Discussion: Dracula, X-XIV
Sorry about the delay, folks! cmsieg and I will work hard to get next week's discussion thread posted on time.
1. Submitted by rachelreads:
While most of Freud's work postdates the publication of Dracula, the 1880s and 90s in which Freud began his work were important decades for the development of psychological theory. To what extent does Stoker seem to be relying on contemporary psychology in constructing the plot of his thriller? Or are his literary motives unaffected by psychological theory?
2. Van Helsing clearly knows what drained Lucy of all her blood. Why do you think he has kept this information away from Dr. Seward and others? The good doctors may have been able to save Lucy's life had she divulged what she knew about what was happening to her. Why didn't she tell what she knew rather than writing it in her memorandum?
3. We know quite a few things about Dracula so far. He can defy gravity, change his appearance, turn into animals, control some animals, is repelled by garlic/crucifixes, and can enthrall people. How do these abilities compare to what modern-day vampire mythology has become?
This week's thread is kinda skimpy, so if you've got some questions/points you didn't get a chance to submit, please include them in your reply. The assignment for next Sunday, June 7 is Chapters XV-XIX.
1. Submitted by rachelreads:
While most of Freud's work postdates the publication of Dracula, the 1880s and 90s in which Freud began his work were important decades for the development of psychological theory. To what extent does Stoker seem to be relying on contemporary psychology in constructing the plot of his thriller? Or are his literary motives unaffected by psychological theory?
2. Van Helsing clearly knows what drained Lucy of all her blood. Why do you think he has kept this information away from Dr. Seward and others? The good doctors may have been able to save Lucy's life had she divulged what she knew about what was happening to her. Why didn't she tell what she knew rather than writing it in her memorandum?
3. We know quite a few things about Dracula so far. He can defy gravity, change his appearance, turn into animals, control some animals, is repelled by garlic/crucifixes, and can enthrall people. How do these abilities compare to what modern-day vampire mythology has become?
This week's thread is kinda skimpy, so if you've got some questions/points you didn't get a chance to submit, please include them in your reply. The assignment for next Sunday, June 7 is Chapters XV-XIX.