# Mr. Bruder — Barriers Burned Away character guide

> Mr. Bruder in Barriers Burned Away by Edward Payson Roe.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0008-vi-starve-then

## Snapshot

A German artist whose hand still draws with mastery while his will fights a disease of drink that prays and loses by turns.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Dennis Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/dennis_fleet)

_professional_

Colleagues at the art gallery, with Mr. Bruder serving as a mentor and ally to Dennis.

### [Christine Ludolph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/christine_ludolph)

_professional_

Christine interacts with Mr. Bruder as a gallery employee and occasional advisor.

### [Ernst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/ernst)

_professional_

Colleagues in service to the Ludolph household, with a cooperative dynamic.

### [Dennis Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/dennis_fleet)

_professional_

Colleagues at the art gallery, with Mr. Bruder serving as a mentor and ally to Dennis.

### [Dennis Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/dennis_fleet)

_professional_

Colleagues at the art gallery, with Mr. Bruder serving as a mentor and ally to Dennis.

### [Christine Ludolph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/christine_ludolph)

_professional_

Christine interacts with Mr. Bruder as a gallery employee and occasional advisor.

### [Ernst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/ernst)

_professional_

Colleagues in service to the Ludolph household, with a cooperative dynamic.

### [Christine Ludolph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/christine_ludolph)

_professional_

Christine interacts with Mr. Bruder as a gallery employee and occasional advisor.

## In the story

### [Just in Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xvi-just-in-time)

In a drunken frenzy, attempts to sell the family's last painting to buy drink, but is stopped by Dennis.

### [Rescued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xvii-rescued)

A former artist now in deep despair and struggling with alcoholism; he is moved by Dennis's kindness and begins to hope again.

### [Miss Ludolph Makes a Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xviii-miss-ludolph-makes-a-discovery)

Receives advice from Dennis to start with simple art subjects for commercial success, and begins sketching a man dashing a wineglass.

### [XIX: What Is the Matter with Him?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xix-what-is-the-matter-with-him)

Comments on Dennis's sketches, offering guidance and lessons; struggles with his drinking habit but shows signs of improvement; his wife's face reflects fading misery.

### [The Two Heights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxx-the-two-heights)

Dennis's painting teacher, who is puzzled by Dennis's sudden obsession with painting ice, then warm light and foliage, but obliges his requests.

### [The Two Pictures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-two-pictures)

Rushes with his wife to Dennis's side out of gratitude.

### [An Apparition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxvi-an-apparition)

Welcomes Dennis back with joy; Dennis resumes art studies under his direction.

### [Susie Winthrop Appears Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxix-susie-winthrop-appears-again)

Dies of typhoid fever, weakened by past excess; Dennis and Mrs. Bruder support the family after his death.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_bruder
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters