# Maria — Metropolis character guide > Maria in Metropolis by Thea von Harbou. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Maria, XV Maria, Beautiful Maria, XVII Maria, beautiful Maria **First appearance:** 0001-metropolis ## Snapshot The voice in the depths whose call pulls exhausted workers from sleep, a woman the underworld follows as though she were its Virgin-mother. ## Who they are Maria moves among the men of the lower city with a tenderness that makes her seem less a person than a promise, and when she speaks, even the dead-tired leave their rest to hear her. Freder first meets her as a voice in the dark, a beloved presence he can only half believe in, and her authority over the workers places her at the center of every struggle between the masters and the masses. What she preaches, and what others make of her image, will decide whether Metropolis breaks or is reconciled. ## Relationships ### [Freder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/freder) _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_ Maria is a target of Rotwang's sinister plans, as he seeks to use her for his revenge. ### [Josaphat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/josaphat) _friendship_ Josaphat respects and supports Maria, acting as a bridge between her and Freder. ### [Grot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/grot) _professional_ Grot initially sees Maria as a troublemaker but later respects her role as a mediator. ### [Freder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/freder) _romantic_ Freder and Maria share a deep romantic bond, with Maria inspiring Freder's rebellion and hope. ## In the story ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/v) Speaks in the catacombs, reunites with Freder, and is later spied upon by Rotwang and Joh Fredersen. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/viii) Maria is referenced as the beloved whom Freder seeks; her voice is heard calling from within Rotwang's house, but it is later revealed to be a deceptive imitation. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/x) Appears in Freder's dream as the Whore of Babylon, seated on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns, bearing the name 'Babylon' on her brow. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xi) Freder fears that Maria is the woman denounced by the monk, and he searches for her in the cathedral. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xiii) Silent and immobile captive, weeping softly as Rotwang reveals his machinations. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xiv) Appears as the speaker inciting the workers with a bloodred mouth, preaching rebellion and dancing on the multitude. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xv) The real Maria is trapped in Rotwang's house, terrified after witnessing Joh Fredersen attack Rotwang. She hears the city's alarm and escapes through the trapdoor into the City of the Dead. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xvii) Maria heroically leads children to safety as water floods the subterranean city, but finds the exit blocked. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xviii) Trapped with the children in the rising water, tells them a comforting story, and is rescued by Freder. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xix) Flees to the cathedral in despair, collapses, then is rescued by Freder. She kisses him and sends him to his father, later returns to the children. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xx) Captured by the mob and about to be burned at the stake; the woman on the pyre smiles and invites Freder to dance. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxi) Implied to be the woman hanging from the cathedral tower, as Freder calls out 'Maria' in response to her scream. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxii) Rescued by Freder from Rotwang on the cathedral roof. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxiii) Lies unconscious on the altar steps, appearing dead, but is only sleeping; responds with a smile to Joh Fredersen's touch. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxiv) Maria speaks of a spring within a rock, symbolizing suffering and redemption. She asks Freder to help reconcile his father and her brothers. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxv) Mentioned as having features that appear in Freder's face. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters/maria - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/characters