Dracula 12

Study Guide Questions for Ch. 12 "Dr. Seward's Diary"

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Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Prudence, Hope, Faith, Providence, Happiness, Death, Fortitude, Decorum, Compassion

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. What situation did Dr. Seward find himself in as when he arrived at Hillingham the morning of September 18?

2. What instructions did Van Helsing give to Dr. Seward concerning rousing the maids from their drugged slumber?

3. What was Lucy’s condition when Van Helsing and Dr. Seward finally reached her?

4. Who providentially showed up at just the right time to be of service to Lucy?

5. What did Van Helsing find when they had moved Lucy to the bath?

6. What was Dr. Seward anxious to avoid taking place which “would surely kill poor Lucy, if nothing else did?”

7. What was the only thing in Quincey’s past experience which he could liken Lucy’s condition to?

8. What “very odd thing occurred” while Lucy was sleeping after (Van Helsing had replaced the memorandum on her person)?

9. What did Dr. Seward observe about Lucy’s appearance while she slept?

10. What good news did Mina Harker attempt to tell Lucy in her letter?

11. What did Renfield do while Dr. Seward had been away?

12. What sad news did Minak Harker attempt to tell Lucy in her second unopened letter?

13. What did Dr. Seward observe about Lucy’s habits while she slept versus when she awoke?

14. What shocking thing did Van Helsing do when Arthur went to kiss Lucy?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. Why did the maids in Lucy’s home open the shutters of the windows but leave down the blinds?

2. What did Van Helsing mean when he said, “A brave man’s blood is the best thing on this earth when a woman is in trouble?”

3. Why was Dr. Seward eager to avoid an “inquest” in regard to the death of Mrs. Westenra?

4. What is your impression of the character of Quincey Morris? What from the texts informs your opinion?

5. Why did Lucy tear up the papers in her sleep?

6. What is to be inferred from the differing appearance of Lucy while asleep versus while awake?

7. Why did Renfield do what he did?

8. What did Van Helsing mean when he said, “It will be much difference, mark me, whether she dies conscious or in her sleep?”

9. Why did Van Helsing so violently oppose Arthur as he tried to kiss Lucy?

10. Why did Lucy call Van Helsing her “true friend” for having held Arthur back as he did?

11. What did Van Helsing mean when he said, in response to Dr. Seward’s statement “It is the end” that it was, rather, “only the beginning?”

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. God seems to have providentially brought Quincey Morris at just the right time to provide help to Lucy and the rest, yet Lucy still died. How should we handle times when it seems like nothing is going our way? What is the natural human tendency when our hopes are disappointed? What should we do, as Christians, when it seems like God’s help isn’t enough? Offer a thoughtful response as to how Christians should deal with severe disappointment.

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read Job 2:11-13. How might we relate this passage to what we see Van Helsing do for Arthur toward the end of Lucy’s life?

2. There is much death in this chapter. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, how are Chrisitan believers supposed to provide comfort to one another when we lose loved ones to death?