# XIII explained — Dracula

> Chapter companion for Dracula by Bram Stoker.

## What happens

Following Lucy's death, Dr. Seward and Van Helsing manage the funeral arrangements and legal matters. Van Helsing reveals his suspicion that Lucy is not truly at rest, and he plans to perform a macabre operation to cut off her head and take out her heart. He confides in Seward, who reluctantly agrees to help, while also discovering that a maid stole the golden crucifix from Lucy's body. The chapter ends with Van Helsing placing wild garlic and a crucifix on Lucy's corpse, foreshadowing the battle against the undead.

## Themes in this chapter

### Good versus Evil

Van Helsing's plan to decapitate Lucy and remove her heart represents the struggle to prevent evil from manifesting through the undead.

### Science versus Faith

Van Helsing, a man of science and medicine, employs religious symbols like the crucifix and wild garlic, blending empirical knowledge with supernatural beliefs.

### Madness and Rationality

Seward's shock at Van Helsing's proposed operation highlights the tension between rational medical practice and the seemingly irrational measures required to combat the supernatural.

## Character check-ins

### John Seward

Narrates the chapter, manages funeral details, and agrees to assist Van Helsing in the planned operation on Lucy's body.

### Abraham Van Helsing

Takes charge of Lucy's papers, places wild garlic and a crucifix on her corpse, and reveals his plan to decapitate and remove her heart to prevent her becoming undead.

### Lucy Westenra

Deceased; her body is described as beautiful in death, and Van Helsing takes precautions against her rising as a vampire.

### Arthur Holmwood

Expected to arrive at five o'clock to see Lucy's body; he is also dealing with his father's funeral.

### Mrs. Westenra

Deceased; her will leaves everything to Arthur Holmwood, and she is buried alongside Lucy.

## Key lines

> She makes a very beautiful corpse, sir. It's quite a privilege to attend on her. It's not too much to say that she will do credit to our establishment!

The woman who prepared Lucy's body remarked that she was an exceptionally beautiful corpse and that handling her was an honor for their funeral home.

_Reflects the Victorian preoccupation with death and the macabre commercialization of funeral services._

> I want to cut off her head and take out her heart.

Van Helsing tells Seward he intends to decapitate Lucy and remove her heart to prevent her from becoming a vampire.

_Highlights the extreme measures Van Helsing believes are necessary to combat the undead._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dracula_se/chapters/xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dracula_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dracula_se/chapters