her struggle back into life was something frightful to see and hear” Faces are always described as pale/white -> expresses a feeling of unsafeness, people are constantly afraid. In chapter 12, Van Helsing is alone (like Jonathan in Dracula’s castle), and people entering have “white faces and trembling hands”.  When are the characters afraid/not afraid? Women are “dazed” by Dracula’s power

Terror:  extreme fear. "people fled in terror" the use of extreme fear to intimidate people."weapons of terror" When do the characters experience extreme fear/terror? Does Dracula terrorise the characters deliberately? By metamorphosing in animals, he frightens everyone (but in general), and taking Lucy’s blood in real time, as she is receiving some from her fiancé and John Seward. Even the attack of the wolf is linked to him, thus he by that terrorises the characters deliberately.

Horror:  an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust. "children screamed in horror" noun. Horror is a noun that is defined as “an overwhelming and painful feeling caused by something frightfully shocking, terrifying, or revolting; a shuddering fear.” It can also refer to anything that causes such a feeling. For example: While he was driving home, he watched in horror as the car in front of him drifted into oncoming traffic, causing an accident. Imagine the horror she felt after first discovering that her husband had fallen in love with her best friend When are the characters horrified by the events unfolding around them ? In her memorandum, Lucy describes the attack of a “grey wolf” (p.154), which horrified her. She was indeed “dazed and stupid with pain and terror and weakness.”

Heroes: noun a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. "a war hero"

Can you identify heroic actions? Who are the heroes in this text?

Villians:  a cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime; scoundrel. a character in a play, novel, or the like, who constitutes an important evil agency in the plot. a person or thing considered to be the cause of something bad.

Describe our villain. How are our heroes similar to our villains? Would Dracula consider himself a villain?

