Questions and Answers
What do Dr. Seward and Arthur Holmwood notice about Lucy Westenra in death?
Who takes charge of Lucy's writing to prevent it from falling into the hands of strangers?
Van Helsing
Dr. Seward has a hysterical fit of laughter after Lucy's funeral.
True
Before retiring for the night, Dr. Seward finds it difficult to believe he is looking at a ______.
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What objects does Van Helsing put on Lucy's mouth and bed?
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Whose funeral does Arthur attend, while also grieving for Lucy?
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What does Arthur question Dr. Seward about Lucy during dinner?
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Mina is unconcerned and stays indifferent about Lucy's death.
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The newspaper article reports on missing children and the ______.
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What does Dr. Seward remark on regarding the professionals that attend to the dead?
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Stoker drawn much attention to Lucy's physical attractiveness before this point in the novel.
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Match the following statements about Lucy:
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What do Van Helsing's remarks inferred from Arthur's words suggest about Lucy?
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The children being aware of Lucy's beauty indicates their understanding of her vampire nature.
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How does Stoker's representation of death differ from Dickens?
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Study Notes
Summary of Key Events
- Dr. Seward and Arthur Holmwood observe Lucy Westenra's beautiful, lifelike appearance in death, indicating a disconnect between her physical death and her ongoing allure.
- Jonathan Harker spots a youthful Count Dracula in London, hinting at Dracula's ability to rejuvenate, which unsettles Harker.
- Van Helsing reacts with laughter after Lucy's funeral, suggesting a complex emotional response to the grim circumstances.
Funeral Preparations
- Arthur attends his father's funeral while preparing for Lucy's burial, and Van Helsing takes precautions to manage Lucy's papers to prevent exploitation from outsiders.
- The mourners reflect on Lucy's beauty, emphasizing society's fascination with death rituals.
Aftermath of Lucy's Death
- Dr. Seward struggles to reconcile Lucy’s lifeless form with her previous vitality. Van Helsing instructs him on the need for drastic actions to prevent her from becoming undead.
- Van Helsing's caution is validated when he learns a maid has stolen a protective crucifix from Lucy, delaying their intentions.
Inheritance and Mourning
- Lucy's wealth is inherited by Arthur, who expresses his emotional turmoil and faith in Van Helsing as he processes his grief and doubts about Lucy's death.
- Van Helsing decorates Lucy’s coffin with garlic and flowers, symbolizing protective measures against her potential undead state.
Jonathan and Mina’s Storyline
- Jonathan and Mina Harker attend the funeral of Hawkins, their benefactor, where Jonathan is troubled by seeing Dracula.
- Mina expresses concern for Jonathan, indicating their evolving relationship amid rising tensions in the narrative.
Van Helsing’s Hysterical Reaction
- During Lucy's funeral described by Dr. Seward, Van Helsing’s inappropriate laughter highlights his complex emotional state and hints at the absurdity surrounding their grim reality.
Children's Disappearances
- Newspaper articles report on missing children connected to the mysterious 'bloofer lady', hinting at a supernatural threat related to Lucy's transformation into a vampire.
Victorian Perspectives on Death
- Stoker critiques Victorian funeral rituals, juxtaposing the emotional gravity of loss with the mundane and detached attitudes of professionals in the death industry.
- Lucy's posthumous beauty becomes an unsettling focal point for those who mourn her, suggesting life after death and her impending vampiric nature.
The Nature of Lucy's Attractiveness
- Lucy’s physical appeal had not been emphasized earlier in the story but becomes central as mourners reflect on her enhanced beauty in death, reinforcing her complexity.
- Van Helsing and others are left questioning the implications of Lucy's attractiveness and its connection to her potential as an undead entity.
Dr. Seward’s Response to Van Helsing
- Seward shows surprising restraint towards Van Helsing's macabre plan, indicating an emerging alliance and shared understanding of the seriousness of their circumstances.
Intertextual Themes
- Stoker references Jonathan Lavater's observations on beauty in death, reflecting on societal views of mortality and aesthetic appreciation.
- Mina Harker’s perspective suggests her evolving role in the narrative as she indirectly aligns her emotions with Arthur and Lucy's tragic fate.
Van Helsing's Characterization
- Van Helsing’s unique form of humor and perspective on the macabre situates him as a figure of wisdom, contrasting with the reactions of younger characters through a lens of ironic compassion.
Themes of Sexuality and Innocence
- Arthur’s declaration of a blood bond as a form of marriage introduces themes of polyandry and cuckoldry linked to Lucy's vampiric relationships.
- Stoker portrays children as innocent victims, emphasizing their vulnerability amid the horror while preserving their sexual innocence in relation to Lucy’s vampire persona.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key events from Chapter 3 of 'Dracula', focusing on the aftermath of Lucy Westenra's death and the reactions of the main characters. This quiz explores themes of beauty, death, and resurrection as seen through the eyes of Dr. Seward and Van Helsing.
