# Chapter XXVI explained — Dracula

> Chapter companion for Dracula by Bram Stoker.

## What happens

The group races to Galatz in pursuit of Dracula's box. Mina Harker uses her hypnotic connection to track the Count's movements, revealing he is on the water. They trace the box through Hildesheim and Skinsky, but Skinsky is found dead with his throat torn out. Mina reviews the papers and believes she has made a discovery.

## Themes in this chapter

### Good versus Evil

The hunters' determined pursuit of Dracula represents the struggle of good against the evil Count.

### Modernity versus Superstition

Mina uses rational deduction and typewriters, while the Captain's superstition aids Dracula's escape.

### Madness and Rationality

Mina strives to think without prejudice and apply logical analysis to counter Dracula's supernatural threat.

## Character check-ins

### Mina Harker

Uses hypnotic trance to track Dracula; reviews papers and believes she has made a discovery.

### Abraham Van Helsing

Leads the hypnotic sessions and the investigation in Galatz.

### John Seward

Records the diary entries; participates in the pursuit.

### Jonathan Harker

Exhausted and resting; his hand instinctively closes around his Kukri during Mina's trance.

### Quincey Morris

Present during the hypnotic sessions; provided Mina with a typewriter.

### Count Dracula

His box is being transported by water; he is tracked via Mina's hypnotic connection.

## Key lines

> I shall try to follow the Professor's example, and think without prejudice on the facts before me.

Mina resolves to examine the evidence objectively, emulating Van Helsing's rational approach.

_Demonstrates Mina's commitment to logic and reason._

> He is close to land: he has left his earth-chest. But he has yet to get on shore.

Van Helsing deduces that Dracula has abandoned his box of soil but still needs to reach land.

_Key strategic insight into Dracula's vulnerability._

> I am in fear that her power of reading the Count's sensations may die away, just when we want it most.

Seward worries that Mina's hypnotic ability to sense Dracula is fading at a critical time.

_Highlights the urgency and uncertainty of their mission._

## Links

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