# Brian Redfield — Short Fiction character guide > Brian Redfield in Short Fiction by Nella Larsen. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Brian, Brian junior, Dr. Redfield **First appearance:** 0002-i ## Snapshot A Harlem doctor suffocating under the daily grind of race and duty, dreaming of strange places while his wife fights to keep their world intact. ## Who they are Brian Redfield treats the sick of Harlem but confesses he hates the filthy stairwells and meddling families, and a restless craving for somewhere else flickers beneath his mocking humor. Irene fears that old unhappiness will resurface, and his easy, amused tolerance of Clare Kendry quietly unnerves her. His dissatisfaction shadows the marriage at the story's center. ## Relationships ### [Irene Redfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/characters/irene_redfield) _family_ Irene and Brian are married, but their relationship is strained by Brian's restlessness and Irene's rigid control over their family's stability. ### [Clare Kendry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/characters/clare_kendry) _psychological_ Brian is drawn to Clare's daring and freedom, which Irene perceives as a dangerous romantic threat, fueling Irene's jealousy and paranoia. ### [Theodore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/characters/theodore) _family_ Theodore (Ted) is Brian and Irene's older son, with Brian sharing a closer, more affectionate bond with him than with Irene. ### [Hugh Wentworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/characters/hugh_wentworth) _friendship_ Brian and Hugh share a cordial, intellectual friendship, with Hugh respecting Brian's medical profession and Brian appreciating Hugh's open-mindedness. ### [Irene Redfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/characters/irene_redfield) _family_ Irene and Brian are married, but their relationship is strained by Brian's restlessness and Irene's rigid control over their family's stability. ### [Irene Redfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/characters/irene_redfield) _family_ Irene and Brian are married, but their relationship is strained by Brian's restlessness and Irene's rigid control over their family's stability. ### [Clare Kendry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/characters/clare_kendry) _psychological_ Brian is drawn to Clare's daring and freedom, which Irene perceives as a dangerous romantic threat, fueling Irene's jealousy and paranoia. ### [Hugh Wentworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/characters/hugh_wentworth) _friendship_ Brian and Hugh share a cordial, intellectual friendship, with Hugh respecting Brian's medical profession and Brian appreciating Hugh's open-mindedness. ### [Clare Kendry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/characters/clare_kendry) _psychological_ Brian is drawn to Clare's daring and freedom, which Irene perceives as a dangerous romantic threat, fueling Irene's jealousy and paranoia. ### [Theodore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/characters/theodore) _family_ Theodore (Ted) is Brian and Irene's older son, with Brian sharing a closer, more affectionate bond with him than with Irene. ### [Theodore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/characters/theodore) _family_ Theodore (Ted) is Brian and Irene's older son, with Brian sharing a closer, more affectionate bond with him than with Irene. ## In the story ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/iv) Irene thinks of Brian, hoping he was not too lonely and fearing his old restless craving for change. ### [Part II: Re-Encounter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/part-ii-re-encounter) Brian drives Irene and Clare to the dance and dances with Clare frequently. He seems amused and slightly mocking. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/i) Brian enters as Irene dresses, teasing her about swearing. He discusses the phenomenon of 'passing' and reveals his lingering dissatisfaction with his life and profession. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/ii) Brian is mentioned as having implicitly asked Irene not to bring Clare to the dance; he is detained and has dinner downtown, allowing Irene to postpone telling him about her decision. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/iii) Brian dances with Clare and later questions Irene's discretion about introducing Clare to the Wentworths. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/iv) Brian tolerates Clare with amused indifference and does not find her particularly beautiful, preferring darker-skinned women. ### [Part III: Finale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/part-iii-finale) Distant and unhappy; engages in a tense argument with Irene about discussing lynching with their sons. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/i) Brian is Irene's husband, whose behavior and invitation to Clare provoke Irene's suspicions. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/ii) Brian is physically present but emotionally remote; Irene senses his unhappiness and suspects his old longing to leave. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/iii) Brian is mentioned as Irene's husband, whom she cannot bring herself to tell about the meeting. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/iv) Brian bitterly discusses a lynching at dinner, argues with Irene about preparing their sons for racial realities, and leaves the room after saying 'Don't expect me to give up everything,' which alarms Irene. ### [Sanctuary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/sanctuary) Brian is mentioned as part of Irene's concerns, representing the family life she is trying to preserve. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/i) Not present in this chapter. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/characters/brian_redfield - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/characters