# Freder — Metropolis character guide > Freder in Metropolis by Thea von Harbou. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Freder, VIII Freder **First appearance:** 0001-metropolis ## Snapshot The Master of Metropolis's golden son, who trades his penthouse paradise for blue linen and a place among the men who feed the god-machines. ## Who they are Freder is heir to Joh Fredersen's empire, raised above the city's worker-masses until a glimpse of their suffering pulls him down into the machine halls and the subterranean depths where Maria's voice calls. His privileged name opens doors, but his true tension is filial: he loves the father whose order he begins to question, and he wants to be a man among men rather than a son above them. His descent is the novel's hinge, turning a dynastic drama into a struggle over what Metropolis is for. ## Relationships ### [Josaphat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/josaphat) _friendship_ Freder and Josaphat are close companions, with Josaphat acting as a loyal confidant and ally in Freder's journey. ### [Maria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/maria) _romantic_ Freder and Maria share a deep romantic bond, with Maria inspiring Freder's rebellion and hope. ### [Rotwang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/rotwang) _rivalry_ Freder and Rotwang are bitter enemies, with Rotwang scheming against Freder and his father. ### [Slim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/slim) _friendship_ Freder and Slim are allies, with Slim often assisting Freder in navigating the underworld. ### [Georgi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/georgi) _friendship_ Freder and Georgi are friends, with Georgi acting as a loyal worker ally. ### [The Master of Metropolis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/the_master_of_metropolis) _family_ Freder is the son of the Master of Metropolis, but their relationship is strained by ideological conflict. ### [Jan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/jan) _friendship_ Freder and Jan are friends, with Jan being a fellow worker and supporter. ### [Grot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/grot) _professional_ Freder and Grot have a professional relationship, with Grot as a foreman who initially opposes but later aids Freder. ### [Hel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/hel) _family_ Hel is Freder's deceased mother, and his memories of her are a source of emotional motivation. ### [The Virgin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/the_virgin) _psychological_ Freder is obsessed with the Virgin, a robotic doppelgänger of Maria created by Rotwang to deceive the masses. ### [Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/death) _psychological_ Death is a symbolic figure that haunts Freder, representing his existential fears and the mortality of the workers. ### [Ganesha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/ganesha) _social_ Freder encounters Ganesha as a mystical figure, representing spiritual guidance in his journey. ## In the story ### [The New Tower of Babel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/i) Freder observes the workers and the city from his workshop, reflecting on his father's power and his own longing for freedom. He is haunted by a vision and feels trapped by Slim's surveillance. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/ii) Confronts his father, describing the machine-rooms as temples to terrible gods and the workers as drained, hollowed beings. He insists the workers have his face. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/iii) Descends to the machine hell, exchanges places with Georgi, and takes his post at the Paternoster machine. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/v) Works the machine until collapse, is led to the catacombs, hears Maria's voice, and reunites with her. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as Joh Fredersen's son who exchanged clothes with Georgi. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/vii) Arrives at Josaphat's apartment in worker's clothes, having exchanged suits with Georgi. Declares himself free from his father and seeks Josaphat's trust and companionship. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/viii) Freder recovers from a physical collapse, visits the cathedral, and later enters Rotwang's house after seeing a vision of Maria. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/x) Recounts his apocalyptic dream to Josaphat, then falls into a state of utter helplessness, standing motionless on his balcony for days, unresponsive even to his father. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xi) Freder recounts his dream and his experience in the cathedral, seeking Maria and confronting the monk's sermon. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xii) Discussed as being ill and in love with Maria, having told her 'My father no longer has a son.' His mother compares his stubbornness to Joh's. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xiv) Observes Maria's speech from the background, horrified by the call to violence; later confronts the mob and is saved by Georgi. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xv) Maria thinks of Freder in her fear and prayer. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xvi) Desperately runs through the New Tower of Babel, shouting for his father, and confronts Joh Fredersen amid the machine-gods' rampage. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xviii) Desperately works to rescue Maria and the children from the flooded underground city; confronts Grot and carries Maria to safety. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xix) Carries Maria to safety, expresses longing for her affection, and obeys her request to go to his father. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xx) Desperately races to save Maria, crosses a dangerous bridge, and is bound by the mob as the pyre is lit. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxi) Lies trampled near the bonfire but is roused by Maria's scream. He sees her plight and shouts his intention to save her. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxii) Rescues Maria from Rotwang on the cathedral roof, carrying her to safety. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxiii) Desperately calls to Maria, holds her unconscious body, confronts his father, and revives Maria with a kiss. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxiv) Freder is with Maria in the cathedral, expressing love and longing. He agrees to act as mediator between his father and the workers. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxv) Discussed by Joh as having a face that blends his own, Hel's, and Maria's, and reflects the masses. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/freder - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters