1. Emotive Diction and Imagery: Stoker uses evocative language to paint a vivid picture of the scene, emphasizing the grotesque and disturbing nature of the vampire's actions. For example, when describing the first signs of Lucy's transformation, he writes:
> "Her face was ghastly pale, and her lips were redder than ever. Her eyes were wide open, and her pupils dilated to an almost inhuman size. Her breathing was quick and shallow, and her pulse was rapid and weak."
The use of words like "ghastly," "inhuman," and "weak" create a sense of unease and foreshadow the terrifying change that is taking place. This language is then further heightened during the actual ceremony:
> "The lips of the coffin were opened; and then, with a low, soft sound, the body of the girl, wrapped in its white shroud, was lifted out, and held for a moment above the coffin. Then it was laid down again, and the men in black began to work."
The choice of words like "opened," "lifted," "held," and "laid down" implies a sense of ritualistic action, while the "men in black" creates an air of mystery and secrecy.
2. Sensory Detail: Stoker appeals to the reader's senses to create a visceral experience of the horror. He describes the "blood" staining the "linen" of Lucy's shroud, the "heavy scent" of the "earth" and the "musty" air of the crypt. This sensory overload emphasizes the physicality of the violation being performed.
3. Contrasting Imagery: The juxtaposition of beauty and decay is crucial to the horror. Lucy is described as a beautiful young woman, and the contrast of her pale skin and red lips against the "black earth" and "dark" crypt underscores the ugliness of the vampire's actions.
4. Personification and Metaphor: Stoker utilizes personification to imbue the vampire's actions with a sense of malicious intent. The "red" lips of the coffin are described as "opening," and the vampire's touch is "cold" and "deathly." These metaphors create a sense of agency for the vampire, emphasizing its active role in the desecration of Lucy.
5. Repetitive Language and Syntax: Stoker employs repetition and short, choppy sentences to create a sense of urgency and anxiety. The repeated use of phrases like "the men in black" and "the blood" emphasizes the ritualistic nature of the vampire's actions and reinforces the horrific nature of the scene.
6. Minimalist Detail: While the language is vivid, the details are often limited, leaving much to the reader's imagination. This creates a sense of unease and allows the reader to fill in the blanks with their own fears and anxieties.
By employing these linguistic techniques, Stoker effectively conveys the horror of Lucy's desecration, emphasizing the violation of her body and the corrupting influence of the vampire. This creates a lasting impression on the reader, highlighting the ultimate threat posed by Dracula and the darkness that he represents.