# Claude Wheeler — One of Ours character guide > Claude Wheeler in One of Ours by Willa Cather. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Claude, Mr. Claude, Wheeler, Lieutenant Wheeler **First appearance:** 0004-i ## Snapshot A freckled Nebraska farm boy who chafes against his father's jokes and the mule wagon, hungry for a life that means something more. ## Who they are Claude is the second son of a prosperous, teasing father and a gentle, devout mother, and he feels every small humiliation of provincial life — the stinking hides, the coarse hired men, the college winters he can't afford to finish. He wants cleanliness, purpose, and a self he can respect, but the people around him keep handing him the mules. His restless dissatisfaction is the engine of the whole book: it drives him toward Enid, toward the army, and toward the question of whether any place can finally fit him. ## Relationships ### [Enid Royce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/enid_royce) _romantic_ Claude is infatuated with Enid and marries her, but their relationship is strained by her religious fanaticism and emotional coldness. ### [Mrs. Wheeler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/mrs_wheeler) _family_ Claude shares a deep, affectionate bond with his gentle, religious mother who understands his restless spirit. ### [Nat Wheeler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/nat_wheeler) _family_ Claude resents his pragmatic, domineering father who dismisses his son's intellectual and emotional needs. ### [Mahailey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/mahailey) _family_ Claude has a tender, protective relationship with the family's elderly, simple-minded servant who adores him. ### [Ed Drier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/ed_drier) _friendship_ Claude and Ed are childhood friends and neighbors, sharing a comfortable but unremarkable rural camaraderie. ### [David Gerhardt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/david_gerhardt) _friendship_ Claude forms a profound, admiring friendship with the cultured, wounded violinist during their war service. ### [Gladys Farmer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/gladys_farmer) _romantic_ Claude feels a wistful, unfulfilled romantic attraction to the intelligent and artistic Gladys, who represents a life he cannot have. ### [Leonard Dawson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/leonard_dawson) _friendship_ Claude respects Leonard as a capable, practical farmer and neighbor, though they are not close confidants. ### [Bayliss Wheeler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/bayliss_wheeler) _rivalry_ Bayliss, Claude's older brother, is a narrow-minded, materialistic businessman who constantly criticizes and belittles Claude. ### [Ernest Havel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/ernest_havel) _friendship_ Claude enjoys intellectual conversations with Ernest, a thoughtful Bohemian immigrant who shares his discontent with provincial life. ### [Ralph Wheeler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/ralph_wheeler) _family_ Claude feels a protective, affectionate bond with his younger brother Ralph, who is more carefree and conventional. ### [Victor Morse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/victor_morse) _social_ Claude meets Victor, a brash, cynical young soldier, during training and finds him both irritating and intriguing. ## In the story ### [One of Ours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/one-of-ours) The protagonist, feeling restless and dissatisfied with his life on the farm, searching for meaning. ### [Book I: On Lovely Creek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/book-i-on-lovely-creek) Introduced as a restless young man, feeling disconnected from his rural life and family. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/i) Wakes early, washes the car, and shows concern for the injured mare Molly. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ii) Enjoys a picnic with Ernest, feels constrained by family expectations and his own cowardice about social conventions. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/iii) Shaves and broods over his appearance and name; helps with chores and builds a shelf for Mahailey. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/iv) Asks his mother to transfer from Temple College to the State University; recalls childhood trauma of his father cutting down a cherry tree; imposes physical tests on himself. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/v) Claude is sent to Temple College against his wishes, dislikes Brother Weldon, and feels resigned to a fate shaped by what he dislikes. He boards with the Chapins, finds the household distasteful, and struggles with his appearance and lack of admiration for anyone. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/vi) Excels in his history studies, plays halfback in a football game, and is invited to the Erlich home where he feels a new sense of belonging. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/vii) Returns home, feels conflicted emotions, learns of Jerry's firing, and reflects on his religious doubts. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/viii) Expresses dissatisfaction with life, yearning for something splendid; argues with Ernest about the future and the meaning of existence. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ix) Claude returns to his university studies, becomes infatuated with Peachy Millmore, but later avoids her after learning of her reputation. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/x) Attends the dinner party as Mrs. Erlich's guest, wears new dinner clothes, and converses with Madame Schroeder-Schatz about farming. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xi) Completes his thesis on Joan of Arc, reflects on her story, and delivers the manuscript to his professor. