Dracula — Chapter 7: Chapter 7 | Spoiler-Free Reading

A newspaper article from the Dailygraph details a violent storm in Whitby that brings a mysterious Russian schooner called the Demeter into harbor, steered only by a dead captain lashed to the wheel with a crucifix. The ship carries boxes of earth, and a large dog leaps ashore and vanishes. The captain's log, found in a bottle, reveals a terrifying voyage with crew members disappearing one by one, sightings of a tall thin stranger, and the mate's descent into madness before jumping overboard, leaving the captain to tie himself to the helm. Mina Murray's journal describes the storm's effect on her and Lucy, the captain's funeral, the strange death of Mr. Swales, and a dog's terrified reaction at the gravesite.

On stage

Mina Harker Observes the storm, cares for sleepwalking Lucy, attends the sea-captain's funeral with Lucy, and takes her for a long walk to tire her out.

Lucy Westenra Restless during the storm and funeral, sleepwalks twice, becomes upset by Mr. Swales's death and the dog's behavior, and accompanies Mina to the funeral and on a long cliff walk.

The Captain Steers the ship alone into Whitby harbor during the storm while already dead; his body is later given a hero's funeral with boats and burial in the churchyard.

Mr. Swales Found dead on the churchyard seat with a broken neck and a look of horror on his face.

R. M. Renfield Attends the funeral, tries to calm his barking dog, then kicks and throws it onto the tombstone when it refuses to obey.

Dr. John Seward Declares that the captain had been dead for about two days after examining the corpse.

Samuel F. Billington Goes aboard the ship and formally takes possession of the consigned boxes.

Main 10

Jonathan Harker

Also known as: Harker, I, mein Herr, the English Herr, the Herr Englishman, young Herr +8 más

Absent fiancé of Mina; solicitor who has been in Transylvania, from whom no recent genuine news has arrived. Mentioned only through his lack of letters and one suspicious short note from Castle Dracula stating he is starting for home.

Mina Harker fiancéeCount Dracula client and hostCount Dracula host and clientMina Harker fiancéePeter Hawkins employer and friend +8 more

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Count Dracula

Also known as: Count, Dracula, my friend, my master the Count, my host, the Count +7 más

A ancient Transylvanian vampire noble who holds Harker captive, suave yet menacing, capable of shape-shifting and commanding wolves, with a history of ruthless evil. Tricks Harker into writing post-dated letters, burns one of Harker's secret letters, impersonates Harker by wearing his clothes and leaving the castle, rests in a box of earth during the day, manipulates the wolves to terrify Harker, and departs the castle in a box.

Jonathan Harker guest and solicitorJonathan Harker guest and solicitorPeter Hawkins friend and business associateJonathan Harker prisoner and guestCount Dracula his own race +2 more

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4

Mina Harker

Also known as: Mina, her, my faithful friend, Miss Mina Murray, I, Miss +3 más

Concerned young woman keeping a journal while staying in Whitby with her friend Lucy; she is engaged to Jonathan Harker and worries about his absence. Observes the storm, cares for sleepwalking Lucy, attends the sea-captain's funeral with Lucy, and takes her for a long walk to tire her out.

Jonathan Harker fiancéJonathan Harker fiancéeJonathan Harker fiancéJonathan Harker fiancéLucy Westenra dearest friend +8 more

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Peter Hawkins

Also known as: Mr. Hawkins, my friend Peter Hawkins, my other friend Peter Hawkins, Mr. Peter Hawkins, employer, master +2 más

An English solicitor and Jonathan Harker's employer and mentor. Receives a letter from Harker that the Count forwards.

Jonathan Harker employeeCount Dracula client and friendJonathan Harker employeeCount Dracula clientJonathan Harker employee

Chapters 2, 3, 4

Lucy Westenra

Also known as: a woman with dishevelled hair, the woman, Lucy, Miss Lucy Westenra, dearest Mina's friend, my pretty +1 más

Delicate and sensitive young woman prone to sleepwalking; she is easily upset by strange events and refuses to admit the cause of her restlessness. Restless during the storm and funeral, sleepwalks twice, becomes upset by Mr. Swales's death and the dog's behavior, and accompanies Mina to the funeral and on a long cliff walk.

Mina Harker dearest friendArthur Holmwood fiancéDr. John Seward rejected suitorQuincey P. Morris rejected suitorMina Harker friend +3 more

Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7

Arthur Holmwood

Also known as: Art, Arthur, Hon. Arthur Holmwood, Mr. Holmwood, the certain lady's fiancé, only son of Lord Godalming +1 más

Lucy’s fiancé; son of Lord Godalming, currently detained in town by his father’s illness. Referenced as expected visitor to Whitby whom Lucy wishes to show the churchyard view to; his visit is postponed due to his father’s serious illness.

