Dracula+DL+BrianM


 * Dracula Ch 9 - 12 Analysis**

Important theme of chapter 9 - 12

//“Supernatural vs the Science”//

Through Chapter 9 to 12 well demonstrates limits of Western science. In this chapter Dr.Seward is unable to understand Lucy’s reason for ill as well as how to cure this ill. Dr. Seward says in his diary “I was thunderstruck, for such a thing as a patient getting of his own accord into the superintendent’s study is almost unknown...” and through this quote it clearly demonstrates that Dracula’s assault cannot be cured or reasoned by Western science and reason. Only legend and superstitions are effective in fighting and this example is shown in chapter 11 when professor Van Helsing puts white garlic all over Lucy’s room. Therefore in these chapters shows that how advancements of science and reasoning is useless when they are faced by supernatural powers like Dracula. This also portrays how victorian society viewed advancement of Science. Although Van Helsing tried to cure Lucy by blood transfusion, but after another his knowledge are no longer restricted by the teachings of western medicine. Instead he places garlic flowers to cure Lucy’s illness.


 * Critical Passage**

//“With regards to Miss Westenra’s health I hasten to let you know at once that in my opinion there is no any functional disturbance or any malady that I know of. At the same time, I am not by any means satisfied with her appearance; she is woefully different from what she was when I saw her last. Of course you must bear in mid that I did not have full opportunity of examination such as I should wish; our very friendship makes a little difficulty which not even medical science or custom can bridge over. I had better tell you exactly what happened, leaving you to draw, in a measure your own conclusions. I shall then say what I have done and propose Doing”// //-Page 64 chapter 10 First Paragraph//

I think this is one of the most important passage through chapter 9 to 12. This part of the passage shows Seward’s inability to reason Lucy’s illness and moreover demonstrate how Dracula’s assault exposes the limits of western science, medicine as well as their reason. Only legend and superstition are effective fighting the Dracula. Even with many advancements of medical and science during Victorian Era are proven to be useless against supernatural powers like Dracula.


 * Literary Devices**

//page 71 4th paragraph//

//“It at once occurred to me that this wound, or whatever it was might be the means of the manifest loss of blood”//

Symbolism The word “blood” symbolizes several things in the novel. It symbolizes extension of physical life. Rather then gaining eternal spiritual wine that has been blessed to symbolize Christ’s blood, Dracula consume human blood for his survival but quite soulless life.

//Page 69 3rd paragraph//

//"She was ghastly, chalkily pale; the red seemed to have gone even from her lips and gums, and the bones of her faces stood out prominently; her breathing was painful to see or hear"//

Metaphor The "chalkily pale" demonstrate the state of Lucy's current health. This is significant because all of her physical characteristics are becoming "unhuman." Espacially the Chlkily pale and becoming thin foreshadows Lucy's change in the future.

Part 3 Reflection

Throughout the discussions I was able to learn different kinds of themes and literary devices that Bram Stoker utilizes. I think the pros of this activity is that we can build constructive thoughts of how we can put the section we’ve read together to give better comprehension to the students. Through the orderly debate between two different sides we were able to hear students opinions on fate of Lucy in this section. So I think the debate helped us alot to comprehend this section of the book. Although there are pros I still think there were some cons. For instance whoever is doing the discussion leader will have to judge from neutral point of view and this is very difficult to do so because we have to try to avoid judging the debate and discussion in bias form. However, overall this “discussion leader” activity is very useful for learning purposes for the students and the leaders.