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xii) Claude is stunned by his father's announcement that he must take over the farm instead of returning to school; he feels trapped and protests weakly that he is not competent. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xiii) Claude remains impassive as Ralph outfits for Colorado, giving away his dress suit and working hard ploughing for winter wheat. He consoles Mahailey after she hides the pickled peaches. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xiv) Works the cornfield, reflects on property and his own discontent, plants wheat, and finds solace in labor and Mahailey's appreciation. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xv) Returns home from Lincoln, feeling discontented and torn between the stimulating life of the Erlichs and the grim reality of the farm. Engages in a philosophical discussion with his mother. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xvi) Claude is home for the holidays, tries to keep his temper with Bayliss, and reluctantly agrees to drive the party to a musical show. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xvii) Works in the corral to protect cattle, changes into dry clothes, enjoys supper, and later observes the storm from the window. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xviii) Leads the effort to rescue the hogs after the blizzard, feels humiliated by the loss, and reflects on the emptiness of farm life and money-values. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xix) Takes Enid Royce for a sleigh ride; becomes increasingly frustrated with Gladys Farmer's relationship with Bayliss; feels betrayed and angry after the outing. ### [Book II: Enid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/book-ii-enid) Claude navigates his courtship and marriage to Enid, feeling increasingly isolated and frustrated by her emotional detachment. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/i) Sitting on the State House steps in Denver, feeling lonely and restless after a month away from home. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ii) Claude walks home from Frankfort, stops at the mill to see Enid, and reflects on his discontent and childhood memories. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/iii) Drives Enid to Hastings, visits Brother Weldon, and navigates a storm on the return trip. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/iv) Recovering from erysipelas, feeling weak and sensitive about his bandaged face, reflecting on his life and his feelings for Enid. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/v) Claude visits Mr. Royce to ask for Enid's hand in marriage, showing his earnestness and desire to please. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/vi) Proposes to Enid and is rejected; feels melancholy and broken. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/vii) Recovers and works in the harvest, visits Enid briefly each evening, struggles with exhaustion and dreams. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/viii) Drives his empty wagon home after two trips to town, meets Ernest Havel, and discusses the war news. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ix) Reads war news eagerly, feels a personal pull toward the Battle of the Marne, and reflects on his mother's changing attitudes toward Paris. ### [Building the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/x) Claude is building a new house for himself and Enid, pouring his hopes and loneliness into its construction. He feels Enid is more interested in the house than in him and broods about their future. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xi) Works on the new house, plants gardens, and enjoys Enid's company on the porch. Secretly keeps a piece of her lace. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xii) Nervous and irritable on his wedding day; struggles with tight shoes and packing; feels unmanned by Enid's attention on the train. ### [Book III: Sunrise on the Prairie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/book-iii-sunrise-on-the-prairie) Returns to the prairie after marriage, feeling trapped and disillusioned with his life and marriage to Enid. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/i) Returns to farm work after his wedding; eats a cold supper alone while Enid is at a Prohibition meeting; defends Enid's chicken-raising methods to Leonard. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ii) Claude performs evening chores, bathes under the moon, and experiences a deep, emotional revelation about imprisoned spirits, which he later forgets or dismisses. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/iii) Feels trapped in his marriage, retreats to the timber claim to smoke, read, and dream; refuses to participate in Enid's Prohibition work. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/iv) Drilling wheat in the west field; walks with his mother and discusses the war; shows indifference to old pleasures and friends. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/v) Feels trapped in his marriage and life; struggles with Enid's decision to leave for China; moves back to his mother's farm and closes up his own house. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/vi) Returns to live at the farm after Enid's departure; sits alone reading or pretending to read; discusses war news with his mother and Ernest Havel; walks under the winter stars feeling the weight of national fate. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/vii) Drives the wagon to town, feels the flag's new significance, and shares his conviction about the war with Gladys. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/viii) Decides to enlist in the army, informs Mahailey and his family, and plans to leave for Omaha. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ix) Away at Fort R⸺; his parents discuss him and Mrs. Wheeler writes to him. ### [Homecoming in Uniform](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/x) Returns home in uniform, defends Mrs. Voigt, reflects on his fellow soldiers. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xi) Returns home, reflects on his marriage and the mules, visits the farm, and spends time with his mother. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xii) Visits Gladys Farmer, confesses his concern about her marrying Bayliss, and shares an emotional farewell. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xiii) Spends his last day at home, takes a walk with Ernest and Ralph, shaves, says goodbye to his mother, and leaves for war. ### [Book IV: The Voyage of the Anchises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/book-iv-the-voyage-of-the-anchises) Protagonist; undergoes a psychological transition during the voyage, reflecting on his past and forming new bonds. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/i) Lieutenant Claude Wheeler sits still at his window, deeply contemplative as he watches the shipbuilding scene, feeling it reveals the true meaning of adventure and valour. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ii) Claude boards the Anchises, observes New York City and the Statue of Liberty, and feels the emotional weight of departure. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/iii) Explores the ship, reflects on his past and the meaning of the war, and feels a sense of purpose among the soldiers. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/iv) Claude is on the Anchises, dealing with sick men and conversing with Victor Morse about war and London. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/v) Claude lies in the crowded stern, too cold and faint to move, witnessing the burial and the brutal sea. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/vi) Claude assists Doctor Trueman with sick call, cares for Fanning, comforts Bert Fuller, and attends the burial of Corporal Tannhauser. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/vii) Reflects on his double life, feels freedom from the past, and cares for sick soldiers. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/viii) Reflects on his past and current feelings of purpose and freedom aboard the ship, despite the epidemic and deaths. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ix) Impatient and morally outraged by the Chief Steward's corruption; he assists in securing supplies for Fanning and reflects on the war's purpose upon seeing the French coast. ### [Book V: “Bidding the Eagles of the West Fly On”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/book-v-bidding-the-eagles-of-the-west-fly-on) Enlists in the army and departs for France, experiencing the early stages of military life and the journey overseas. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/i) Claude is a lieutenant in the American army, struggling with French language and feeling out of place. He successfully helps his men buy cheese but is later humiliated by a child's question. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ii) Dines with Victor Morse, declines Victor's invitation to go with girls, and later wanders the streets, observing a wounded soldier and a girl. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/iii) Claude visits the hospital, observes the wounded, and talks to the wry-necked boy. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/iv) Claude explores Rouen and has a transformative experience in the Church of St. Ouen, contemplating Gothic architecture and the beauty of the stained glass. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/v) Claude arrives at the training camp, meets Lieutenant Gerhardt, and feels jealous and insecure about his own standing. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/vi) Awakens feeling well, enjoys the morning, works on barracks, and bonds with Gerhardt during a walk in the woods. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/vii) Leads his men, helps the refugee family, and carries the baby with loathing. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/viii) Experiences his first morning in the trenches, reflects on his journey, and bathes in a shell-hole. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ix) Sent back to Division Headquarters with a message; reflects on Victor Morse's death and the youth of British soldiers. ### [Chapter: X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/x) Visits Mlle. de Courcy, feels deeply understood, reflects on life and war, then departs for the front with Sergeant Hicks. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xi) Leads the raid with Gerhardt, is buried by a shell, crawls to the dying doctor, and is carried out on a stretcher. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xii) Arrives with David at the Joubert home, exhausted and wet; enjoys the warmth and hospitality, reflects on the beauty of France. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xiii) Lying in the forest with Gerhardt, reflecting on his desire to stay in France and his feelings about the war. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xiv) Feels awkward and out of place in the Fleury household, envies David's skill, and reflects on the war's purpose. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xv) Leads a patrol to find shelter for the battalion, marches through mud and rain, and reflects on the hardships of war. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xvi) Leads the charge into the sniper's house, bayonets the German officer, and is unnerved by the officer's English. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xvii) Now in charge of Company B after Captain Maxey's evacuation; reflects on the tragedy of Marie Louise and the curé's grief; decides not to interfere with the soldiers' romances. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xix) Deceased; his memory and letters are central to Mrs. Wheeler's reflections. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/claude_wheeler - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters