Bram Stoker's Dracula

It's clear to everyone who reads Bram Stoker's Dracula, Lucy becomes part of the undead. However, it isn't entirely apparent to everyone when exactly she turns from human to vampire. In fact, none of the characters in the novel realize it even though they point out many characteristics that make it clear! They all just assume Lucy is losing a lot of blood and is going to die soon. Stoker includes many hints, not so subtly, that indicate Lucy is in the process of turning into a vampire the entire time she's bed-ridden.

"At times [Lucy] slept, and both Van Helsing and I noticed the difference in her, between sleeping and waking. Whilst asleep she looked stronger . . . when she woke the softness of her eyes evidently changed the expression, for she looked her own self, although a dying one" (139). This passage could easily be misinterpreted by assuming Stoker meant she looked more peaceful while sleeping, as if she were in a better place. However, much earlier in the novel when Jonathan Harker was looking at Dracula while he slept, he noted, "There lay the Count, but looking as if his youth had been half renewed, for the white hair and moustache were changed to dark iron-grey; the cheeks were fuller, and the white skin seemed ruby-red underneath" (53). Dracula is clearly a vampire, and the fact that Stoker points out sleep restores his youth and makes him look stronger doesn't suggest any different for Lucy. The similarities between the characteristics of the two are unmistakeable, which can only lead to the assumption that Lucy is a vampire before she is officially proclaimed dead.

Van Helsing knew Dracula was coming into Lucy's room during the night and feasting on her blood, he also knew garlic was an easy way to repulse the vampire and keep him away. He presented her with garlic flowers to hang in her room, put around her neck, and place in her window so Dracula would stay away. The smell of garlic would easily cover up the smell of Lucy's blood and ensure he wouldn't come back anymore. However, "Lucy had been examining the flowers and smelling them. Now she threw them down . . . with half-laughter and half-disgust" (121). When people are sick and on the brink of death, they'll try anything their doctor tells them to get better, only Lucy was disgusted with Van Helsings gift, because it was garlic. She was given the simple task of leaving the wreath of flowers around her neck while she slept, but was so repulsed by the scent herself, she tore them off and threw them away during the night (Can't find the exact quote), leaving herself vulnerable. Garlic may have a very strong scent, one that isn't particularly graceful, but the fact that she deliberately refused his advice only lead to her downfall. There may be simple arguments combating this piece of evidence, since garlic isn't very pleasant smelling, it might be impluse