Character guide

Christine Ludolph

major

Also known as Miss Ludolph, Christine, Ludolph, Cruel Christine, poor Christine

Christine Ludolph moves through Chicago as the world's ideal of a queen — health, beauty, wealth, accomplishments — yet feels she is living in a palace of ice and slowly turning into ice herself. Her father is proud and ambitious for her but neither loves nor trusts her much, and her restlessness she mistakes for lofty artistic ambition. When she rearranges the store on artistic principles, she brings her taste and her coldness into daily contact with the man who will first see her as a soul rather than a statue.

Dennis Fleet

major

Also known as Dennis, Fleet, honest Dennis, poor Dennis

Dennis Fleet arrives in Chicago expecting the world to be barely large enough for his ambitions, then gratefully accepts the lowliest position in Mr. Ludolph's store. Eager where his German supervisor is phlegmatic, he works with an earnestness that unsettles the old clerks and quietly begins to study art under poor Bruder. His habit of doing present duty thoroughly — and praying for the proud, beautiful woman he works beside — sets the moral engine of the story in motion.

Mr. Ludolph

supporting

Also known as Ludolph, keen Mr. Ludolph, Baron Ludolph

Mr. Ludolph keeps his store running with clockwork precision and his daughter's education in his own hands, proud of her talents and ambitious for her future on a grander stage than Chicago. He neither loves nor trusts her to any great extent, and his pride hesitates before her schemes only until she argues them down. His cold approval shapes Christine's world and sets the terms of every relationship she forms beneath his roof.

Mr. Fleet

minor

Also known as Fleet, moder Mr. Fleet

Dennis's father, a modest and supportive parent.

Miss Winthrop

supporting

Also known as Susie Winthrop, Susie, Mrs. Leonard

Miss Winthrop lingers after the other ladies flee to the dressing-rooms, and tells Dennis Fleet frankly that his brave defense of his faith has made her want to deserve the name of Christian. She is the rare member of Christine's social circle who values sincerity over fashion, and she welcomes the store clerk to her father's house without condescension. Her friendship gives Dennis a foothold in the world Christine inhabits, and quietly measures the distance between real goodness and mere polish.

Mr. Bruder

supporting

Also known as Bruder, poor Bruder, drunken old Bruder, Berthold Bruder

Berthold Bruder teaches Dennis to see the artist's thought in a clear, vigorous profile, and in return Dennis's steady presence begins to change the faces of Bruder and his wife. But his struggle is disease as much as appetite: he prays nearly every minute and still fears he must drink even though he die that moment. His slow, visible recovery becomes the living proof of the highest art — bringing out on a human face what Dennis longs to see on Christine's.

Ernst

minor

Also known as poor little Ernst, little Ernst

Mr. Bruder's young son, a pitiable child who dies tragically.

Bill Cronk

supporting

Also known as Bill, Cronk, old Bill Cronk

Bill Cronk greets Dennis with a slap on the back loud enough to startle the hungry people at the tables, and cheerfully admits he kicked like a mule when Dennis knocked the bottle from his hand. He speaks the offhand vernacular of his calling to men and a sentimental metaphor to ladies, which makes Christine shrink nearer Dennis even as she offers her hand. His rough loyalty tests Dennis's refusal to cut a humble friend, and his presence drags the story's polite world into contact with the streets it prefers to forget.

Miss Brown

minor

Also known as Brown

A fellow employee and friend of Christine at the art store.

Mr. Schwartz

minor

Also known as Schwartz, old Schwartz

A Jewish merchant and business associate of Ludolph.

Dr. Arten

minor

Also known as old Dr. Arten, shrewd old Dr. Arten

The family physician who attends to the Ludolphs and later dies dramatically.

Mr. Berder

minor

Also known as Berder, poor Berder

A poor, struggling artist who works with Dennis.

Mrs. Bruder

minor

Mr. Bruder's long-suffering wife, mother to Ernst and other children.

Mr. Cornell

minor

A business associate of Ludolph involved in financial dealings.

Ethel Fleet

minor

Also known as Ethel

Dennis's younger sister, a sweet and supportive family member.

Mrs. Von Brakhiem

minor

Also known as von

A wealthy, snobbish socialite and friend of the Ludolphs.

Mr. Brown

minor

A minor character, possibly a shopkeeper or neighbor.

Professor Leonard

minor

Also known as Professor

A scholarly man who marries Susie Winthrop.

Yahcob Bunk

minor

Also known as VIII Yahcob Bunk

A comical German immigrant encountered early in the story.

Mr. Swig

minor

A minor character, possibly a tavern keeper.

Mr. French

minor

A business acquaintance of Ludolph.

Archer

minor

Also known as Mr. Archer

A minor character, possibly an employee or associate.

Baroness Ludolph

minor

Also known as the Baroness Ludolph

Christine's deceased mother, mentioned in backstory.

Mr. Winthrop

minor

Susie Winthrop's father, mentioned briefly.

Mr. Jones

minor

A minor character, possibly a neighbor or tradesman.

Brandt

minor

A minor character, possibly an employee of Ludolph.