# Joh Fredersen — Metropolis character guide > Joh Fredersen in Metropolis by Thea von Harbou. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Fredersen, Only Joh Fredersen, Joh **First appearance:** 0001-metropolis ## Snapshot The cold, exacting master of Metropolis, who runs the city like a machine and treats his own son as one more instrument of order. ## Who they are Joh Fredersen commands from the New Tower, his fingers on the little blue metal plate that keeps the great Metropolis roaring and its workers punctual. He is a ruler of terrible precision, unmoved by the mangled souls before the god-machines, yet his authority is shadowed by something he will not name and by a son whose questions he cannot simply switch off. His refusal to see the human cost beneath his city's efficiency sets the moral engine of the story in motion. ## In the story ### [The New Tower of Babel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/i) Referred to as the Master of Metropolis, he controls the machine center and the workers' schedule. Freder seeks him out, but he remains an off-screen presence. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/ii) The Master of Metropolis, dismisses Freder's concerns, defends the system, and orders Slim to spy on his son. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/iii) Referenced as the Master of Metropolis and father of Freder; his son takes his place at the machine. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/iv) Visits Rotwang, confronts the android, and learns of Freder's disappearance. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/v) Observes Freder and Maria's reunion from the shadows, conspiring with Rotwang. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as Freder's father. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/vii) Referenced as the all-powerful father from whom Freder has freed himself. Josaphat compares him to the earth's gravitational pull, implying his control is absolute. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/viii) Joh Fredersen is referenced in a conversation about his power and his son Freder, and as the father who might take Maria away from Freder. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/x) Visits his son on the balcony, speaks to him and touches his hand, but receives no response before leaving. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xii) Visits his mother in desperation, seeking advice on how to win Freder back. He reveals his guilt over Hel's death and his fear of losing his son. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xiii) Arrives secretly in Rotwang's room and seizes the inventor by the throat. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xiv) Absent from the New Tower of Babel when Freder searches for him; his son takes his place at the control panel. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xv) Joh Fredersen attacks Rotwang, grabbing him by the throat and dragging him away, leaving Maria alone in the room. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xvi) Stands coldly on a platform between the crosses of Golgotha, revealing that the city's ruin is by his will, intended for Freder to rebuild. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xvii) Mentioned as the one who walled up the river's course when building the subterranean city. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxii) Waits in the dark New Tower of Babel, learns his son is missing, and later witnesses Freder's rescue of Maria; his hair turns white from grief. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxiii) Approaches Freder with a gentle voice, reveals his own past loss, comforts Freder, and leaves the cathedral transformed. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxiv) Mentioned as having been present in the cathedral earlier, and his hair has turned white from fear for his son. He is described as having sinned excessively. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxv) Visits his mother, confesses his transformation, and receives Hel's letter. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/joh_fredersen - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters