The Red Room · Character

Rehnhjelm

A young nobleman who abandons his class for the stage and discovers that a theatrical troupe has its own cruelties and hierarchies.

supporting

Also known as that young Rehnhjelm, Lady Rehnhjelm, Mr. Rehnhjelm, young Rehnhjelm, A Soul Overboard Rehnhjelm

First appearance: III: The Artists’ Colony

As a supporting figure in The Red Room, Rehnhjelm is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A young aristocrat studying under Lundell; he is fond of Sellén but forced to work with Lundell.

In the storyIII: The Artists’ ColonyOpen this moment free

Rehnhjelm enters the theatre hungry for art and is handed a servant's part while a waiter is given Don Diego — a humiliation the company discusses before he has even learned his lines. His earnestness makes him both sympathetic and vulnerable in a world of jealous leading ladies and autocratic managers. His fortunes run alongside Falk's as a second study in what happens to a young man who bets everything on a vocation.

See Rehnhjelm in III: The Artists’ Colony Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

25 connections

A slice of how Rehnhjelm sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Romantic
Other

Character groups

Bohemian circle members
Family and romantic ties
Protagonist

+20 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Falk reaches his emotional and psychological nadir here, experiencing complete disillusionment and loss of sel…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Falander
friendship · positive
Falander and Rehnhjelm are friends and fellow bohemians, often interacting in artistic… How this plays out →
Agnes Rundgren
romantic · positive
Arvid Falk
friendship · positive
Arvid Falk
friendship · positive
Agnes Rundgren
romantic · positive
Falander
friendship · positive
Falander and Rehnhjelm are friends and fellow bohemians, often interacting in artistic… How this plays out →
Falander
friendship · positive
Falander and Rehnhjelm are friends and fellow bohemians, often interacting in artistic… How this plays out →
Agnes Rundgren
romantic · positive

Falander
Falander and Rehnhjelm are friends and fellow bohemians, often interacting in artistic and social settings.
Agnes Rundgren
Agnes Rundgren and Rehnhjelm share a romantic relationship, with Rehnhjelm as a suitor or lover.
Arvid Falk
Rehnhjelm is a friend and fellow bohemian, part of Arvid's artistic circle.
Arvid Falk
Rehnhjelm is a friend and fellow bohemian, part of Arvid's artistic circle.
Agnes Rundgren
Agnes Rundgren and Rehnhjelm share a romantic relationship, with Rehnhjelm as a suitor or lover.
Falander
Falander and Rehnhjelm are friends and fellow bohemians, often interacting in artistic and social settings.
Falander
Falander and Rehnhjelm are friends and fellow bohemians, often interacting in artistic and social settings.
Agnes Rundgren
Agnes Rundgren and Rehnhjelm share a romantic relationship, with Rehnhjelm as a suitor or lover.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Rehnhjelm in III: The Artists’ Colony

In the story

Rehnhjelm appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III: The Artists’ Colony
A young aristocrat studying under Lundell; he is fond of Sellén but forced to work with Lundell.
VI: The Red Room
His boots, velvet waistcoat, and other belongings are pawned by Sellén without his knowledge; he is encouraged to go on the stage.
Bills of Exchange
Mentioned as Lady Rehnhjelm, a member of Eugenia's Association for the Promotion of Women's Rights.
XI: Happy People
Accompanies Sellén, subdued because his friend and patron is leaving him.
Divine Ordinance
Present as Lady Rehnhjelm; argues against printing donors' names in charity reports, calling it disgraceful to publicize good deeds.
XIV: Absinthe
Seeks Falander's advice about becoming an actor, but finds his ideals challenged.
XV: The Theatrical Company "Phoenix"
Awakens from the orgy, visits the theatre to seek a debut, and becomes infatuated with Agnes.
XVI: In the White Mountains
His letter is read aloud, detailing his brutal treatment at the theatre, his secret engagement to a pure woman, and his despair over the art's corruption.
XVII: Natura…
Agnes's fiancé; strict and proper; has been given the part of a servant in a new play, which humiliates Agnes.
XVIII: Nihilism
Mentioned in Montanus's letter as the model for Christ in Lundell's altarpiece.
XX: On the Altar
Rehnhjelm is overjoyed about being cast as Horatio and defends his optimism against Falander's pessimism.
A Soul Overboard
Awakens troubled, confronts Agnes's betrayal, attacks her, and leaves for Stockholm in despair.
XXIX: Revue
Now manager of a large factory, visited Borg; became distressed upon reading about Agnes Rundgren.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Rehnhjelm unlock in the free preview.

See Rehnhjelm in III: The Artists’ Colony