# Engineer Prokop — Krakatit character guide > Engineer Prokop in Krakatit by Karel Čapek. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Prokop, Mr. Prokop, Eng. Prokop, Mr. Eng. **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Who they are A brilliant, nerve-shredded engineer who has just synthesized Krakatit, an explosive so absolute that possessing it feels less like triumph than a sentence. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/i) Feverish and disoriented, Prokop rambles about Krakatit and his fear of its destructive power. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/ii) Delirious with fever, rambles about his explosive discoveries and atomic theories. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/iii) Delirious and feverish, Prokop experiences vivid nightmares and hallucinations, revealing his obsession with Krakatit and his past. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/iv) Ill and disoriented after the explosion, he agrees to follow Thomas to prevent his suicide. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/v) Plagued by feverish dreams, he is deeply infatuated with the veiled girl and insists on delivering the parcel to Thomas despite his injury. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/vi) Feverish and exhausted, Prokop travels to Tynice to find Dr. Thomas, but collapses upon arrival. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/vii) Awakens from a three-week illness, disoriented and weak, reciting Greek poetry involuntarily. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/viii) Wakes from a twenty-day sleep, weak and with memory loss, following doctor's orders to stay awake. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/ix) Recovering from illness, takes walks in the garden, struggles with memory loss, plays billiards with Annie, and engages in scientific discussions with the doctor. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/x) Recovering from his illness, he helps the doctor with medicines and conducts a dangerous experiment that injures his hand. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xi) Struggles with his scientific work and his growing attraction to Annie; reflects on his past and his sense of isolation. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xii) Struggles with his feelings for Annie, torn between desire and respect for her innocence. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xiii) His romantic feelings for Annie are interrupted by a newspaper ad that forces him to confront his past with Krakatit. He is consumed by jealousy and suspicion regarding the veiled girl and George Thomas, ultimately breaking the seals on the package he was entrusted to deliver. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xiv) Impatient and distracted, he leaves the doctor's house to find the woman from the letter, despite Annie's distress. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xv) Prokop searches for Thomas in Prague, investigates his abandoned flat, and reads his correspondence, uncovering Thomas's fraudulent dealings and the desperate love letters from 'M.' ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xvi) Finds his laboratory looted and confronts Carson about his stolen work. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xvii) Refuses to sell Krakatit despite Carson's offers and threats, showing his moral stance. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xviii) Agitated and horrified by the implications of Krakatit's explosive nature, he realizes the catastrophic potential of the substance. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xix) Feverish and desperate, Prokop insists Krakatit must not be given up, but is physically weak and eventually agrees to Carson's plan. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xx) Wakes with a hangover, recalls his drunken behavior, and is visited by Sir Reginald Carson. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxi) Confronts the two Carsons, locks them in, and later is questioned by the police president. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxii) Obsessively searches for the veiled lady, devising and abandoning multiple plans. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxiii) Arrives at Balttin, determined to leave immediately but is persuaded to stay; feels embarrassed and frustrated by Carson's antics. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxiv) Feels imprisoned and dejected, explores the park, confronts Carson, and witnesses the boxing match. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxv) Conducts experiments in the laboratory, attempts escape, confronts the Princess, and goes on a destructive rampage before being found asleep. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxvi) Frustrated by surveillance, causes an explosion, confronts the Princess, and argues with Carson. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxvii) Prokop is the central figure, negotiating his freedom, studying horseback riding, and suffering a broken leg after a fall from Premier. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxviii) Recovering from leg injury, develops explosive sensitivity, interacts with Princess and others. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxix) Obsessed with his explosive work, he risks his life to save the Princess and shares an intimate moment with her. ### [The Explosion of Vicit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxx) Demonstrates his explosive, Vicit, and is caught in a turbulent, passionate relationship with the Princess. He feels alienated from the aristocratic society and is consumed by his obsession. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxxi) Waits for the Princess, writes a bitter letter, confronts Carson, and intrudes on the social gathering. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxxii) Experiences a profound emotional crisis, oscillating between cold detachment, rage, and despair over the Princess. He works obsessively on his explosive experiments and acts erratically, attacking Holz and firing shots. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxxiii) Prokop is emotionally torn between his love for the Princess and his feelings of inferiority due to his non-aristocratic birth. He expresses a desire to achieve greatness for her sake but is haunted by doubts about her fidelity and his own worth. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxxiv) Feels out of place among the nobility, becomes angry at the farce of homage, and shares a passionate, farewell-like embrace with the Princess. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxxv) Waits for the Princess in the park, is the recipient of her confessions, and is both disturbed and moved by her self-analysis and passion. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxxvi) Defiant and resolute, he refuses to leave despite pressure from Uncle Rohn. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxxvii) Fortifies the laboratory, confronts Carson with threats, and reassures the family council about the royal heir's safety. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxxviii) Obsessively preparing explosives, using the Princess's ring as shrapnel, and planning to confront the heir. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xxxix) Fortifies in guard's quarters, attempts to decipher Princess's signals, and faces increasing obstacles in his quest. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xl) Sneaks into the stable to see the Princess, then falls ill with fever and melancholy. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xli) Ill and recovering, he collapses after the Princess sends away the heir, and is diagnosed with influenza and pneumonia. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xlii) Feverish and delirious, he relives nightmares about Krakatit and the Princess, and later recovers with the help of Dr. Krafft. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xliii) Recovering from illness, agitated by the Princess's letters, and confronted with a military proposal to hand over Krakatit. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xliv) Bursts in, accuses the Princess of being a spy, reveals his humble origins, and struggles between his love for her and his duty to keep Krakatit. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xlv) Tormented by guilt and despair, he agrees to give up Krakatit, feeling trapped and defeated. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xlvi) Grieving the Princess's departure, he is physically and emotionally exhausted, eventually agreeing to go with Mr. d'Hémon. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xlvii) Prokop is the reluctant holder of immense destructive power, tempted by Daimon's rhetoric but suspicious of his motives. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xlviii) Delivers a passionate and confused speech about releasing one's inner force, comparing it to explosive matter. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/xlix) Presents Krakatit to the anarchists, is overwhelmed by the crowd, and escapes with Daimon and the girl. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/l) Prokop is disoriented and haunted by the replica of his laboratory, and he is obsessed with the photograph of the veiled girl. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/li) Asks about Grottup, drinks with Daimon, interacts with the girl, and struggles with his emotions before leaving. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/lii) Desperate to warn Thomas and learn the veiled lady's identity, he waits at the factory gates, pleads with the staff, and flees as the explosion occurs. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/liii) Fleeing the explosion at Grottup, he meets an old man who shows him the world and offers guidance. He admits he has forgotten how to make Krakatit. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/chapters/liv) Travels with the old man, is emotionally overwhelmed, recognizes the old man as a father figure, and is haunted by the search for a mysterious woman. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/characters/prokop - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/krakatit_se/characters