Chapter 10
What struck me about chapter 10 is how modern (when I say that I mean Victorian) science and technology plays a key part in Van Helsing's success at defeating Dracula. Although the Victorian mindsets of the characters make it difficult for them to recognize that they are up against a vampire, Van Helsing correctly diagnoses Lucy's condition through science and rationality, not hearsay and folklore. What is interesting is that although he is a rationalist scientist, he also practices the occult. For example, his blood transfusions are an example of 'modern' medicine, but his use of garlic suggest otherwise.
What else is interesting is that Helsing is from Amsterdam, halfway between England and Transylvania, this could symbolise sort of a middle-ground, he is neither good nor evil, or more likely, he is a much more 'knowing character'.
Chapter 11
I thought this chapter shows more obviously the idea of a slipping between madness and sanity - portrayed when Dr Seward begins to doubt his working at the asylum and if it is contributing to his growing confusion between the two.We also see how cunning the Count can be; although he cannot break the window of Lucy's room as a vampire (because of the garlic), he transforms into a wolf to do the deed. I also liked how in this chapter, Dr Seward see his old master, Van Helsing, break down and lose control- (because Mrs Westenra has removed all the flowers etc from Lucy's room and opened the window to 'let in some air'). I also find the narrative irony funny in Lucy's diary entry - although she claims to be feeling much better she ''can hear something funny flapping around outside the window" HA. Silly girl.
