4.4.2

Renfield

Test yourself on Renfield

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Renfield

An inmate of Seward’s asylum who has an unexplained connection to Dracula, providing the narrative strand that enables the Count to gain access to Mina Harker.

'Real-life vampire'

'Real-life vampire'

  • Renfield is perhaps as close to a ‘real-life vampire' as is humanly possible, accentuating both the human aspects of Count Dracula’s character and the capacity for human beings to be truly monstrous.
  • His diagnosis as a “zoophagous (life-eating) maniac” links monstrosity and madness - a common narrative element in Gothic literature.
Renfield's injuries

Renfield's injuries

  • Renfield’s injuries at the hands of Dracula are depicted in a typically gruesome manner, in the style of Gothic ‘horror’.
  • His face is “horribly bruised” and - excruciatingly - his back is broken, leaving him paralysed.
  • The attendant is at a loss to explain how both could possibly have happened, again reflecting the supernatural abilities of the Count.
Jump to other topics
1

Context - Gothic Literature

1.1

Origins & Conventions of Gothic Literature

1.1.1Origins of Gothic Literature1.1.2Key Ideas in Gothic Literature1.1.3Gothic Genre Conventions in Dracula
1.2

Vampires in Gothic Literature

1.2.1Vampires
1.3

'Terror' & 'Horror'

1.3.1Ann Radcliffe & Lewis' The Monk1.3.2'Terror' & 'Horror' in Dracula
1.4

Narrative Features

1.4.1First-Person Narration & Epistolary Format
2

Context - The Victorian Era

2.1

The Victorian Era

2.1.1Fin de Siecle2.1.2The 'New Woman'2.1.3The Contagious Diseases Act
3

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

3.1

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

3.1.1Chapters 1-23.1.2Chapters 3-43.1.3Chapters 5-73.1.4Chapters 8-103.1.5Chapters 11-123.1.6Chapters 13-143.1.7Chapters 15-163.1.8Chapters 17-183.1.9Chapters 19-203.1.10Chapters 21-233.1.11Chapters 24-253.1.12Chapters 26-27
4

Character Profiles

4.1

Archetypal Gothic Characters

4.1.1Stock & Proppian Gothic Characters
4.2

Count Dracula

4.2.1Count Dracula: Character Profile4.2.2Count Dracula: Different Literary Perspectives
4.3

Other Main Characters

4.3.1Jonathan Harker4.3.2Dr Abraham Van Helsing4.3.3Dr Jack Seward4.3.4Mina Harker4.3.5Lucy Westenra
4.4

Minor Characters

4.4.1Arthur Holmwood & Quincey Morris4.4.2Renfield
5

Key Ideas

5.1

Key Ideas

5.1.1Transgression of Boundaries5.1.2The Supernatural & Un-dead5.1.3Masculinity & Femininity5.1.4Science, Modernity & Superstition5.1.5Madness, Illness & Confinement
6

Writing Techniques

6.1

Writing Techniques

6.1.1Epistolary Form & Narrative Voice6.1.2Intertextuality & Cultural References6.1.3Structure
7

Critical Debates & Interpretations

7.1

Initial Reception of Dracula

7.1.1Initial Reception of Dracula
7.2

Modern Reception of Dracula

7.2.1Modern Reception of Dracula

Practice questions on Renfield

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which description is used of Renfield?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Where does Renfield live?Multiple choice
Answer all questions on Renfield

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Arthur Holmwood & Quincey Morris

Transgression of Boundaries