Dodsworth · Character

Kurt von Obersdorf

A charming, proud Austrian count whose feudal manners and threadbare flat enchant Fran and quietly expose the hollowness of her European dream.

supporting

Also known as Kurt, Obersdorf, Count Obersdorf

First appearance: x

As a supporting figure in Dodsworth, Kurt von Obersdorf is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Acts as guide and entertainer, playing piano and mixing cocktails; openly analyzes Fran's personality, stirring Sam's jealousy.

In the storyChapter XXIIOpen this moment free

See Kurt von Obersdorf in Chapter XXII Book page

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Kurt von Obersdorf is the aristocrat Fran has been looking for: gracious, poor, and convinced of his own nobility. His chumminess with servants and his refusal of her electric range reveal a man whose pride is both genuine and brittle, and his relationship with Fran forces Sam to see his wife as a woman reborn into someone he no longer recognizes. Kurt matters because he is the test case for whether Europe can actually give Fran what she claims to want.

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See Kurt von Obersdorf in x

Character Web

27 connections

A slice of how Kurt von Obersdorf sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Romantic
Other

Character groups

Fran's European circle
Sam's American contacts
Wider social orbit
Protagonist

+22 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This is the story's dramatic climax because Fran’s monologue marks the emotional and psychological peak of her…

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Relationships

Sam Dodsworth
friendship · positive
Mutual respect and camaraderie between Sam and the aristocratic German, though Kurt is… How this plays out →
Fran Dodsworth
romantic · ambivalent
Sam Dodsworth
friendship · positive
Mutual respect and camaraderie between Sam and the aristocratic German, though Kurt is… How this plays out →
Fran Dodsworth
romantic · ambivalent
Fran Dodsworth
romantic · ambivalent
Sam Dodsworth
friendship · positive
Mutual respect and camaraderie between Sam and the aristocratic German, though Kurt is… How this plays out →

Sam Dodsworth
Mutual respect and camaraderie between Sam and the aristocratic German, though Kurt is also drawn to Fran.
Fran Dodsworth
Fran pursues a flirtation and romantic affair with Kurt, drawn by his aristocratic status and European charm.
Sam Dodsworth
Mutual respect and camaraderie between Sam and the aristocratic German, though Kurt is also drawn to Fran.
Fran Dodsworth
Fran pursues a flirtation and romantic affair with Kurt, drawn by his aristocratic status and European charm.
Fran Dodsworth
Fran pursues a flirtation and romantic affair with Kurt, drawn by his aristocratic status and European charm.
Sam Dodsworth
Mutual respect and camaraderie between Sam and the aristocratic German, though Kurt is also drawn to Fran.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Kurt von Obersdorf in x

In the story

Kurt von Obersdorf appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IX
Not present in this chapter.
Chapter XXII
Acts as guide and entertainer, playing piano and mixing cocktails; openly analyzes Fran's personality, stirring Sam's jealousy.
Chapter XXIII
Shows Fran an album of his boyhood home, sits intimately with her, and is the object of her flirtation; later toasts America.
XXIV
Acts as a constant companion and mediator; Sam suspects he is waiting for the Dodsworths' marriage to break.
XXV
Plans to dine with Sam and a friend, gives Sam bon voyage gifts, and is left alone with Fran.
XXVII
Mentioned in Fran's letters as her companion in Germany.
XXVIII
Present with Fran when Sam arrives; Fran states Kurt loves her and wants to marry her.
XXIX
Visits Sam to offer to leave Berlin for Sam and Fran's sake, but Sam refuses.
The Wandering of Samuel Dodsworth
Sam thinks of helping Kurt win Fran; Kurt is part of Sam's torment.
XXXI
Listed among those present at the dinner for Fran in Berlin, as reported in the newspaper Sam reads.
XXXIII
Referenced in Fran's letter as her 'man'; she plans to make him head of a Berlin bank branch.
XXXIV
Mentioned as one of the resilient Europeans Sam admires; Fran's potential marriage to him is referenced.
XXXV
Mentioned as having rejected Fran under pressure from his mother, leading to her crisis.
XXXVI
Fran criticizes Kurt as bossy and dismisses his family, but Sam defends him.

Chapter companion notes

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See Kurt von Obersdorf in x

See Kurt von Obersdorf in Chapter XXII