I think Dr. Seward is one of the most interesting characters in the novel, as his stories and journal entries give us much insight into the vampire world, without even realizing it at first. His main patient, Renfield, has a strong connection to Count Dracula, and exhibits vampire-like qualities throughout his stay at the insane asylum. It is interesting how the two vampires are described, as Renfield and Dracula seem very different from one another, one completely disgusting and desperate for his master, always mumbling to he who obviously cannot hear him (96), and the other seriously independent, poised, and intelligent about what his life consists of. By placing Renfield in the insane asylum, we are able to see what could happen to a "free-spirited" vampire when they are confined, especially separated from human blood they need as sustenance. Renfield consumes living creatures, such as flies, spiders, and sparrows, and Seward classifies him as a "zoophagous"- or a "life-eating" maniac, and is described as wanting to "absorb as many lives as he can" (71). This fiendish desire tells us much about the true nature of vampires, but how it can be stifled and contorted if the vampire is imprisoned and unable to get human blood. Dr. Seward's role of reporting what happens with Renfield is a crucial one, especially since he is within the confines of an insane asylum, and seems to have a pretty clear divide between himself and his patients: Seward sees life very scientifically, in black and white. His desire to classify Renfield immediately after he arrives tells us that even if Seward doesn't understand something, he needs to give it a scientific name in order for it to make any sense in his mind.
It is also interesting/ ironic that Lucy does not choose Seward as her husband, and that, if she had, he possibly could have helped her more because he is a scientist, and could have seen connections between what was happening to her and what he observed with Renfield...... Finally, Arthur Holmwood has to write to Dr. Seward asking him to examine Lucy (104).
Seward sees life very scientifically, in black and white. His desire to classify Renfield immediately after he arrives tells us that even if Seward doesn't understand something, he needs to give it a scientific name in order for it to make any sense in his mind.
ReplyDeleteI think this is such a vital point. In the past, people would just "make up stuff" about madness--i.e. the phases of the moon, the humors, even demonic possession! How is this different from "modern" psychiatry as portrayed through the character of Dr. Seward? I posted a little more about this on Aaron's blog if you're interested. Seward sees life very scientifically, in black and white. His desire to classify Renfield immediately after he arrives tells us that even if Seward doesn't understand something, he needs to give it a scientific name in order for it to make any sense in his mind.
http://amyoder.blogspot.com/