Chapter 5 switches from Harker’s journals and pivots to letters written between Mina Murray and her best friend, Lucy Westenra. There are also journal entries from Mina and Dr. John Seward.

The majority of the communications between Lucy and Mina focus on their romantic prospects. For Mina, this means Jonathan Harker, her fiancé. Lucy has more prospects, having recently received three marriage proposals. Her three suitors are Dr. John Seward, the head of a lunatic asylum, Quiney Morris, a rich American from Texas, and Arthur Holmwood, the English aristocrat, whom she has agreed to marry.

Seward records a diary entry, dictating through a phonograph. He introduces the reader to a patient he is studying: R.M. Renfield, age fifty-nine. Seward distracts himself from Lucy’s rejection by focusing on Renfield, who has fascinating delusions.

Chapter 5 concludes with a brief letter from Quincey Morris to Arthur Holmwood, congratulating Arthur on winning Lucy’s heart.

Mina recounts her visit to the town of Whitby. Lucy takes her to a cliff by the seashore where they talk to Mr. Swales, a longtime resident of Whitby who disdains superstitions and legends.