# Mr. Ludolph — Barriers Burned Away character guide > Mr. Ludolph in Barriers Burned Away by Edward Payson Roe. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Ludolph, keen Mr. Ludolph, Baron Ludolph **First appearance:** 0004-ii-love-known ## Snapshot A keen merchant who educates his daughter himself according to his own views, prizing her brilliance as an ornament of his ambition. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Christine Ludolph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/christine_ludolph) _family_ Father-daughter relationship marked by mutual affection but also conflict over Christine's independence and faith. ### [Dennis Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/dennis_fleet) _professional_ Dennis works for Mr. Ludolph as an employee, with underlying tension due to Dennis's romantic interest in Christine. ### [Mr. Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_fleet) _professional_ Business acquaintances, with Mr. Fleet working under Mr. Ludolph's employment. ### [Mr. Berder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_berder) _professional_ Business partners or associates in the art trade, with a formal relationship. ### [Dennis Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/dennis_fleet) _professional_ Dennis works for Mr. Ludolph as an employee, with underlying tension due to Dennis's romantic interest in Christine. ### [Christine Ludolph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/christine_ludolph) _family_ Father-daughter relationship marked by mutual affection but also conflict over Christine's independence and faith. ### [Dennis Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/dennis_fleet) _professional_ Dennis works for Mr. Ludolph as an employee, with underlying tension due to Dennis's romantic interest in Christine. ### [Mr. Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_fleet) _professional_ Business acquaintances, with Mr. Fleet working under Mr. Ludolph's employment. ### [Mr. Berder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_berder) _professional_ Business partners or associates in the art trade, with a formal relationship. ### [Christine Ludolph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/christine_ludolph) _family_ Father-daughter relationship marked by mutual affection but also conflict over Christine's independence and faith. ### [Mr. Berder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_berder) _professional_ Business partners or associates in the art trade, with a formal relationship. ### [Mr. Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_fleet) _professional_ Business acquaintances, with Mr. Fleet working under Mr. Ludolph's employment. ## In the story ### [Barriers Burned Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/barriers-burned-away) The owner of the art store, who hires Dennis and represents the established social and economic barriers. ### [IX: Land at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/ix-land-at-last) Shrewd employer who dismisses Pat and hires Dennis; shows contempt for religion but values practical honesty. ### [X: The New Broom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/x-the-new-broom) Observes Dennis's potential, gives an impromptu lesson on artistic arrangement, and tests Dennis's humility by supporting the bootblack demand. ### [XI: Too Much Alike](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xi-too-much-alike) Observes the resemblance between Christine and the painting; teases Dennis about his reaction. ### [Blue Blood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xii-blue-blood) A cynical, ambitious German immigrant who has lost faith in everything except money and will. He manipulates Christine into joining his plan for social climbing, watching her with distrust but gradually believing in her commitment. ### [XIII: Very Cold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xiii-very-cold) Grants Christine permission to rearrange the store after being won over by her arguments. He is proud and ambitious but does not truly love or trust her. ### [XIV: She Speaks to Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xiv-she-speaks-to-him) Follows his daughter during her inspection and makes a condescending remark to Dennis after his stumble. ### [Promoted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xv-promoted) Shrewd and stern, he promotes Dennis for merit but shows no pity in firing Berder for lying. ### [Just in Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xvi-just-in-time) Analyzes Dennis's character cynically, predicting he will resist Christine's influence due to his faith. ### [Miss Ludolph Makes a Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xviii-miss-ludolph-makes-a-discovery) Observes Dennis's energetic work, envies his zest for life, approves of Ernst, and is seen writing in his office early. ### [XIX: What Is the Matter with Him?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xix-what-is-the-matter-with-him) Accompanies Christine to the store; mentioned as having practiced hand in billiards. ### [XX: Is He a Gentleman?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xx-is-he-a-gentleman) Mentioned as having informed Christine that Dennis's motive for sweeping the store is to support his mother and sisters. ### [Christine's Idea of Christians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxi-christine-s-idea-of-christians) Mentioned by Christine as an example of an infidel who lives similarly to churchgoing gentlemen. ### [The Revelation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxiii-the-revelation) Observes Dennis's performance with astonishment and speaks kindly to him afterward. ### [Night Thoughts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxiv-night-thoughts) Accompanies Christine to the party and defends the Browns' hospitality, but is persuaded to leave early. ### [XXV: Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxv-darkness) Anxious and worried about Christine's illness; seeks a nurse and asks Dennis for help. ### [Miss Ludolph Commits a Theft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxvi-miss-ludolph-commits-a-theft) Comforts Christine, dismisses religious faith, and focuses on material success and future plans. ### [A Miserable Triumph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxvii-a-miserable-triumph) Mr. Ludolph brings in experts to examine the two paintings and challenges them to identify the copy. He promotes Dennis to a better position in the store. ### [Life Without Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxviii-life-without-love) Defends Christine's secret authorship of the painting and plans to restore her pride with practical talk. ### [XXIX: Dennis's Love Put to Practical Use](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxix-dennis-s-love-put-to-practical-use) Observes Christine's mood but misinterprets it as a passing disappointment. ### [The Two Heights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxx-the-two-heights) He unknowingly aids Christine's scheme by inviting Dennis to sing. He is initially skeptical but eventually considers Christine's proposal to buy Mr. Jones's house. ### [Beguiled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxi-beguiled) Mentioned as Christine's father, whose ambition for Christine's future is noted by Miss Winthrop. ### [Bitter Disappointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxii-bitter-disappointment) Rarely sees Dennis and Christine together; his daughter's indifference in his presence prevents suspicion. ### [The Two Pictures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-two-pictures) Present when Dennis collapses; expresses concern about Dennis's duties. ### [Regret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxiv-regret) Observes Christine's forced gaiety and resolves to guard against Dennis; plans for Christine to shine in Europe. ### [XXXV: Remorse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxv-remorse) Angered by Christine's distress, he confronts her but is met with cold defiance. He departs for New York, leaving her under Mrs. Von Brakhiem's care. ### [An Apparition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxvi-an-apparition) Accompanies Christine to the store and later greets Dennis with less cordiality. ### [If He Knew!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxvii-if-he-knew) Suspects Christine's feelings for Dennis and hires a maid to spy on her, determined to protect his ambitions for her future. ### [The Gates Open](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-gates-open) Fires Dennis by letter and hosts a revel at his mansion on the night of Mrs. Fleet's funeral. ### [Susie Winthrop Appears Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxix-susie-winthrop-appears-again) Discharged Dennis, becomes Baron Ludolph after his brother's death, and continues to spy on Christine through the maid. ### [Suggestive Pictures and a Prize](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xl-suggestive-pictures-and-a-prize) Observes Christine's reaction with a heavy frown and rage, suspecting her painting and her feelings for Dennis. ### [XLI: Fire! Fire!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xli-fire-fire) Leaves Christine for his place of business, hoping to prevent her meeting Dennis, and later sits in his library planning to send her to Germany. ### [Baron Ludolph Learns the Truth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xlii-baron-ludolph-learns-the-truth) In a rage, enters the burning Art Building to retrieve papers and perishes when the building collapses. ### [Christine, Awake! For Your Life!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xliii-christine-awake-for-your-life) Perishes in the fire, his lips closed forever after uttering an oath; his ambitious dream destroyed. ### [XLV: “Prayer Is Mighty”—Christine a Christian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xlv-prayer-is-mighty-christine-a-christian) Mentioned as having lost store, home, and probably most of his fortune in the fire; Christine hopes this will lead him to remain in America. ### [Christine's Grave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xlvi-christine-s-grave) Christine expresses concern for his safety and a desire to make amends for not being a true daughter. ### [Every Barrier Burned Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/l-every-barrier-burned-away) His ashes remain at the site of the Art Building; Christine mourns him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_ludolph - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters