Chapter 18 Practice Quiz — Dracula
by Bram Stoker — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: Chapter 18
Why does Mina want to visit Renfield in Chapter 18?
She has read about him in Dr. Seward's diary and is fascinated by his case. She senses a link between Renfield and the broader mystery surrounding Dracula.
How does Renfield behave when Mina visits him?
He speaks with remarkable eloquence and rationality, discussing philosophy, repudiating his former madness, and treating Mina with courtesy and respect while showing contempt toward Seward.
What does Renfield do before allowing Mina into his room?
He asks for a minute to "tidy up" and then quickly swallows all the flies and spiders in his boxes before Seward can stop him.
What is Renfield's farewell to Mina?
"Goodbye, my dear. I pray God I may never see your sweet face again. May He bless and keep you!" -- a chilling warning that hints at the danger Dracula poses to her.
Why does Van Helsing insist Mina must be excluded from the vampire hunt?
He argues she is too precious to risk, that the horrors could damage her nerves and haunt her dreams, and that as a young married woman she may have "other things to think of" (motherhood).
What dramatic irony results from excluding Mina?
By removing her from their councils and leaving her alone at the asylum, the men inadvertently make her vulnerable to Dracula's attack -- the very danger they sought to prevent.
What physical gesture seals the group's compact against Dracula?
Van Helsing lays his golden crucifix on the table and all six characters join hands in a circle, forming a quasi-religious covenant.
How does each character respond to Van Helsing's call to fight Dracula?
Jonathan answers for himself and Mina; Quincey says "Count me in"; Godalming pledges "for Lucy's sake"; Seward simply nods.
According to Van Helsing, what are three of Dracula's shapeshifting abilities?
He can transform into a wolf, become a bat, and travel as mist or elemental dust on moonlight rays.
What limitation prevents Dracula from entering a building?
He cannot enter anywhere for the first time unless someone in the household invites him in, though afterward he can come as he pleases.
When can Dracula change his form if he is not at his earth-home?
Only at noon or at exact sunrise or sunset. At other times, he is fixed in whatever form he currently holds.
What sacred objects repel or weaken Dracula?
Garlic, crucifixes, and other sacred symbols. A branch of wild rose on his coffin prevents him from leaving it, and a sacred bullet fired into his coffin can kill him.
Who is Arminius, and what information does he provide?
Arminius is Van Helsing's friend at the University of Buda-Pesth. He researches Dracula's historical identity as the Voivode Dracula who fought the Turks and was reputed to have dealings with the Evil One.
What is the Scholomance?
A legendary school in the mountains over Lake Hermanstadt where the devil claims the tenth scholar as his due. The Dracula family allegedly studied dark arts there.
Why does Quincey Morris fire a pistol during the meeting?
He notices a large bat sitting on the windowsill during Van Helsing's lecture and goes outside to shoot at it. The bullet shatters the window glass but the bat escapes into the wood.
What does the bat at the window symbolize?
Dracula's surveillance of his enemies. The bat appears while the group is planning his destruction, suggesting the Count is monitoring their strategy session.
What is Renfield's plea to the group later that night?
He begs to be released from the asylum immediately, arguing his complete sanity and pleading with tears, whips, chains -- anything rather than remaining in the asylum near Dracula.
What does Van Helsing say will happen if the group fails?
They will become vampires themselves -- "foul things of the night" preying on those they love, with the gates of heaven shut to them forever.
What is Renfield's final warning to Dr. Seward?
"You will, I trust, Dr. Seward, do me the justice to bear in mind, later on, that I did what I could to convince you tonight." This implies terrible consequences that Renfield foresees.
What strategy does Van Helsing propose for defeating Dracula?
They must trace all fifty boxes of earth shipped from Castle Dracula, capture or kill Dracula in his lair, or sterilize the earth so he cannot use it for refuge, and confront him between noon and sunset when he is weakest.
What advantage does the group have over Dracula, according to Van Helsing?
The "power of combination" -- the ability to work together and think freely, which vampires cannot do. They also have science, self-devotion, and freedom to act in both day and night.