Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-2-chapters-3-4 [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature.md) › [OCR](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr.md) › [English Lit: OCR A Level Dracula](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula.md) › Chapters 3-4 # Chapters 3-4 English Lit: OCR A Level Dracula, topic 3.1.2 ## Chapters 3-4: Summary and Analysis Here's a summary and an analysis of Chapters 3-4: ### Plot summary ![Plot summary](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/ead86195-f203-48fa-be62-433529a95b50/biology8.jpg) - Jonathan’s horror at being Dracula’s prisoner increases as he witnesses the Count crawling, lizard-like, down the Castle wall to access the lower levels before he has an intense encounter with three female-vampires. - Dracula prepares to leave for England and Jonathan, entering the castle crypt by copying the Count’s lizard-crawl, is appalled to find him lying in a box of earth. ### Lizard simile ![Lizard simile](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/c5471e01-34dd-4764-a79e-396d0d37649c/-iguana-lizard-gecko-reptile--min.jpg) - Dracula’s monstrous nature continues to be gradually revealed as Jonathan witnesses him climbing down the castle walls, __“mov[ing] downwards with considerable speed, just as a lizard moves along a wall.”__ - The simile again highlights the Count’s zoomorphic attributes and how he is able to transcend the boundaries between humans and animals. ### Darwin's influence ![Darwin's influence](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/2ca1e967-9fbf-4ce7-b275-21fa4fcea775/charles-darwin-evolution.jpg) - In 1859, Charles Darwin's _On the Origin of the Species_ controversially suggested there was a greater link between human beings and animals and, whilst Dracula is never compared to a primate, his reptilian movements here reflect his cold-blooded and callous characteristics. ### The female vampires ![The female vampires](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-10/126deaec-1f5b-4c64-a5c6-1db1d64c987b/vampire-fangs-.png) - The reader is then introduced to three additional vampires, initially taking the form of beautiful women. - Jonathan is clearly attracted to them, despite his commitment to Mina: __"I felt in my heart a wicked, burning desire that they would kiss me with those red lips.”__ - The use of the adjective __“wicked”__ overtly states that Jonathan knows his thoughts are sinful, yet he is in the thrall of these women. ### Predatory natures ![Predatory natures](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/ce172744-2107-42f7-b63c-5e4fbe95cde7/shutterstock_632097386.jpg) - The vampires, like Count Dracula, are shown to be predatory in nature. - There is obvious subversion of innocent imagery in one of them having __“fair hair”__ yet this is juxtaposed against her powerful advance towards Jonathan. ## Chapters 3-4: Analysis (Cont.) Here's an analysis of Chapters 3-4: ### Sexualisation of the vampires ![Sexualisation of the vampires](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-10/1953f611-48fa-4ba9-a3d0-2e86db40cd0b/female-vampire-.jpg) - The behaviour of the three female-vampires is highly sexualised - acting as a representation of ‘fallen women’ (a euphemism often used to describe prostitutes). - The scene would likely shock a Victorian readership with its allusions to sexual activity. - When Jonathan closes his __“eyes in a languorous ecstasy and waited – waited with beating heart”__ he appears to be on the verge of an orgasm. ### Dracula's interruption ![Dracula's interruption](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/1eba40e7-7ee9-4115-95ce-f8875f90bbd9/muscle%20man%2014.30.38.jpg) - However, the vampires are interrupted by Dracula who, revealing his terrible strength as he __“hurls”__ one of the females away from Jonathan. The effeminate portrayal of Harker continues as, overcome with terror, he loses all consciousness. ### Doppelganger introduced ![Doppelganger introduced](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/21f87e96-86da-4c2e-a20f-2e04fabe7cc3/shutterstock_548965408.jpg) - In Chapter 4, the Gothic motif of the Doppelganger (double) is introduced. - Having witnessed the Count wearing his own suit, Jonathan mimics his lizard-like movements down the castle wall and discovers the crypt. - The climb down is symbolic of a descent into Hell and foreshadows the discovery of Dracula lying in a box of Earth in his un-dead state, full of fresh blood, having gouged like a leech. ### Jonathan's concerns ![Jonathan's concerns](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/7b7712cb-0272-48db-8e21-a621f08e393a/frankenstein-.jpg) - Jonathan’s concern that once in London, Dracula may __“create a new and ever-widening circle of semi-demons to batten on the helpless”__ evokes Victor Frankenstein’s concern over his creature’s request for a female companion whilst also reflecting Xenophobic attitudes towards outsiders and foreigners that were common amongst Victorian society. ### Contemplating death ![Contemplating death](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-10/6218e27b-2135-4b3a-aa09-1e133e620f59/grave-.jpg) - The first part of the novel ends with Jonathan contemplating his death and escape from the monstrous female vampires: __“At least God’s mercy is better than that of these monsters, and the precipice is steep and high. At its foot a man may sleep – as a man. Goodbye, all! Mina!”__ ## Test yourself on Chapters 3-4 - How does Stoker subvert traditions of innocence when he describes the female vampires? - How does Stoker portray Dracula's strength in the face of Jonathan's weakness? - What does Jonathan mimic in Chapter 4? