Dracula — Chapter 9: Chapter 9 | Spoiler-Free Reading

Mina writes to Lucy about reuniting with a weakened Jonathan in Buda-Pesth, their hasty marriage, and her solemn vow to keep his notebook sealed as a symbol of trust. Lucy replies cheerfully from Whitby about her restored health, time with Arthur, and upcoming wedding, while Dr. Seward records Renfield's lunar-timed behavioral cycles and escapes. Lucy's diary reveals recurring nightmares and weakness; Arthur asks Seward to examine her, leading Seward to consult Van Helsing, who examines Lucy and expresses deep concern without immediate explanation.

On stage

Mina Harker Writes a detailed letter to Lucy describing Jonathan's condition, their wedding, and her promise to keep his notebook sealed; sits by his bedside and attends to him as his wife.

Lucy Westenra Replies to Mina's letter with news of her health and romance; writes in her diary about bad dreams, fatigue, and throat pain; is examined by Dr. Seward and Van Helsing.

Jonathan Harker Awakens to request his notebook, solemnly asks Mina to keep it sealed without revealing its contents, and participates in their bedside wedding ceremony.

Sister Agatha Provides care for Jonathan, refuses to repeat his delirious ravings, brings his belongings, and helps arrange the immediate wedding.

Arthur Holmwood Writes to Dr. Seward asking him to examine Lucy; sends a telegram about his father's worsening condition.

Dr. John Seward Records observations of Renfield's cycles and escapes in his diary; examines Lucy, consults Van Helsing, and updates Arthur by letter and telegram.

R. M. Renfield Has violent outbursts at noon and sunset, escapes to the chapel door, calms after seeing a bat, catches and stores flies again, then suddenly rejects the practice.

Abraham Van Helsing Travels from Amsterdam at Seward's request, carefully examines Lucy, expresses concern without full explanation, and plans to return if needed.

Mrs. Westenra Sends love via Lucy's letter; is kept unaware of Lucy's full condition during Seward's visit; lunches out during Van Helsing's examination.

Main 11

Jonathan Harker

Also known as: Harker, I, mein Herr, the English Herr, the Herr Englishman, young Herr +13 más

Recently recovered solicitor who suffered a terrible shock and brain fever; he is physically weak, memory-impaired, and deeply committed to a trust-based marriage with Mina. Awakens to request his notebook, solemnly asks Mina to keep it sealed without revealing its contents, and participates in their bedside wedding ceremony.

Mina Harker fiancéeCount Dracula client and hostCount Dracula host and clientMina Harker fiancéePeter Hawkins employer and friend +12 more

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9

Count Dracula

Also known as: Count, Dracula, my friend, my master the Count, my host, the Count +7 más

A ancient Transylvanian vampire noble who holds Harker captive, suave yet menacing, capable of shape-shifting and commanding wolves, with a history of ruthless evil. Tricks Harker into writing post-dated letters, burns one of Harker's secret letters, impersonates Harker by wearing his clothes and leaving the castle, rests in a box of earth during the day, manipulates the wolves to terrify Harker, and departs the castle in a box.

Jonathan Harker guest and solicitorJonathan Harker guest and solicitorPeter Hawkins friend and business associateJonathan Harker prisoner and guestCount Dracula his own race +2 more

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4

Mina Harker

Also known as: Mina, her, my faithful friend, Miss Mina Murray, I, Miss +8 más

Devoted and dutiful young woman who has just married the ailing Jonathan after nursing him through brain fever; she is loving, trusting, and resolute in her marital vows. Writes a detailed letter to Lucy describing Jonathan's condition, their wedding, and her promise to keep his notebook sealed; sits by his bedside and attends to him as his wife.

Jonathan Harker fiancéJonathan Harker fiancéeJonathan Harker fiancéJonathan Harker fiancéLucy Westenra dearest friend +14 more

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Peter Hawkins

Also known as: Mr. Hawkins, my friend Peter Hawkins, my other friend Peter Hawkins, Mr. Peter Hawkins, employer, master +6 más

Unseen figure to whom Renfield speaks in religious ecstasy at the Carfax chapel. Does not appear but is addressed by Renfield as his lord and the source of coming reward.

Jonathan Harker employeeCount Dracula client and friendJonathan Harker employeeCount Dracula clientJonathan Harker employee +2 more

Chapters 2, 3, 4, 8

Lucy Westenra

Also known as: a woman with dishevelled hair, the woman, Lucy, Miss Lucy Westenra, dearest Mina's friend, my pretty +7 más

Cheerful and affectionate young woman engaged to Arthur; she is recovering from sleepwalking but begins experiencing unexplained weakness, nightmares, and pallor. Replies to Mina's letter with news of her health and romance; writes in her diary about bad dreams, fatigue, and throat pain; is examined by Dr. Seward and Van Helsing.

Mina Harker dearest friendArthur Holmwood fiancéDr. John Seward rejected suitorQuincey P. Morris rejected suitorMina Harker friend +12 more

Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Arthur Holmwood

Also known as: Art, Arthur, Hon. Arthur Holmwood, Mr. Holmwood, the certain lady's fiancé, only son of Lord Godalming +2 más

Engaged to Lucy; he is concerned, affectionate, and dutiful toward both Lucy and his ill father. Writes to Dr. Seward asking him to examine Lucy; sends a telegram about his father's worsening condition.

Lucy Westenra fiancéeQuincey P. Morris close friendDr. John Seward close friendLucy Westenra fiancéeLucy Westenra fiancée +3 more

Chapters 5, 6, 8, 9

Dr. John Seward

Also known as: Dr. Seward, Jack Seward, number One, the lunatic-asylum man, I, the doctor +5 más

Physician running an asylum; he is observant, analytical, and concerned for Lucy while studying his patient Renfield. Records observations of Renfield's cycles and escapes in his diary; examines Lucy, consults Van Helsing, and updates Arthur by letter and telegram.

Lucy Westenra rejected love interestQuincey P. Morris close friendArthur Holmwood close friendR. M. Renfield patientR. M. Renfield patient +7 more

Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Quincey P. Morris

Also known as: Mr. Morris, Mr. Quincey P. Morris, number Two, the American from Texas

Adventurous and well-mannered American gentleman from Texas, one of Lucy's suitors who is rejected but responds with nobility and friendship, known for using colorful slang in private. Proposes to Lucy using folksy language, is refused but earns a kiss and her friendship through his gracious reaction, then writes a warm letter inviting Arthur and Seward to toast the engagement.

Lucy Westenra rejected love interest turned friendArthur Holmwood close friendDr. John Seward close friend

Chapter 5

R. M. Renfield

Also known as: Renfield, he, the patient, my friend, my poor mad friend, the man +7 más

Madman confined in Dr. Seward's asylum who consumes living creatures; he exhibits lunar-timed calm and violence, shows cunning in escapes, and displays shifting moods from cringing to furious to content. Has violent outbursts at noon and sunset, escapes to the chapel door, calms after seeing a bat, catches and stores flies again, then suddenly rejects the practice.

Dr. John Seward doctor and observerDr. John Seward doctorDr. John Seward doctorPeter Hawkins object of worshipR. M. Renfield patient +2 more

Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Mrs. Westenra

Also known as: her mother, poor dear sweet lady, Mother, poor dear, the poor lady

Lucy's mother who is secretly ill with heart disease; she is protective of her daughter. Sends love via Lucy's letter; is kept unaware of Lucy's full condition during Seward's visit; lunches out during Van Helsing's examination.