Lucy Westenra fiancéeQuincey P. Morris close friendDr. John Seward close friendLucy Westenra fiancée

Chapters 5, 6

Dr. John Seward

Also known as: Dr. Seward, Jack Seward, number One, the lunatic-asylum man, I, the doctor +1 más

Local physician who examines the dead captain's body. Declares that the captain had been dead for about two days after examining the corpse.

Lucy Westenra rejected love interestQuincey P. Morris close friendArthur Holmwood close friendR. M. Renfield patientR. M. Renfield patient +1 more

Chapters 5, 6, 7

Quincey P. Morris

Also known as: Mr. Morris, Mr. Quincey P. Morris, number Two, the American from Texas

Adventurous and well-mannered American gentleman from Texas, one of Lucy's suitors who is rejected but responds with nobility and friendship, known for using colorful slang in private. Proposes to Lucy using folksy language, is refused but earns a kiss and her friendship through his gracious reaction, then writes a warm letter inviting Arthur and Seward to toast the engagement.

Lucy Westenra rejected love interest turned friendArthur Holmwood close friendDr. John Seward close friend

Chapter 5

R. M. Renfield

Also known as: Renfield, he, the patient, my friend, my poor mad friend, the man +1 más

Quiet local man who regularly visits the harbor area with his dog. Attends the funeral, tries to calm his barking dog, then kicks and throws it onto the tombstone when it refuses to obey.

Dr. John Seward doctor and observerDr. John Seward doctor

Chapters 5, 6, 7

Mrs. Westenra

Lucy’s mother; anxious about her daughter’s sleepwalking, which she attributes to family history. Speaks to Mina about Lucy’s sleepwalking habit and her late husband’s similar condition.

Lucy Westenra daughterMina Harker acquaintance

Chapter 6

Secondary 8

Landlord

Also known as: Golden Krone Hotel landlord, elderly man, my landlord

Owner of the Golden Krone Hotel in Bistritz; reticent and frightened when questioned about Count Dracula. Receives instructions from Dracula to reserve a coach seat for Harker; refuses to speak about the Count or the castle and crosses himself.

Jonathan Harker guestCount Dracula correspondent

Chapter 1

Landlady

Also known as: cheery-looking elderly woman, elderly woman, his wife, old lady

Wife of the Bistritz hotel landlord; superstitious and deeply concerned for Harker's safety. Receives Harker at the hotel door; later begs him hysterically not to go on St. George's Eve, offers him her crucifix for protection, and weeps when he insists on leaving.

Jonathan Harker guestCount Dracula source of her fear

Chapter 1

Strange driver

Also known as: Bistritz coach driver, coachman, driver, fellow-passenger's driver, tall man, the driver +1 más

Mysterious tall man with a long brown beard, black hat, bright red-tinged eyes, hard mouth, and sharp white teeth; serves Count Dracula. Arrives in a calèche with four black horses at the Borgo Pass; takes control of Harker, drives him through the pass while navigating wolves and blue flames with supernatural calm and strength.

Jonathan Harker passengerCount Dracula masterJonathan Harker passenger

Chapter 1

The three women

Also known as: fair woman, ladies, the fair girl, the other two, three young women, you yourselves +7 más

Vampiric female creatures serving the Count, seductive yet deadly, who prey on Harker and a child. Appear as phantom shapes in moonlight, lick their lips while waiting outside Harker's door, and are left alone with him at the end.

Count Dracula masterCount Dracula master

Chapters 3, 4

Samuel F. Billington

Also known as: Mr. S. F. Billington, the Whitby solicitor

Local solicitor who receives the cargo of earth boxes from the Demeter. Goes aboard the ship and formally takes possession of the consigned boxes.

Chapters 3, 7

The Szgany

Also known as: gipsies, gipsy, the hetman of the Szgany

A band of gypsies allied to the Count, superstitious and lawless, who camp at the castle and assist him. Receive and deliver Harker's letters to the Count, bring and load boxes onto wagons, and depart with the Count's earth-filled boxes.

Count Dracula master they serve

Chapter 4

Mr. Swales

Also known as: aud folks, my old friend, my old man, old man, the old fellow, poor old Mr. Swales +1 más

Elderly local man who frequently sits in the churchyard and shares local lore; known for his cheerfulness. Found dead on the churchyard seat with a broken neck and a look of horror on his face.

Mina Harker acquaintanceLucy Westenra acquaintance

Chapters 6, 7

The Captain

Also known as: the Russian captain, the dead seaman, the dead steersman, the poor sea-captain

Brave and dutiful captain of the Demeter who remains at the helm despite losing his entire crew to a mysterious evil presence; he ties himself to the wheel with a crucifix to resist the entity. Steers the ship alone into Whitby harbor during the storm while already dead; his body is later given a hero's funeral with boats and burial in the churchyard.

Chapter 7