Dracula 22

Study Guide Questions for Ch. 22 “Jonathan Harker’s Journal”

If you are looking for the beginning of the study of Bram Stoker’s Dracula then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. If you would like to see the growing list of available book studies available for free on this site you can go HERE. Enjoy!

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

Faith, Light vs. Darkness, Prudence, Hope

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. What was “the very first thing” which the group decided upon concerning things moving forward?

2. What did Mina say she would do if she saw in herself “a sign of harm to any” of the people whom she loves?

3. What did the group place in Mina’s charge from now on?

4. In what manner did they determine to get into Dracula’s house on Piccadilly Street without drawing attention?

5. What did the group decide they should do first before heading to the Piccadilly street residence?

6. How did Mina incur a wound on her forehead?

7. What did Jonathan make up his mind to do if “Mina must be a vampire in the end?”

8. In what manner were Dracula’s boxes of earth made useless to him?

9. What was missing from the house in Piccadilly which may present a challenge to the group in their goal of destroying Dracula?

10. What personal items of Dracula’s did the group find in the dining room?

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

1. Why might the group have decided that “Mina should be in full confidence” and no longer be left outside of the meetings as before?

2. What did Van Helsing mean by stating the proverb “the quickest way home is the longest way?”

3. Why did Van Helsing think that the vast amount of traffic around the Piccadilly residence might actually work to their advantage? What general principles about people, if any, might we draw from his observations here?

4. Why might it have been difficult for the group to decide whether or not to start with destroying the boxes at Carfax first?

5. Why did the “host” harm Mina when it touched her?

6. Why does placing part of the “host” in the boxes sterilize it?

7. Why do you think one of the boxes they expected to find is missing from the Piccadilly house?

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

1. Mina said that she would take her own life rather than allow herself to harm, as a vampire, those whom she loved. Do you agree with her that this would be the right thing to do? Why or why not?

2. More generally than the previous question, what are your thoughts about taking one’s own life? Is it sometimes a noble thing to do? Is it always sinful and selfish? If you think it is sometimes permissible (or even noble) explain what circumstances would call for such an action. If it is never acceptable, why not? Under what basis would you scorn all notions of suicide?

3. What is your opinion of Jonathan’s decision concerning what he would do if Mina were to become a vampire? Why do you think he thinks as he does and would you feel the same in his shoes? Why or why not?

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read 1 Samuel 31 and 2 Samuel 1. How do these passage impact the question of suicide and assisted suicide?

2. Consider the story of Ahithophel in 2 Samuel 17 and of Judas in Matthew 27. What light (or perspective) does Scripture seem consistently put upon those who take their own life? How should this affect our thinking about the matter?