# The American — Last and First Men character guide

> The American in Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** The American, the American

**First appearance:** 0009-i-europe-and-america

## Who they are

A representative American individual, possibly a leader or citizen.

## In the story

### [II: The Origins of a Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/ii-the-origins-of-a-mystery)

The representative of the United States who pleads for the weapon to be used to stop his own countrymen.

### [On an Island in the Pacific](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iii-on-an-island-in-the-pacific)

Represents American commercial and Puritanical values; negotiates the formation of the World Finance Directorate, but is visibly disturbed by the woman's nudity and the Chinese envoy's flirtation.

### [I: The Cult of Evanescence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/i-the-cult-of-evanescence)

Cited as an extinct type that the Fifth Men reconstruct with affectionate insight.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_american
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters