Barriers Burned Away · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Barriers Burned Away by Edward Payson Roe.
Skim names here — open a free preview to see character cards and Character Web beside the page as you read.
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.