The Old Curiosity Club discussion
Dracula
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chapters 17-20
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Mina and Renfield meet in chapter 18. It surprises me that Seward allows it, frankly. But Renfield is having a lucid day and behaves himself in Mina's presence. As she leaves, though, Renfield says, in a heartfelt way, "pray God I may never see your sweet face again. May he bless and keep you." That must have given Mina and Seward pause. The group meets to discuss their progress, and Van Helsing is impressed by Mina's diligence in compiling the chronology. He remarks that Mina "has a man's brain - a brain that a man should have were he much gifted." Kind of a back-handed compliment, isn't it? But then he says he wants to cut her out. She's done her bit, and they need to exclude her now, for her own protection. Haven't they learned yet that she's not such a delicate flower?
Van Helsing finally speaks directly about what they're up against, and says that the actions they must take will shut them out of heaven! A high price to pay. While Van Helsing briefs them, Quincy slips out of the room. Next thing you know, a bullet breaks through the window from outside. Quincy apologizes. He says he saw a large bat lurking outside the window, and went out to take a shot at it, but missed.
Van Helsing's long speech in broken English was a bit of a challenge to read for me, but I was glad he was finally sharing all his vampire knowledge. Aside from the things that had already been addressed, I was surprised to learn that vampires can control the weather in their immediate surroundings, turning themselves to mist. I'd also forgotten that vampires must be invited into a place, and cannot just enter of their own accord. And that they don't cast a shadow.
Finally, Renfield makes an urgent request to see Seward, who brings the boys along. Renfield seems lucid once again, and urgently pleads to be released immediately. Not trusting him, Seward declines. Renfield cryptically calls to them to remember that he tried his hardest to not be in the asylum that night. Oh, dear. I think we can all guess what's coming. Except, of course, our quintet of heroes.
In chapter 19, as our gentlemen go together on their first quest, Morris slips away again. The first time he did this raised an eyebrow; now that he's done it twice, I wonder if we need to be suspicious of the Texan. He returns with a silver whistle. The men break into Carfax where they find that 21 of the 50 caskets are missing. While there, rats invade, "multiplying in thousands"! Quincy blows his silver whistle which brings his terriers running, and they chase the rats away. Good dogs! Two of the men seem to see Dracula lurking in a dark corner, but he quickly vanishes so they chalk it up to stress. Why do we disregard our own senses? Mina, left behind for her own good, is restless. She looks out the window and sees a thin streak of white mist, that crept with almost imperceptible slowness across the grass towards the house [and] seemed to have a sentience and a vitality of its own. Uh oh. She can't recall how it was she finally fell asleep, but awakens late, pale, and lethargic. Jonathan, bless his heart, thinks this is due to the stress of not knowing what the menfolk are keeping from her. For Mina's part, she's putting on a brave face so that the men won't worry about her. More secrets!
Quincy seems to have had good excuses for wandering off on his own, and the terriers certainly proved to be a great help. Is Quincy just an independent spirit (God bless America!) or is there something else going on there?
In chapter 20, Harker discovers the missing boxes in two other dilapidated mansions in other neighborhoods strategically surrounding London. The men worry about being caught breaking and entering, and Harker uses Arthur's title to convince the realtor to provide information about the previous owners who may still be able to provide a key. The buyer's name, by the way, is Count de Ville, a.k.a. Captain Obvious. Does he have a sister named Cruella?Renfield has entered a new phase of psychosis and now compares himself with Enoch, who walked with God. He and the doctor talk of souls, and Renfield says he is no longer interested in small creatures. Seward comes to the shocking realization that Renfield's interest is now in humans, and exclaims, Merciful God! the Count has been to him, and there is some new scheme of terror afoot! I'm sorry, but I laughed when I read that line, which, I'm sure, was totally counter to the reaction Stoker intended. I couldn't help but hear it in the voice of Adam West as Batman.
When Seward realizes that things have just kicked up a notch, he grabs Van Helsing, who has been perusing the chronology for clues, and they return to Renfield together. But Renfield (who, I think, was never introduced to the reader by a Christian name), was back to eating flies. Goodness, but he's mercurial. Seward orders that an attendant watch him all night, but the next morning the man on duty admits to having dozed off a time or two. As Seward records all of these events, he hears a scream, and a staff member runs in telling him that something has happened to Renfield who is face-down on the floor and covered with blood.
So many cliff-hangers!
It occurs to me that once the Count left Romania, we have seen almost nothing of him. His aura, for lack of a better word, is pervasive, but there's been no overt interaction between him - in human form - and our other characters, and he's only been seen fleetingly. Will he continue to be so elusive, or will the time come when he becomes a corporeal presence as he was in Transylvania? And where are the weird sisters?
I’m a little behind in my reading, but will get caught up today. My cat Joe Joe was diagnosed with diabetes. He’s doing well on his medication for it.One thing about this story — I was reminded of Stephen King. The last vampire novel I had read was ’Salem’s Lot. I believe it was his second book, so very early in a long career. You can tell that King loved Stoker. The narrative pattern, story line, some similarities — it’s there. King used a novelist as the main character.
Mary Lou wrote: "In chapter 20, Harker discovers the missing boxes in two other dilapidated mansions in other neighborhoods strategically surrounding London. The men worry about being caught breaking and entering,..."The non-presence of Dracula is so great because he is on our mind with each page. So there is a presence — but it is in the reader’s hands for now. This is another ingenious literary device, although I don’t know if there is a word for it.
Hi, John. I'm sorry to hear about your cat. Now that he's been diagnosed, I hope his diabetes can be managed well, and that you'll have many more years together.
I read 'salem's Lot probably 25 years ago, and I have no memories it. I went on quite a Stephen King binge back then. I daresay they're too creepy for me these days.
Mod
In chapter 17, Mina visits Dr. Seward and, being a New Woman, is intrigued by the phonograph on whi..."
And hello back to you, Mary Lou!
Like you, I found great interest in the methods of communication in this chapter. Typewriters, sending telegrams, phonographs, the typing of the phonograph words. We have entered the next stage of communication. In Dickens’s D&S we got the presence of the railroad and early sending of telegrams but Dickens stayed mostly in the first part of the 19C.
50 boxes of dirt. Sounds like our group will be busy for chapters tracking it all down. When I read Mina’s words ‘this Thing is not human — not even beast’ it shook me. ‘Thing’ was capitalized! As if a thing can be human.
Mod
Yes. Renfield is a bit off centre, and his eating habits weird.
I too found the detailed description of a vampire’s strengths, actions, powers, vulnerabilities and access points fascinating. A wonderful list of characteristics to keep in mind. The formulation of the group into a hunting party is interesting. We now have human hunters pitched against Dracula. Let the true conflict begin. Both are after blood and bodies.
I feel uneasy. It is obvious that Dracula can shape shift. Human, beast, bat, mist, rat and who knows what else. Does that mean Dracula could assume the ‘shape’ of one of our protagonists? If so, well, that’s a situation to fear.
Mod
Mina sees a mist — think back to the ship and its crew. Mina is now lethargic. Hello!! Does no one, especially Harker, not think hmmm, why? Does no one look at her neck?
21 boxes are missing. Now the hunt is on for not only Dracula but many more potential ‘homes’ for him.
As for the rat infested night search. I don’t trust anyone! There are too many variables.
This book is a wonderful example of how to build suspense, plot, character and anticipation. Dracula seems to be everywhere, and yet nowhere.
Mod
Yes, our views and sightings are now questionable. Was he in the mist that entered Mina’s room? Was he watching in the shade of the basement while boxes were being discovered? Was he the bat on the window ledge?
And talking about bats, holy Batman we need you to help our friends.
I’m loving your tongue in cheek comments Mary Lou!
The suspense is incredible.
In chapter 17, Mina visits Dr. Seward and, being a New Woman, is intrigued by the phonograph on which he records his musings. The two trade journals, but Seward is not ready to disclose the details of Lucy's death and its aftermath to Mina. Will Mina connect her husband's experiences with those of Renfield? Yes! She calls for full transparency ('bout time someone did), and sets about transcribing all the journals, letters, and articles in chronological order... in triplicate! She really does seem to have a knack for organization and recognizing what needs to be done.
In a throwback to last week's comments on physiognomy, Seward meets Harker and remarks, "He is uncommonly clever, if one can judge from his face, and full of energy."
Harker sets out to learn what has happened to all of Dracula's caskets of Romanian dirt. In an unusually humorous passage, he reports on all the drinks he had to buy the laborers to get information from them. He learns that there were fifty boxes delivered to Carfax! Seems excessive. Just how many vampires are roaming England?
Mina takes on Arthur, now Lord Godalming (which I find to be a cumbersome name), and Quincy as confidantes. She mentions the feeling of mothering them, and thinks about the child she may have one day. Foreshadowing? The men, who have both, separately, bared their grief to Mina over Lucy's passing, are grateful for her friendship and vow to be there for her if they're ever needed. Arthur actually specifies if she should ever need a man's help, and Quincy comments that only a woman can provide solace to a man in times of such grief. There are a lot of stereotypes about gender roles here. I'm not generally bothered by such things, but it does make me hope that Mina will be the one to finish off Dracula when the time comes. That feeling will intensify as this week's segment moves along.