Dracula Study Guide Questions Mr. Rose – Moeller High School
Dracula Study Guide Questions
Chapter 1
1. ‘Transylvania’ means ‘the land beyond the forest’. In what ways does Stoker create the
impression that Jonathan is traveling to a part of the world beyond the reach of an
ordinary Victorian reader?
2. What do we learn about Jonathan from the observations he makes about his exotic
surroundings?
3. How does Stoker create an atmosphere of suspense in the opening sections of this
chapter?
4. How does Jonathan react when faced with sights for which he can find no rational
explanation?
Chapter 2, 3 and 4
5. How do the descriptions of Castle Dracula fit in with Gothic Literature conventions?
6. How does Stoker describe the Count? What are the effects of this description?
7. “I think strange things which I dare not confess to my own soul.” What is the
significance of this statement?
8. What two strange things happen when Jonathan is shaving?
9. How does Jonathan respond to the realization that he is a prisoner? Why is it ironic that
he considers his crucifix to be a “comfort and a strength”?
10. What does Jonathan turn to “for repose”?
11. How does Stoker create a sense of horror in Jonathan’s encounter with the women?
12. How does Stoker convey Jonathan’s despair when he sees he count sliding down the
wall carrying the “terrible bag”?
13. Who does Jonathan turn to for help when the Count ‘leaves’ and Jonathan sees the
women again?
14. How has the Count changed when Jonathan sees him in his ‘coffin’ for the final time?
Chapter 5 and 6
15. What do we learn about Lucy and Mina from their early letters to each other?
16. How does Dr. Seward decide to cope with Lucy’s rejection of him?
17. What do we learn about Renfield from Dr. Seward?
18. How is Whitby presented as a somewhat mysterious town?
19. How does Stoker create a sense of danger and revulsion in the section where Renfield
begs for a kitten?
20. Why is Mina worried about Lucy?
21. What is the significance of Mr. Swales to the narrative?
Chapter 7 and 8
22. What is the effect of including a newspaper report within the narrative?
23. How does Stoker use the story of the Demeter to create suspense?
24. How is Gothic imagery used in the section where Mina searches for and finds Lucy?
