Chapters 11-12

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Chapters 11-12: Summary and Analysis

Here's a summary and an analysis of Chapters 11-12:

Plot summary

Back in London, Lucy’s mother inadvertently interferes with Van Helsing’s attempt to protect Lucy from Dracula.
Dracula releases a wolf from the zoo which results in the death of Lucy's mother.
After her mother's death, Lucy succumbs to her illness and dies.

Garlic-remedy

Van Helsing’s garlic-remedy is rooted in superstition - affirming Seward’s cataphoric reference to him having “an absolutely open mind" in the previous Chapter.

Irony - Lucy's mother's claim

There is an element of dark-comedy (frequently utilised in Gothic literature) in Lucy’s mother taking credit for Lucy’s improved condition as she innocently explains how she has removed “those horrible, strong-smelling flowers” and opened “the window to let in a little fresh air.”
However, the gravity of the situation soon becomes apparent as Van Helsing raises his “hands over his head in a sort of mute despair, and then beat his palms together in a helpless way.”

Narrative jump

To further accentuate the tension, Stoker presents the next sequence of events in a non-linear structure.
The narrative jumps to the next day with an interview from The Pall Mall Gazette. The reader recognises the same description of the Count as told by the zookeeper - although, as of yet does not understand the significance of ‘Old Bersicker’ returning covered in fragments of glass.

Chapters 11-12: Analysis (Cont.)

Here's an analysis of Chapters 11-12:

The Memorandum

The Memorandum left by Lucy evokes a real sense of Gothic terror.
Lucy’s mother is terrified at the sight of the wolf, so much so that it brings on a heart attack.
Both Lucy and her mother are presented as typical passive victims.

Dracula's malevolent character

Dracula’s malevolent, calculating character is demonstrated through his drugging of the Westenra servants.
With Lucy’s observing how the “air seems full of specks, floating and circling in the draught from the window” readers recall Jonathan’s earlier experience with the three female-vampires (perhaps also foreshadowing Lucy’s transformation) and fear the worst.

Blood in Lucy's veins

As the blood transfusions fail to save Lucy, there is a certain irony in Arthur stating how he feels married to his fiance as she has his blood in her veins; in this way, Lucy - who earlier expressed her playful annoyance at not being able to marry as many men as she likes - has also received donated blood from Seward, Quincey Morris and Van Helsing.

Lucy's promiscuity

Stoker presents the vampiric curse as Lucy’s (possibly) latent promiscuity is released with her imploring Arthur to kiss her, only for Van Helsing stopping him - paralleling the Count’s actions with the female-vampires “hurling” Arthur across the room to safety.

Lucy's death

With Lucy’s death, the other men are relieved that the ordeal is finally over and believe that their love is now at peace.
Only Van Helsing (and likely the reader) know otherwise, as shown by his ominous final words: “It is only the beginning”.

1Context - Gothic Literature

1.1Origins & Conventions of Gothic Literature

1.1.1Origins of Gothic Literature

1.1.2Key Ideas in Gothic Literature

1.1.3Gothic Genre Conventions in Dracula

1.2Vampires in Gothic Literature

1.2.1Vampires

1.3'Terror' & 'Horror'

1.3.1Ann Radcliffe & Lewis' The Monk

1.3.2'Terror' & 'Horror' in Dracula

1.4Narrative Features

1.4.1First-Person Narration & Epistolary Format

2Context - The Victorian Era

2.1The Victorian Era

2.1.1Fin de Siecle

2.1.2The 'New Woman'

2.1.3The Contagious Diseases Act

3Chapter Summaries & Analyses

3.1Chapter Summaries & Analyses

3.1.1Chapters 1-2

3.1.2Chapters 3-4

3.1.3Chapters 5-7

3.1.4Chapters 8-10

3.1.5Chapters 11-12

3.1.6Chapters 13-14

3.1.7Chapters 15-16

3.1.8Chapters 17-18

3.1.9Chapters 19-20

3.1.10Chapters 21-23

3.1.11Chapters 24-25

3.1.12Chapters 26-27

4Character Profiles

4.1Archetypal Gothic Characters

4.1.1Stock & Proppian Gothic Characters

4.2Count Dracula

4.2.1Count Dracula: Character Profile

4.2.2Count Dracula: Different Literary Perspectives

4.3Other Main Characters

4.3.1Jonathan Harker

4.3.2Dr Abraham Van Helsing

4.3.3Dr Jack Seward

4.3.4Mina Harker

4.3.5Lucy Westenra

4.4Minor Characters

4.4.1Arthur Holmwood & Quincey Morris

4.4.2Renfield

5Key Ideas

5.1Key Ideas

5.1.1Transgression of Boundaries

5.1.2The Supernatural & Un-dead

5.1.3Masculinity & Femininity

5.1.4Science, Modernity & Superstition

5.1.5Madness, Illness & Confinement

6Writing Techniques

6.1Writing Techniques

6.1.1Epistolary Form & Narrative Voice

6.1.2Intertextuality & Cultural References

6.1.3Structure

7Critical Debates & Interpretations

7.1Initial Reception of Dracula

7.1.1Initial Reception of Dracula

7.2Modern Reception of Dracula

7.2.1Modern Reception of Dracula

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