Dracula Chapter 8 Flashcards

Study Notes

Chapter 8 Overview

Lucy Westenra sleepwalks outside, revealing a small neck wound.
Count Dracula's boxes are relocated to Carfax.
Mina Murray learns of Jonathan Harker's safety but his strange madness.
Renfield escapes from Dr. Seward’s asylum only to be recaptured on Carfax grounds.

Mina and Lucy’s Relationship

Mina describes an invigorating walk at Robin Hood’s Bay, emphasizing its impact on their appetite.
Lucy’s mother invites a curate to dinner, causing both girls to struggle with fatigue.
Mina finds Lucy missing and is alarmed upon discovering an open front door.

The Graveyard Encounter

Mina discovers Lucy by a grave with a shadowy figure, described as ‘long and black’.
Lucy gasps for breath, revealing two pin-prick wounds on her throat.
The two women return home unnoticed after the encounter.

Ongoing Tension and Fears

Lucy’s health declines; she shares eerie experiences of seeing a large bat.
Mrs. Westenra expresses urgency for Lucy to marry due to her declining health.
Lucy’s wound continues to fester, and her night behaviors heighten Mina's concerns.

Themes of Femininity and New Womanhood

Commentators suggest Lucy and Mina represent emerging feminist ideals but differ in character.
Mina is characterized as ambitious and future-oriented, while Lucy appears frivolous.
Stoker’s portrayal highlights differing perspectives on the ‘New Woman,’ with Mina showing ambivalence.

Dr. Seward’s Perspective

Dr. Seward notes a change in Renfield’s behavior, expressing religious mania and acknowledging his obsession with ‘the master’.
His scientific mindset conflicts with spiritual beliefs, depicting the struggle between faith and reason.
Renfield’s desire to serve his master and subsequent restraint suggest themes of control and obsession.

Symbolism and Metaphor

Mina's experiences with fear reveal the looming threats surrounding Lucy’s character and choices.
Lucy’s actions symbolize a sexual awakening intertwined with danger, related to Dracula.
The motif of duality in their characters illustrates the contrast between innocence and experience.

Societal Critique

Acton’s views on female sexuality reflect Victorian attitudes, emphasizing women's roles in marriage and submission.
Mina's concealment of Lucy’s nighttime escapades critiques societal standards on female behavior and reputation.
Stoker implies that secrecy and societal expectations yield harmful consequences.

Final Reflections

Mina’s narrative style evokes sincerity but also suggests superficiality in her motivations to write.
The interplay of fear and mystery deepens as Lucy's struggles remain hidden from public scrutiny, revealing deeper anxieties within their friendship.
The chapter portrays the tension between personal identities and societal roles amidst creeping darkness introduced by Dracula.

Description

Explore key concepts and summaries from Chapter 8 of 'Dracula'. This flashcard set highlights important events, character actions, and notable descriptions that enhance the understanding of the plot. Perfect for reviewing essential details and preparing for discussions or exams.