# Mr. Lindau — A Hazard of New Fortunes character guide > Mr. Lindau in A Hazard of New Fortunes by William Dean Howells. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Lindau, poor old Lindau, old Mr. Lindau, old Lindau **First appearance:** 0001-a-hazard-of-new-fortunes ## Snapshot An elderly, radical German socialist and March's former tutor, whose inflexible principles make him a walking provocation in polite company. ## Who they are Lindau is a veteran of European revolutions and a translator of manuscripts for Every Other Week, hired out of gratitude and old friendship but incapable of softening his denunciations of the rich. His fierce, unbending socialism — a partial truth that hurts worse than the whole — turns a dinner invitation into a social explosion. He matters because his presence forces the magazine's comfortable men to confront the class contradictions they would rather keep in the abstract. ## In the story ### [Part First](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/a-hazard-of-new-fortunes) March's old friend, a radical German socialist and Civil War veteran who becomes a translator for the magazine. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-first-xii) Old friend of March, recognized in a German restaurant; recalls their shared past in Indianapolis; reveals his wife died long ago. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-i) Lindau is introduced as an old German model, an educated man and war veteran who lost a hand, now struggling to find work. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-iii) Lindau is modeling for Beaton's bust of Judas. He is an old man, shabbily dressed, and is also sitting for a young ladies' class. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-vii) Mentioned as being modeled by Beaton as Judas Iscariot, and considered for a translator role. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-viii) Discussed by March and his wife; March defends Lindau's character and considers hiring him as a translator for the magazine. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-xi) Found living in a poor tenement on the East Side; March's visit reveals his neglected state. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-xii) Living in a poor tenement by choice to stay connected to the poor; accepts translation work but criticizes capitalism and millionaires. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-xiii) His radical views are discussed; he contributes a translation of Dostoyevsky to the first issue. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-i) A radical veteran who tutors Tom in German; expresses controversial views on class, law, and opportunity, causing tension in the March household. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-iv) Lindau delivers copy, insists on cash payment, engages in heated debates with Fulkerson about capitalism, and renounces his pension out of political principle. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-v) Has accepted the dinner invitation despite March's concerns about his principles clashing with Dryfoos's wealth. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-vi) Passionately argues for workers' rights and socialism, clashing with Dryfoos and Colonel Woodburn. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-vii) Though not present, his principles and past actions are the central point of conflict, defended by March and Conrad. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-viii) Returns his payment and resigns from the magazine, unable to accept money he believes is tainted by speculation and oppression. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-ix) The translator whose controversial opinions caused the rift; has withdrawn from the magazine, resolving the immediate crisis. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-iii) Mentioned as having renounced March along with Dryfoos's money; Fulkerson speculates on his reaction to the strike. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-v) Lindau is seen shouting at the police during the riot and is clubbed by an officer, falling unconscious. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-vii) Lindau is mentioned as having been injured in the strike; March defends his character and ideals, though Mrs. March criticizes him. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-viii) Lindau is recovering from an amputation, suffering greatly and kept under opiates. March visits him and finds he is not fully conscious. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-ix) Lindau is dying in the hospital, attended by Margaret Vance, and is beyond recognition. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-x) Lindau has died from injuries sustained in the strike, though Dryfoos is initially unaware of this. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-xi) Lindau is remembered as having died in a bad cause, having renounced American means and sympathized with violence. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-xiii) Reported as clubbed during the strike; his funeral is held at Dryfoos's house. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/characters/lindau - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/characters