Lucy Becomes a Vampire

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Lucy becomes a vampire

Decide in which of the quotations below …

Mina

· denies herself knowledge

· presents herself as a model for Lucy.

Lucy

· is a sexualised being as a vampire

· is increasingly presenting love in physical terms

· is shown to be different when awake than asleep (two examples)

· is presented as self-indulgent and vain

· is presented as domineering

· is presented as promiscuous

· is presented as voracious

· unwittingly foreshadows her own death

· Lucy’s physical beauty is commented upon.

Arthur

· is presented as pure and noble.

‘I would never open it unless it were for his own dear sake or for the sake of some stern duty.’ (Chapter 9 p.139) / ‘I want you to see now … whither duty has led me’ (Chapter 9 p.140)
‘appetite like a cormorant’ (Chapter 9 p.141) / ‘Arthur says I am getting fat.’ (Chapter 9 p.141)
“He is so young and strong and of blood so pure that we need not defibrinate it” (Chapter 10 p.161) / “No sitting up for you tonight… I am quite well again; indeed, I am” (Chapter 10 p.165)
‘I seem to feel his presence warm about me…health and strength give Love rein.’ (Chapter 10 p.166) / ‘lying like Ophelia in the play’ (Chapter 11 p.173)
‘Whilst asleep she looked stronger, although more haggard, and her breathing was softer; her open mouth showed the pale gums drawn back from the teeth, which looked positively longer and sharper than usual; when she woke the softness of her eyes evidently changed the expression.’ (Chapter 12 p.198-199) / ‘It struck me as curious that the moment she became conscious she pressed the garlic flowers close to her. It was certainly odd that whenever she got into that lethargic state… she put the flowers from her; but that when she waked she clutched them close’ (Chapter 12 p.207)
“Kiss me!” (Chapter 12 p.172) / ‘God! how beautiful she was. Every hour seemed to be enhancing her loveliness.’ (Chapter 13 p.218)
“this so sweet maid is a polyandrist, and me… even I, who am faithful husband to this now-no-wife, am bigamist.” (Chapter 13 p.227)

For your consideration

Why do you think Stoker never shows us Dracula’s kiss from Lucy’s perspective?

Read

1. Van Helsing’s letter to Mina (p.232)

2. Van Helsing’s address to Mina, beginning ‘Oh Madam Mina’ (on pp.237-238)

3. Seward’s account of encountering Lucy the vampire from ‘There lay Lucy’ (p.257) and then his account of vanquishing her (p.270) ‘There was a long spell of silence …’.

Draw as many points of comparison between Mina and Lucy as you can.