# Mr. Swammer — Master Flea character guide

> Mr. Swammer in Master Flea by E. T. A. Hoffmann.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Swammer, old Swammer, the misanthropic Swammer, the old Swammer

**First appearance:** 0000-i-first-adventure

## Snapshot

A misanthropic old collector whose open door and alluring ward, Dörtje Elverdink, keep luring Peregrine back into the very house he has sworn to avoid.

## Who they are

Swammer belongs to the small circle of curious, half-scholarly figures surrounding Peregrine Tyss, and his chambers function as a threshold between respectable Frankfurt society and something far stranger. He is the guardian of the lovely Dörtje Elverdink, and his invitation to visit is precisely what Master Flea warns Peregrine against, since it threatens to deliver the flea back into hostile hands. His misanthropy and his ambiguous hospitality make him a quiet agent of fate: every time Peregrine resolves to stay away, Swammer's world pulls him back, and the plot tightens around him accordingly.

## Relationships

### [Peregrine Tyss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/peregrine_tyss)

_rivalry_

Swammer is a jealous and antagonistic figure who constantly opposes Peregrine's pursuits.

### [Antonie van Leeuwenhoek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/antonie_van_leeuwenhoek)

_rivalry_

Leeuwenhoek and Swammer are scientific rivals, each vying for prestige in the world of microscopy.

### [Alina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/alina)

_social_

Alina and Swammer are acquaintances, with Swammer occasionally involving her in his plots.

### [Peregrine Tyss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/peregrine_tyss)

_rivalry_

Swammer is a jealous and antagonistic figure who constantly opposes Peregrine's pursuits.

### [Antonie van Leeuwenhoek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/antonie_van_leeuwenhoek)

_rivalry_

Leeuwenhoek and Swammer are scientific rivals, each vying for prestige in the world of microscopy.

### [Alina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/alina)

_social_

Alina and Swammer are acquaintances, with Swammer occasionally involving her in his plots.

### [Peregrine Tyss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/peregrine_tyss)

_rivalry_

Swammer is a jealous and antagonistic figure who constantly opposes Peregrine's pursuits.

### [Antonie van Leeuwenhoek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/antonie_van_leeuwenhoek)

_rivalry_

Leeuwenhoek and Swammer are scientific rivals, each vying for prestige in the world of microscopy.

## In the story

### [III: Third Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/iii-third-adventure)

Reveals himself as Jan Swammerdam; claims Dörtje Elverdink has taken refuge with him from her cruel uncle Leeuwenhoek.

### [Fifth Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/v-fifth-adventure)

Mentioned as the person with whom Dörtje is staying in the house.

### [Sixth Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/vi-sixth-adventure)

Enters with George Pepusch, appearing delighted; helps save Master Flea from danger.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/mr_swammer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters