Overview:
The novel “The Jewel of Seven Stars” by Bram Stoker follows Malcolm Ross, a barrister, as he gets drawn into a perplexing situation involving Mr. Trelawny, an Egyptologist. Mr. Trelawny is found unconscious with a strange wound on his wrist and a missing bangle with a key attached. Ross, intrigued by the mysterious circumstances, agrees to help Trelawny’s daughter, Margaret, keep watch over her father.
Throughout the story, the reader is confronted with inexplicable events, including the discovery of a mummy, the theft of valuable lamps, and the recurring presence of a strange influence which causes drowsiness and even catalepsy in those around the unconscious Trelawny. Ross, initially unaware of the true depth of the mystery, becomes entangled in a web of secrets and discoveries, leading to a journey to Egypt in search of the origins of Trelawny’s obsession and his ultimate purpose.
Key findings:
- Mr. Trelawny’s obsession with Queen Tera, a mysterious queen from Ancient Egypt, drives his research and ultimately leads to his unconscious state.
- Queen Tera had a mystical power, possibly related to magic or a form of astral travel, and used her influence to control others.
- The Jewel of Seven Stars, a powerful artifact with magical properties, played a crucial role in Queen Tera’s plans for resurrection.
Learning:
- The Power of Ancient Magic: The novel explores the possibility of ancient magic and its lasting power, highlighting how even in a modern world, the secrets of the past can be both alluring and dangerous.
- The Jewel of Seven Stars, with its inscription containing powerful words, is a potent reminder of the belief in ancient magic and its potential influence.
- The use of herbs, minerals, and symbols in ancient Egyptian rituals suggests a deep understanding of the world and its forces, both physical and spiritual.
- Astral Travel: The concept of astral travel is central to the story.
- Queen Tera, through her astral body, could travel vast distances, exert influence over others, and even enter and leave enclosed spaces.
- The novel offers a fictional exploration of a concept that has intrigued and fascinated people for centuries.
- The ‘Ka’ and Other Elements of the Egyptian Soul: The novel introduces the reader to the intricate concept of the Egyptian soul, composed of different elements.
- The ‘Ka’, the ‘Double’, is a spiritual entity that can move freely, interact with the gods, and even influence the physical world.
- The ‘Ba’, or ‘soul’, can be both corporeal and incorporeal, and has the power to revisit the body.
- Hieroglyphic Language: The story highlights the complexity and richness of the hieroglyphic language.
- Trelawny and Corbeck are able to decipher ancient Egyptian writing and understand the secrets hidden in the tomb.
- The story demonstrates the significance of deciphering ancient texts in revealing the lost knowledge and cultures of the past.
Historical Context:
The novel is set in 1903, a time when Egyptology was experiencing a surge of interest and discovery.
- The discovery of ancient tombs and artifacts in Egypt fueled a fascination with ancient civilizations and their secrets.
- The work of prominent Egyptologists like Sir John Herschel and others is mentioned, highlighting the scientific exploration and understanding of the time.
Facts:
- Queen Tera’s Reign: Queen Tera reigned during the Eleventh Dynasty of Egyptian Kings, which held sway between the 29th and 25th centuries before Christ.
- Hathor’s Significance: Hathor is the Egyptian goddess who corresponds to Venus in Greek mythology, representing beauty, pleasure, and resurrection. She was the patron goddess of Queen Tera’s dynasty.
- Symbolic Importance of the Plough: Queen Tera believed that the seven stars of the Plough constellation, which ruled her birth, held special significance in her life and her destiny.
- The Serdab: The serdab, a small niche or chamber in the tomb, was intended to hold effigies of the deceased.
- The ‘Ka’ and the ‘Ab’: The ‘Ka’ or ‘Double’ represents an individual’s spiritual essence, while the ‘Ab’ refers to the heart, which in ancient Egypt was believed to hold the essence of life.
- The ‘Hekau’ or Word of Power: Ancient Egyptians believed in powerful words that could command the Gods of the Upper and Lower Worlds. Queen Tera inscribed such words on the Jewel of Seven Stars.
- The Role of the Priests: The Egyptian priesthood held immense power and often sought to control the kings and influence the power structure. Queen Tera defied them through her knowledge of magic and statecraft.
- The Importance of a Name: Ancient Egyptians believed that a name was essential for the soul’s journey into the afterlife. Queen Tera, aware of the priests’ attempts to erase her name, made preparations for her resurrection in a new land.
- The History of the Great Pyramid: Sir John Herschel determined the date of the Great Pyramid’s construction by studying the change in the North Star position, demonstrating the advanced understanding of astronomy in ancient Egypt.
- The Power of Egyptian Magic: The ancient Egyptians developed a system of “black” and “white” magic, with “black” magic being used to influence and control, while “white” magic was intended to impress and influence.
- Ancient Egyptian Sciences: The Egyptians possessed a deep understanding of science, including acoustics and the properties of herbs and minerals. They used their knowledge for both practical and magical purposes.
- The Use of Cedar Oil: Cedar oil, used extensively in ancient Egyptian rituals and embalming, has a unique refractive power and was likely used in the Queen’s lamps.
- The Ancient Egyptians and Hypnotism: The Egyptians were skilled in hypnotism, which they used to induce dreams and influence the minds of others.
Statistics:
- Queen Tera’s reign lasted for approximately 2500 years, dating back to the 29th and 25th centuries before Christ.
- Queen Tera’s tomb was built approximately 5000 years ago.
- The Great Pyramid was constructed around 2500 years before Christ.
- The Great Library of Alexandria, believed to hold a vast collection of knowledge, was destroyed by fire in the 3rd century BC.
Terms:
- Sarcophagus: A stone coffin, typically used to hold mummies in ancient Egypt.
- Hieroglyphics: A system of ancient Egyptian writing that used picture symbols to represent words, syllables, and sounds.
- Mummy: A preserved human or animal body from ancient Egypt, usually treated with resins and spices.
- Amulet: A charm or trinket believed to have magical powers or protective properties.
- Necromancy: The practice of communicating with the dead for the purpose of divination or other magical practices.
- Astral Body: A spiritual or ethereal body, according to ancient Egyptian beliefs, that can travel independently of the physical body.
- ‘Ka’: The ‘Double’, an abstract individuality of personality, that was considered a vital part of the ancient Egyptian soul.
- ‘Ab’: The heart, which held the essence of life in ancient Egyptian beliefs.
- ‘Hekau’: Powerful words, according to ancient Egyptians, that could command the Gods.
- Serdab: A small niche or chamber in the tomb, which often contained effigies of the deceased.
Examples:
- Queen Tera’s Resurrection: Queen Tera sought to be resurrected in a new world, a different land under the seven stars of the Plough constellation.
- Silvio’s Attack: The pet cat, Silvio, exhibits a strange hostility towards the mummy of another cat, suggesting a residual instinctual fear or connection.
- The Jewel of Seven Stars: The Jewel of Seven Stars, with its magical properties and inscribed words of power, plays a pivotal role in the plot.
- The ‘Ka’ of Queen Tera: The novel uses the ‘Ka’ to represent the powerful and persistent essence of Queen Tera, even after her physical death.
- The Attack on Trelawny: Queen Tera’s astral body uses her influence over others, particularly her familiar, to try to retrieve the Jewel of Seven Stars from Trelawny’s safe.
- The Journey to Egypt: The characters embark on a perilous journey to Egypt, seeking to uncover the secrets of Queen Tera’s tomb.
- The Hidden Serdab: Trelawny, using his knowledge of hieroglyphics and Queen Tera’s plans, locates a secret serdab in her tomb, but it is empty.
- The Mysterious Oil Jars: The oil jars found in the tomb were filled with cedar oil, suggesting a specific purpose and a possible link to the magical powers of Queen Tera.
- The Destruction of the Mummy Cat: The cat, Trelawny’s familiar, is destroyed to prevent any possible interference with the Great Experiment.
- Margaret’s Premonition: Margaret’s premonition about the Queen’s inactivity during the night, highlighting a possible connection between her and the Queen’s astral body.
- The Great Experiment: Trelawny’s attempt to resurrect Queen Tera in a modern setting, demonstrating his scientific and mystical understanding.
Conclusion:
“The Jewel of Seven Stars” is a captivating novel that weaves together elements of mystery, history, and the supernatural. Bram Stoker skillfully builds suspense as the reader follows Malcolm Ross through a journey of discovery, encountering a complex web of secrets and intriguing characters. The story hinges on the belief in ancient magic and the potential for resurrection, exploring the possibility of a queen from the past, Queen Tera, using her astral body to influence events in the present. As the story unfolds, the reader questions not only the validity of ancient magic but also the nature of reality itself. The novel offers a compelling exploration of the human fascination with the unknown, the power of love and trust, and the enduring mysteries of the past.