# The Head of Misery — Figures of Earth character guide

> The Head of Misery in Figures of Earth by James Branch Cabell.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Misery

**First appearance:** 0028-xix-the-head-of-misery

## Snapshot

A clay head that must be fed by candlelight and carried over thresholds, who argues with Manuel about immortality and finds religion a useful ally.

## Who they are

The Misery of earth, whom some call Béda and others Kruchina, comes to Manuel as a severed head of white clay that must be lifted over the threshold and fed soup with a gold spoon. It debates Manuel through the night, doubting that men carry immortal spirits and suggesting that living snuffs the divine spark out of most of them. Manuel answers with stubborn, sleepy good sense, and their exchange becomes one of the book's sharpest reckonings with what suffering is for.

## Relationships

### [Dom Manuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/dom_manuel)

_psychological_

A mystical, severed head that torments Manuel with prophecies and existential dread, representing his inner guilt and fate.

### [Niafer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/niafer)

_psychological_

Niafer is haunted and disturbed by the Head of Misery, which serves as a symbol of her husband's dark fate and her own suffering.

### [Dom Manuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/dom_manuel)

_psychological_

A mystical, severed head that torments Manuel with prophecies and existential dread, representing his inner guilt and fate.

### [Dom Manuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/dom_manuel)

_psychological_

A mystical, severed head that torments Manuel with prophecies and existential dread, representing his inner guilt and fate.

### [Niafer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/niafer)

_psychological_

Niafer is haunted and disturbed by the Head of Misery, which serves as a symbol of her husband's dark fate and her own suffering.

### [Niafer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/niafer)

_psychological_

Niafer is haunted and disturbed by the Head of Misery, which serves as a symbol of her husband's dark fate and her own suffering.

## In the story

### [Figures of Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/figures-of-earth)

Appears as a prophetic and ominous figure, warning Manuel of the inevitable misery that accompanies his quest.

### [Part III: The Book of Cast Accounts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/part-iii-the-book-of-cast-accounts)

Misery is addressed by Manuel in this philosophical exchange.

### [XIX: The Head of Misery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xix-the-head-of-misery)

Summoned by Manuel, fed soup, and placed in a bamboo cradle for the night.

### [XX: The Month of Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xx-the-month-of-years)

The trunkless head that Manuel serves; roams the world spreading plague and sorrow, returns at night to the gray hut; engages in philosophical discussions with Manuel.

### [XXI: Touching Repayment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xxi-touching-repayment)

Misery repays Manuel's service by aiding in the resurrection of Niafer, though he warns of future disillusionment.

### [XXII: Return of Niafer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xxii-return-of-niafer)

Enters the pagan paradise, clings to Niafer, and prophesies her future before departing.

### [Manuel Gets His Desire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xxiii-manuel-gets-his-desire)

Implied as the force behind Manuel's aging and the strange events in Dun Vlechlan; Manuel notes that Misery dealt handsomely with them but suspects he was also called Mimir.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/the_head_of_misery
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters