At the Earth’s Core · Character

Abner Perry

A devout old inventor whose lifetime obsession with a mechanical subterranean prospector drags his young companion into the earth's crust.

major

Also known as Perry, Dear old Perry

First appearance: prologue

As a major figure in At the Earth’s Core, Abner Perry is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Inventor of the subterranean prospector; accompanies Innes and prays as they face death.

In the storyI: Toward the Eternal FiresOpen this moment free

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Abner Perry has spent a long life perfecting an iron mole that can bore through solid rock, and his scientific pride in the machine outweighs even his fear of death. When the device plunges past its intended depth, he curses the stubborn mechanism rather than pray, revealing that his true religion is discovery. His relentless curiosity and stubborn genius keep the expedition pressing forward into the unknown.

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See Abner Perry in prologue

Character Web

9 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Pellucidar's Human Allies
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of betrayal and desp…

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In the story

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

I: Toward the Eternal Fires
Inventor of the subterranean prospector; accompanies Innes and prays as they face death.
A Strange World
Revived by David after unconsciousness; expresses wonder at the strange world and theorizes they may be inside the Earth.
A Change of Masters
Reunited with David in the ape village; explains that they have entered the hollow earth and are now in the inner world of Pellucidar.
IV: Dian the Beautiful
Struggles with the long marches; identifies prehistoric sea creatures as Plesiosaurs and Ichthyosaurs; his habit of praying is used by David to intimidate the Sagoths.
Slaves
Moral objections to killing Mahars; reveals Mahar history and secret formula; proposes stealing it for humanity's benefit.
The Beginning of Horror
Identifies the thag as a prehistoric Bos; separated from David in the chaos.
VII: Freedom
Mentioned as the friend David left behind in Phutra; his plight motivates David's actions and weighs on his conscience.
IX: The Face of Death
David thinks of Perry and his duty to return to him in Phutra.
Phutra Again
Mentioned as the friend David must rescue from Phutra.
XI: Four Dead Mahars
Waits with Ghak in the upper levels while David carries out the plan.
Pursuit
Exhausted from the journey, he is carried by Ghak; his presence slows the group, but he is not left behind.
The Sly One
Carried to safety by Ghak; not directly active in this chapter.
Back to Earth
Prepares the prospector for the return journey, inspects machinery, and is suspected by Ghak of possessing the Great Secret book.

Chapter companion notes

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See Abner Perry in prologue

See Abner Perry in I: Toward the Eternal Fires