Dracula Chapter 21

The whole of this chapter is from Seward's diary. He begins by describing Renfield's condition. The patient has both a severely injured face, which is where the blood is coming from, and a broken back. The attendant cannot figure out how he managed to do such damage to both body parts. Seward sends for Van Helsing, and Quincey and Arthur come as well. Once they are alone with Renfield, Van Helsing operates on him to get him to the point where he can answer their questions. He is barely able to speak, but manages to tell them what happened before he dies.

He explains that he was sane when they last spoke, except for the fact that he felt powerless to warn them of the Count's visit. That night, Dracula came in the form of mist, then solidified to his natural form. He offered Renfield millions of souls - rats, cats and dogs - if only Renfield would invite him into the house. The madman did so and Dracula brushed by him, onto another purpose. When he saw Mina again, he could tell that Dracula had been taking the life out of her, which made him angry. When Dracula came again, this night, Renfield tried to stop him, using the reputed power of the madman. The Count simply lifted him up and threw him to the ground.

The four men realize that there is no time to waste and so rush to the Harker's room, pausing only to get their supplies. They break open the door and are stunned by what they see. Jonathan is lying on the bed in a trance. Mina is kneeling on the bed. By her is the Count.

"With his left hand he held both Mrs. Harker's hands, keeping them away with her arms at full tension; his right hand gripped her by the back of the neck, forcing her face down on his bosom. Her white nightdress was smeared with blood, and a thin stream trickled down the man's bare breast, which was shown by his torn open dress." Chapter 21, pg. 310-11

Topic Tracking: Sexuality 9

The men move forward, crucifixes held out. Dracula disappears and Mina screams. As the doctors rush to the couple's aid, Quincey Morris runs outside to try and track the Count. Lord Godalming checks the rest of the house. Quincey finds that a bat flew from Renfield's window to some place other than Carfax. Arthur finds that Dracula has burned all of their records, except for the copy in the safe.

Jonathan and Mina collect themselves and Mina recounts what occurred. Dracula entered in the form of mist and turned into a man. He cast a sleeping spell on Jonathan and entranced Mina, telling her he had fed from her before. He threatened to kill Jonathan. He told her that her friends were fools for trying to match wits with him, who had commanded entire armies. For her part in the plan, he would punish her by making her a slave to his command, a sort of homing pigeon who will come when his brain calls her. This is accomplished by her feeding from his blood, which is what was happening when they entered. Her husband merely listens to her and comforts her.