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/508a7828-52ed-48a3-9259-00e65066f4c7/section/ff02377f-9beb-491a-9a05-4e035a3e9b79/session) - Previous topic: [3.1.1 Chapters 1-2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-1-chapters-1-2.md) - Next topic: [3.1.3 Chapters 5-7](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-3-chapters-5-7.md) ## English Lit: OCR A Level Dracula contents ### 1 Context - Gothic Literature - 1.1 Origins & Conventions of Gothic Literature - [1.1.1 Origins of Gothic Literature](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/1-1-1-origins-of-gothic-literature.md) - [1.1.2 Key Ideas in Gothic Literature](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/1-1-2-key-ideas-in-gothic-literature.md) - [1.1.3 Gothic Genre Conventions in Dracula](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/1-1-3-gothic-genre-conventions-in-dracula.md) - 1.2 Vampires in Gothic Literature - [1.2.1 Vampires](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/1-2-1-vampires.md) - 1.3 'Terror' & 'Horror' - [1.3.1 Ann Radcliffe & Lewis' The Monk](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/1-3-1-ann-radcliffe-and-lewis-the-monk.md) - [1.3.2 'Terror' & 'Horror' in Dracula](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/1-3-2-terror-and-horror-in-dracula.md) - 1.4 Narrative Features - [1.4.1 First-Person Narration & Epistolary Format](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/1-4-1-first-person-narration-and-epistolary-format.md) ### 2 Context - The Victorian Era - 2.1 The Victorian Era - [2.1.1 Fin de Siecle](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/2-1-1-fin-de-siecle.md) - [2.1.2 The 'New Woman'](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/2-1-2-the-new-woman.md) - [2.1.3 The Contagious Diseases Act](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/2-1-3-the-contagious-diseases-act.md) ### 3 Chapter Summaries & Analyses - 3.1 Chapter Summaries & Analyses - [3.1.1 Chapters 1-2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-1-chapters-1-2.md) - [3.1.2 Chapters 3-4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-2-chapters-3-4.md) - [3.1.3 Chapters 5-7](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-3-chapters-5-7.md) - [3.1.4 Chapters 8-10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-4-chapters-8-10.md) - [3.1.5 Chapters 11-12](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-5-chapters-11-12.md) - [3.1.6 Chapters 13-14](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-6-chapters-13-14.md) - [3.1.7 Chapters 15-16](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-7-chapters-15-16.md) - [3.1.8 Chapters 17-18](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-8-chapters-17-18.md) - [3.1.9 Chapters 19-20](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-9-chapters-19-20.md) - [3.1.10 Chapters 21-23](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-10-chapters-21-23.md) - [3.1.11 Chapters 24-25](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-11-chapters-24-25.md) - [3.1.12 Chapters 26-27](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/3-1-12-chapters-26-27.md) ### 4 Character Profiles - 4.1 Archetypal Gothic Characters - [4.1.1 Stock & Proppian Gothic Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/4-1-1-stock-and-proppian-gothic-characters.md) - 4.2 Count Dracula - [4.2.1 Count Dracula: Character Profile](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/4-2-1-count-dracula-character-profile.md) - [4.2.2 Count Dracula: Different Literary Perspectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/4-2-2-count-dracula-different-literary-perspectives.md) - 4.3 Other Main Characters - [4.3.1 Jonathan Harker](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/4-3-1-jonathan-harker.md) - [4.3.2 Dr Abraham Van Helsing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/4-3-2-dr-abraham-van-helsing.md) - [4.3.3 Dr Jack Seward](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/4-3-3-dr-jack-seward.md) - [4.3.4 Mina Harker](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/4-3-4-mina-harker.md) - [4.3.5 Lucy Westenra](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/4-3-5-lucy-westenra.md) - 4.4 Minor Characters - [4.4.1 Arthur Holmwood & Quincey Morris](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/4-4-1-arthur-holmwood-and-quincey-morris.md) - [4.4.2 Renfield](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/4-4-2-renfield.md) ### 5 Key Ideas - 5.1 Key Ideas - [5.1.1 Transgression of Boundaries](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/5-1-1-transgression-of-boundaries.md) - [5.1.2 The Supernatural & Un-dead](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/5-1-2-the-supernatural-and-un-dead.md) - [5.1.3 Masculinity & Femininity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/5-1-3-masculinity-and-femininity.md) - [5.1.4 Science, Modernity & Superstition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/5-1-4-science-modernity-and-superstition.md) - [5.1.5 Madness, Illness & Confinement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/5-1-5-madness-illness-and-confinement.md) ### 6 Writing Techniques - 6.1 Writing Techniques - [6.1.1 Epistolary Form & Narrative Voice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/6-1-1-epistolary-form-and-narrative-voice.md) - [6.1.2 Intertextuality & Cultural References](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/6-1-2-intertextuality-and-cultural-references.md) - [6.1.3 Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/6-1-3-structure.md) ### 7 Critical Debates & Interpretations - 7.1 Initial Reception of Dracula - [7.1.1 Initial Reception of Dracula](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/7-1-1-initial-reception-of-dracula.md) - 7.2 Modern Reception of Dracula - [7.2.1 Modern Reception of Dracula](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/dracula/7-2-1-modern-reception-of-dracula.md)