Lucy Westenra daughterMina Harker acquaintanceLucy Westenra daughterMina Harker confidanteLucy Westenra daughter +1 more

Chapters 6, 8, 9

Abraham Van Helsing

Also known as: Professor Van Helsing, Van Helsing, my old friend and master, the professor

M.D., D.Ph., D.Lit. expert in obscure diseases; he is a brilliant, open-minded scientist and metaphysician with vast knowledge, iron nerve, and kind heart. Travels from Amsterdam at Seward's request, carefully examines Lucy, expresses concern without full explanation, and plans to return if needed.

Dr. John Seward former student and friendLucy Westenra patientArthur Holmwood via proxy

Chapter 9

Secondary 9

Landlord

Also known as: Golden Krone Hotel landlord, elderly man, my landlord

Owner of the Golden Krone Hotel in Bistritz; reticent and frightened when questioned about Count Dracula. Receives instructions from Dracula to reserve a coach seat for Harker; refuses to speak about the Count or the castle and crosses himself.

Jonathan Harker guestCount Dracula correspondent

Chapter 1

Landlady

Also known as: cheery-looking elderly woman, elderly woman, his wife, old lady

Wife of the Bistritz hotel landlord; superstitious and deeply concerned for Harker's safety. Receives Harker at the hotel door; later begs him hysterically not to go on St. George's Eve, offers him her crucifix for protection, and weeps when he insists on leaving.

Jonathan Harker guestCount Dracula source of her fear

Chapter 1

Strange driver

Also known as: Bistritz coach driver, coachman, driver, fellow-passenger's driver, tall man, the driver +1 más

Mysterious tall man with a long brown beard, black hat, bright red-tinged eyes, hard mouth, and sharp white teeth; serves Count Dracula. Arrives in a calèche with four black horses at the Borgo Pass; takes control of Harker, drives him through the pass while navigating wolves and blue flames with supernatural calm and strength.

Jonathan Harker passengerCount Dracula masterJonathan Harker passenger

Chapter 1

The three women

Also known as: fair woman, ladies, the fair girl, the other two, three young women, you yourselves +7 más

Vampiric female creatures serving the Count, seductive yet deadly, who prey on Harker and a child. Appear as phantom shapes in moonlight, lick their lips while waiting outside Harker's door, and are left alone with him at the end.

Count Dracula masterCount Dracula master

Chapters 3, 4

Samuel F. Billington

Also known as: Mr. S. F. Billington, the Whitby solicitor

Local solicitor who receives the cargo of earth boxes from the Demeter. Goes aboard the ship and formally takes possession of the consigned boxes.

Chapters 3, 7

The Szgany

Also known as: gipsies, gipsy, the hetman of the Szgany

A band of gypsies allied to the Count, superstitious and lawless, who camp at the castle and assist him. Receive and deliver Harker's letters to the Count, bring and load boxes onto wagons, and depart with the Count's earth-filled boxes.

Count Dracula master they serve

Chapter 4

Mr. Swales

Also known as: aud folks, my old friend, my old man, old man, the old fellow, poor old Mr. Swales +1 más

Deceased local man previously known to Lucy and Mina. Mentioned by Lucy in a playful reference to his sayings about the dead.

Mina Harker acquaintanceLucy Westenra acquaintance

Chapters 6, 7, 8

The Captain

Also known as: the Russian captain, the dead seaman, the dead steersman, the poor sea-captain

Brave and dutiful captain of the Demeter who remains at the helm despite losing his entire crew to a mysterious evil presence; he ties himself to the wheel with a crucifix to resist the entity. Steers the ship alone into Whitby harbor during the storm while already dead; his body is later given a hero's funeral with boats and burial in the churchyard.

Chapter 7

Sister Agatha

Also known as: our doctor (in reference to the hospital doctor), the good Sister, a good creature and a born nurse, the dear soul

Kindly nun and nurse caring for Jonathan in the hospital; she is discreet about patients' ravings and assists with the wedding. Provides care for Jonathan, refuses to repeat his delirious ravings, brings his belongings, and helps arrange the immediate wedding.

Jonathan Harker patientJonathan Harker patientMina Harker patient's fiancée then wife

Chapters 8, 9