Roughing It · Character

Ollendorff

A German miner whose good intentions keep capsizing canoes and losing trails, and who forgives his comrades beautifully when they all expect to freeze to death.

supporting

Also known as Poor Ollendorff

First appearance: roughing it

See Ollendorff in roughing it Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Ollendorff carries the camp's bad luck and its softest heart: he turned over the canoe, led the party in circles through the snow, and has nursed a wound ever since Mr. Ballou called him a logarithm. Facing what looks like death by freezing, he tearfully forgives everyone, throws away his whisky, and vows to devote his spared life to nursing the sick and pleading against intemperance. His sincerity is total and his reform lasts about as long as the weather, making him the expedition's most human and most forgiven failure.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Ollendorff sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Ollendorff in roughing it

Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how Ollendorff sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Cabin Companions and Storytellers
Protagonist
Quarrelsome and Rough Companions
Nevada Territory Acquaintances

+3 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the ultimate psychological peak of fear and vulnerabil…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

Ollendorff appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III
Mentioned as part of the party; the narrator refers to 'we three' climbing onto the seat behind the driver.
XXIX
Implied as one of the younger partners (Clagget and Oliphant) who also resigned from the mining work.
The Flood at Honey Lake Smith's
A Prussian traveling with the narrator and Ballou; present at the inn during the flood.
XXXI
The Prussian who panics during the canoe crossing, causing it to capsize, and later claims his instinct can guide them but leads them in circles.
XXXII
Attempts to light a fire with his revolver, forgives others, renounces whisky, and breaks down in tears.
XXXIII
Emerges from a snowdrift, later caught drinking from a bottle.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Ollendorff unlock in the free preview.

See Ollendorff in roughing it