Dracula

Chapter 10 and Chapter 11 and Chapter 12

Chapter 10	Student	Key Quotes/Analysis	Potential Key Issue
128-129		Fear that Lucy’s state would be “disastrous for her mother”. Indeed, a “shock to her would mean sudden death”. Highlights the idea that women can die “easily” and should be protected from “shocks” Arthur “deals with madmen”.	Representation of gender Heroes and Villains
130-131	Tristan	Van Helsing talks with dr Seward about Lucy’s case : « We learn from failure,not from success! » They enter Lucy’s room: « she was ghasly, chalkily pale; the red seemed to have gone even from her lips and gums »Van Helsing says : « there is no time to be lost. She will die for sheer want of blood to keep the heart’s action as it should be » Arth
132-133	Iliane	“She wants blood , and blood she must have or die” he is so young and strong and of blood so pure that we need not defibrinate it “	Heroes and villain  Supernatural
134-135	Defne	"What do you make of that mark on her throat?" “There was no sign of disease, but the edges were white and worn looking, as if by some trituration” the name of several different methods used to process materials. These marks are the ones left by Dracula.	Supernatural  Monstrous
136-137	Anna	“slept on and on in a deep, tranquil, life-giving, health-giving sleep” (Lucy) his brain was feeling that “numbness which marks cerebral exhaustion” and he was “dog-tired” (Dr Seward) She is so happy that it feels like “sunshine after a long spell of east wind out of a steel sky.” (Lucy) “a deadly fear shot through my heart” (Dr Seward) “his iron face was drawn in ashen white” from the terror (Professor) Seward was so horrified that his “knees beg(a)n to tremble”  Lucy was “horribly white and wan-looking”, she seemed like a “corpse after a prolonged illness”	Setting Fear, terror and horror
138-139	Elsa	Van Helsing “was dipping into his bag and producing the instruments for transfusion” When lucy “woke she was fairly well and strong”, “Lucy chatted with me freely, and seemed quite unconscious that anything had happened”, “Lucy turned crimson”	Representation of gender
140-141-142	Pierre	“In the hall two maids came to me and asked if they or either of them might not sit up with Miss Lucy” => Shows that women must be protected, in this case from a form of invisible evil. “He seemed so confident that I, remembering my own confidence two nights before and with the baneful result, felt awe and vague terror. It must have been my weakness that made me hesitate to tell it to my friend, but I felt it all the more, like unshed tears.” => effect of doom/fatality, foreshadowing of future events (Lucy Westenra’s death), melodramatic with the reference to unshed tears	Representation of gender/Power and menace/Monster and the monstrous  Fear, Terror and Horror/Melodrama and Realism
Chapter 11
143-145	Jo	Lucy was “positively frightened” by Van Helsing, feels surrounded by love and full of gratitude  She feels like Ophelia (character in Hamlet) “lovely morning” (colorful nature) => the despair of the doctors will contrast with it Lucy’s mother has ruined Dr Van Helsing’s treatment and he is getting desperate: “began to sob”, “mute despair”, “helpless way”. Yet he waits until she can’t see her to do all of that => women must be protected from shocks “How are all the powers of the devils against us!” Finally tells Lucy’s mother what the treatment is so that she cannot ruin it again	- Representation of gender - Melodrama and Realism - Use and effect of setting
146-147	Philo
148-149	Elie
150-151	Achille
152-153	Sorcadh	Renfield attacks Dr.Seward: “He was too quick and too strong for me, however; for before I could get my balance he had struck at me and cut my left wrist rather severely. “ Lucy leaves a memorandum: “I feel I am dying of weakness, and have barely any strength to write, but it must be done if I die in the doing”	Monsters and Monstruosity.
154-155	Augustin	In her memorandum, Lucy describes the attack of a grey wolf: "The window blind blew back with the wind that rushed in, and in the aperture of the broken panes there was the head of a great, gaunt grey wolf." That brings terror:  "I was dazed and stupid with pain and terror and weakness, but the sound of the nightingale seemed like the voice of my dead mother come back to comfort me."	Fear, Terror and Horror (+ monsters and monstrosity)
Chapter 12
156-157	Kelvin	When arriving at Lucy’s house, Van Helsing knocked at the door “and so rang and knocked again, but more impatiently”→ similar to Dracula as a bat, scratching Lucy’s window impatiently. “Was it indeed a house of death to which I had come, too late?”→ personification of death, Dracula’s presence & impact, the uncertainty of death, throwback to his own house of death (asylum). “There was no one in the kitchen or in the servants’ rooms”→ tense atmosphere, idea of being alone, like Johnathan in Dracula's castle. “With white faces and trembling hands” they entered her room→ spasm & paleness, like people right before they die (contrasts with Lucy’s “face white” of an actual cadaver).	Heroes and villains Power and menace Use and effect of Setting  Fear, terror and horror
158-159	Sana	Van Helsing thinks “It is not yet too late” to save Lucy. Dr Seward expresses that he has never seen “the Professor work in such deadly earnest”. Women are “dazed” by Dracula’s power. The fight is a “fight with death”.  Lucy was at her worst state, they needed “someone to open their veins for her”. This shows that women need to be protected from Dracula, therefore death.
160-161	Chiara	“A brave man’s blood is the best thing on this earth when a woman is in trouble. You’re a man, and no mistake. Well, the devil may work against us for all he’s worth, but God sends us men when we want them” = man seen as heroes  “Her struggle back into life was something frightful to see and hear”	Gender, heroes and villains Fear, terror, and horror
162-163	Daniel	“One of those big bats they call vampires had got at her in the night” → supernatural element  “He was in torture of suspense regarding the woman he loved”--> Fear of losing a loved one “This is no ordinary case” → insinuating something supernatural and giving  a sense of fear and mystery to the reader	The role of the supernatural in Gothic writing Fear, Terror and Horror
164-165	Lilas	“Her open mouth showed the pale gums drawn back from the teeth, which looked positively longer and sharper than usual. “ “I can see the great elms of the cathedral close, with their great black stems standing out against the old yellow stone of the cathedral, and I can hear the rooks overhead cawing and cawing and chattering and chattering and gossiping all day”	The monster and the monstrous The use an effect of setting
166-167	Eleonore
168-169	Alexis	“bloomin’ good a bloke’”, one of the shippers calls Dr Seward a bloke (an ordinary Englishman) → irony? talking about Mr Hawkins’ death “we had lost a father” → idea of being left alone by the older generation  “my belief in him helps him to have a belief in himself” → idea of power by the many → “You must not be alone” says Van Helsing to Lucy “I  dread coming up to London” says Lucy + idea of burying Mr Hawkins with his father → people die but not Dracula	-Fear, terror and horror in Gothic Writing -Power and menace in Gothic Writing
170-171	Liam & Madeleine	Lucy gradually turns into a vampire “Her teeth, in the dim, uncertain light, seemed longer and sharper than they had been in the morning.” + “The wounds on the throat had absolutely disappeared.” Lucy dies “For a little bit her breast heaved softly, and her breath came and went like a tired child’s.”	The role of the supernatural in Gothic writing The monster and the monstrous in Gothic writing
172-173	Milla and  Malo <3	“Her breathing grew stertorous, the mouth opened, and the pale gums, drawn back, made the teeth look longer and sharper than ever” => Lucy’s transformation: “voluptuous voice”  => Arthur and Lucy: Opposition of power between genders  Arthur: “stood silent, waiting” Lucy: “a spasm of rage flit like a shadow over her face” “Death had given back part of her body” → death has benefits for her, she’s not human  “her brows and cheeks had recovered some of their flowing lines”, “the lips had lost their deadly pallor” → her appearance is slowly changing, some supernatural powers going against the natural aging and impacts of death “it is the end” - “no it is only the beginning!” → rebirth, second life, transformation into a creature (since she’s not a human anymore)	Representation of Gender The Monster and monstrous  Power and menace  Supernatural