Chapter 4: Jonathan Harker’s Journal—continued

This chapter
Characters 15
Places 9
Jonathan realizes he is a prisoner and that the Count is impersonating him to create a false trail of his departure. After witnessing the Count's supernatural abilities and the horrific death of a local woman, Jonathan scales the castle walls and finds the Count gorged with blood in a crypt. The chapter ends with Jonathan making a final, desperate attempt to escape the castle by climbing the outer walls as the Count's boxes are transported away.

On stage

Jonathan Harker Jonathan discovers he is a prisoner, attempts to send secret letters through the Szgany, scales the castle walls to search the Count's room, and eventually discovers the Count's resting place in a crypt.
Count Dracula The Count forces Jonathan to write post-dated letters, intercepts Jonathan's secret correspondence, impersonates Jonathan by wearing his clothes, and is later found by Jonathan in a blood-gorged sleep in the crypt.
The Three Vampire Women They attempt to manifest in the moonlight to haunt Jonathan and are seen by him outside his door, mocking his failed attempt to escape.
The Szgany They accept a letter and gold from Jonathan but immediately hand the letter over to the Count. They also assist in moving the Count's earth-filled boxes.
The Slovaks They deliver fifty large wooden boxes to the castle and later help transport them, filled with earth, away from the castle.
The Distressed Woman She comes to the castle gate crying for her child and is killed by wolves summoned by the Count.

Mentioned

Mina She is mentioned in Jonathan's journal and is the recipient of a secret shorthand letter that the Count intercepts and burns.
Peter Hawkins He is the recipient of formal letters Jonathan is forced to write by the Count.

Settings

Castle Dracula The ancient, fortress-like residence of Count Dracula in the Carpathian Mountains, filled with locked doors and secret passages.
The Count's Room A room within the castle containing a great heap of ancient gold and a hidden door to a stone passage.
The Old Chapel A ruined, roofless structure within the castle grounds used as a graveyard, containing vaults and a deathly smell of old earth.
Main 2

Jonathan Harker

Also known as: Wilhelmina

An English solicitor currently a prisoner in Castle Dracula. He is observant, practical, and keeps a detailed journal in shorthand. He is deeply devoted to his fiancée, Mina, and his employer, Peter Hawkins. After discovering the Count's true nature and the existence of the vampire women, he has become desperate to escape, even risking his life by scaling the castle walls. He is resourceful but increasingly overwhelmed by the supernatural horrors surrounding him.

Mina fiancée/wife-to-beCount Dracula client/hostThe Landlady guestPeter Hawkins employee and friendThe Three Vampire Women victim of
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4

Count Dracula

Also known as: Dracula, D., The Master, The Monster, The Count, Count de Ville, Mr. de Ville

A Transylvanian nobleman with extraordinary strength, no reflection, and the ability to crawl down walls. He is a Szekely who claims descent from Attila the Hun. He is secretive, manipulative, and controls wolves. He can appear younger after feeding on blood and rests in a wooden box filled with earth in a ruined chapel. He is planning to move to London.

Jonathan Harker host/employerThe Driver masterPeter Hawkins business correspondent/friendThe Three Vampire Women master ofThe Szgany employer of +1 more
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4
Secondary 7

The Landlady

A cheery-looking elderly woman in peasant dress who runs the Golden Krone Hotel in Bistritz. She is deeply superstitious and fearful of the "evil things" that come out on St. George's Eve.

The Landlord wifeJonathan Harker hostess
Chapter 1

The Landlord

The elderly owner of the Golden Krone Hotel in Bistritz. He is reticent and pretends not to understand Jonathan's German when questioned about Count Dracula.

The Landlady husbandJonathan Harker host
Chapter 1

The Driver

A tall man with a long brown beard and bright eyes. He has prodigious strength and command over wolves.

Count Dracula servantJonathan Harker passenger/guide
Chapters 1, 2

The Three Vampire Women

Also known as: The Weird Sisters

Three predatory vampire women with brilliant white teeth and voluptuous ruby lips. They lack shadows and can materialize from moonbeams. They are subordinate to the Count and crave human blood.

Count Dracula subordinates ofJonathan Harker predators of
Chapters 3, 4

The Szgany

A band of gypsies encamped in the courtyard of Castle Dracula. They are fearless, superstitious, and loyal to the Count, speaking their own Romany tongue.

Count Dracula servants ofJonathan Harker betrayers of
Chapter 4

The Slovaks

Laborers who arrive at the castle with leiter-wagons. They wear wide hats, nail-studded belts, and sheepskins. They are stoic and ignore Jonathan's pleas for help.

Count Dracula laborers forThe Szgany associates of
Chapter 4

The Distressed Woman

A woman from the local village whose child was taken by the Count.

