Discussion: Dracula, XV-XIX

[yemeron]

Here I am, posting this week's discussion thread on time. See, I'm a woman of my word! ;)

1. Submitted by rachelreads:
What do you make of Renfield's sudden (and somewhat random) philosophizing, and his moments of lucidity? Is he really a madman, or is something else at play

Comments

[rachelreads]

Thanks for the shout-out! :)

2. What are your thoughts on the role of sexuality in Dracula? In what ways was Stoker able to convey that vampires are sexual beings? What was his ultimate commentary on human sexuality in his day?

It's funny... I've glossed right over several sexual scenes only to realize, a few pages later, that what I Had just read what supposed to be some sort of sexual metaphor or allegory. How desensitized modern culture seems to have made me!

I think that, for Victorian readers, the close contact between Dracula and the female characters is quite risque. As it was not considered appropriate for married or engaged women to have such close physical contact with another man, especially a stranger, the night trysts are that much more significant. (I'll go into more detail in #4 below).

3. Van Helsing is clearly a man of science and faith. It is his faith that is most beneficial to him in his fight against Count Dracula. Was Stoker trying to relay some sort of message against relying too heavily on science, or