Count Dracula victim of
Chapter 4
Mentioned 6
Mina Mina writes to Lucy about her studies in shorthand and her desire to be a useful wife to Jonathan, while also teasing Lucy about her new suitor.
Peter Hawkins Mentioned in a letter of introduction and during business discussions between Jonathan and the Count.
Samuel F. Billington His firm coordinates the transport of fifty boxes from Whitby to the Carfax estate in Purfleet.
Herr Leutner Mentioned as the recipient of one of the Count's letters.
Coutts & Co. Mentioned as the recipient of one of the Count's letters.
Herren Klopstock & Billreuth Mentioned as the recipient of one of the Count's letters.
Main 7

Borgo Pass

A mountain pass in the Carpathian Mountains leading into Bukovina. It is the meeting point between the public coach and Dracula's private carriage.

  • Jonathan is transferred from the public coach to Dracula's calèche amidst a scene of great fear from the other passengers.
  • Mina and Van Helsing travel toward this location to intercept the Count.
  • Van Helsing and Mina arrive here at sunrise.
  • The final battle between the protagonists and the Szgany takes place near here.
Chapter 1

Castle Dracula

The ancient, fortress-like residence of Count Dracula in the Carpathian Mountains, filled with locked doors and secret passages.

  • Jonathan arrives here at the end of the chapter after a harrowing night journey.
  • Jonathan arrives at the courtyard and is welcomed by the Count.
  • Jonathan and the Count discuss the purchase of the Carfax estate in the library.
  • Jonathan discovers the Count has no reflection while shaving.
  • Jonathan realizes all exits are locked and he is a prisoner.
  • Jonathan realizes he is a prisoner and explores the locked halls.
  • The Count is seen crawling down the outer walls like a lizard.
  • Jonathan falls asleep in a forbidden room and is attacked by three vampire women.
  • Jonathan discovers he is locked in his room.
  • The Szgany encamp in the courtyard.
  • The Slovaks deliver fifty wooden boxes.
  • A woman is killed by wolves at the castle gate.
  • Van Helsing enters the castle to destroy the three vampire women.
  • Van Helsing seals the castle so the Count can never return.
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4

Carfax

An estate in Purfleet, London, purchased by Count Dracula. It is surrounded by a high stone wall, contains an old chapel, a deep pond, and a large, straggling house that looks like a keep. It is near a private lunatic asylum.

  • Jonathan describes the property to the Count using his notes and photos.
  • Fifty boxes of earth are delivered here by Carter, Paterson & Co.
  • Renfield escapes to the chapel door of this estate to worship his 'Master'.
  • Carriers deliver large wooden boxes to this estate, sparking Renfield's violent outburst.
  • The carriers describe the thick dust and the eerie atmosphere of the chapel where they delivered the boxes.
  • The men leave to investigate the house at the end of the chapter.
  • The men break into the house using skeleton keys.
  • They discover that 21 of the 50 earth-boxes are missing.
  • Thousands of rats swarm the chapel and are driven off by Arthur's dogs.
  • The men enter the chapel and sterilize several boxes of earth using Sacred Wafers.
  • Mina reports seeing Dracula leave this location hurriedly at 12:45.
Chapter 2

Exeter

A town in England where Peter Hawkins' law practice is located.

  • Mentioned as the home of Peter Hawkins and Jonathan's future place of work.
  • Mina writes letters from here describing Mr. Hawkins' death and their inheritance.
  • Mina reads Jonathan's journal in her room.
  • Van Helsing visits Mina at her home for lunch.
  • Jonathan meets Van Helsing at his hotel and sees him off at the railway station.
Chapter 2

Whitby

A coastal town in Yorkshire, England.

  • Jonathan notices it is marked with a ring on the Count's map of England.
  • Mina arrives to stay with Lucy.
  • Mina and Lucy talk with Mr. Swales in the churchyard.
  • A great storm begins to gather over the coast.
  • A massive, sudden storm hits the town.
  • The schooner Demeter crashes into the pier.
  • The sea-captain is buried in the churchyard.
  • Mr. Swales is found dead.
  • Lucy sleepwalks to the churchyard on the East Cliff.
  • Mina finds Lucy on their favorite seat being hovered over by a dark figure.
  • Jonathan visits Mr. Billington and the port officials to trace the shipment.
Chapter 2

The Count's Room

A room within the castle containing a great heap of ancient gold and a hidden door to a stone passage.

  • Jonathan enters through the window and searches for keys.
  • Jonathan finds a hoard of ancient coins and jewelry.
Chapter 4

The Old Chapel

A ruined, roofless structure within the castle grounds used as a graveyard, containing vaults and a deathly smell of old earth.

  • Jonathan finds the fifty boxes filled with earth.
  • Jonathan discovers the Count in a trance-like state inside a box.
  • Jonathan attempts to kill the Count with a shovel.
Chapter 4
Secondary 2

Bistritz

A post town in Transylvania, described as an interesting old place with marks of a stormy history, including fires and sieges.

Golden Krone Hotel

An old-fashioned hotel in Bistritz where Jonathan Harker stays.

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