Character guide

Diogenes Teufelsdröckh

major

Also known as Professor Teufelsdröckh, Herr Teufelsdröckh, Teufelsdröckh, Diogenes, Herr Diogenes Teufelsdröckh, the Professor

An orphaned German professor of "Things in General" whose wild, courteous genius turns the philosophy of clothes into a mirror for the soul.

The Editor

major

Also known as the Editor

A cautious English compiler who stitches Teufelsdröckh's chaotic German papers into order while quietly fearing where such innovations might lead.

Herr Hofrath Heuschrecke

supporting

Also known as Hofrath Heuschrecke, Heuschrecke, the Hofrath, Herr Heuschrecke

Teufelsdröckh's loyal Hofrath and correspondent, whose offer of documents sets the whole editorial enterprise crystallising into being.

Andreas Futteral

supporting

Also known as Andreas, the deceased Andreas Futteral

The humble rural guardian who found an infant in his orchard and raised him into a philosopher, never guessing what name the child would make.

Gretchen Futteral

supporting

Also known as Gretchen, the good Gretchen, Good old Gretchen

The kind, pious woman who nursed a mysterious foundling into whiteness and manhood, and first told him the story of his unknown father.

Gneschen

minor

Also known as young Gneschen, the youthful Gneschen

Teufelsdröckh's childhood nickname, used for his early years.

Old Lieschen

minor

Also known as Lieschen, Lisekin, Liza

Teufelsdröckh's bed-maker and stove-lighter in his youth.

Herr Towgood

supporting

Also known as Towgood

Teufelsdröckh's easygoing English friend from university days, a foil of cheerful worldliness against the Professor's metaphysical storms.

Blumine

supporting

Also known as the Blumine

Blumine belongs to the bright, polished world of polite society that Teufelsdröckh, awkward and inward, can only approach from outside. She draws him toward tenderness and hope, yet the very refinement that enchants him also marks the distance between her sphere and his. Her presence in the early arc gives his philosophy a pulse: before the Clothes-Volume, there was a heart that learned to want something it could not keep.

Frau Gräfinn

minor

Also known as Frau Gräfinn

A countess who hosts Teufelsdröckh in society.

George Fox

minor

Also known as Fox

Founder of the Quakers, referenced as a spiritual exemplar.

Goethe

minor

Also known as him—Goethe

German poet and philosopher, a major intellectual influence on Teufelsdröckh.

Napoleon

minor

French emperor, used as a symbol of world-historical force.

Luther

minor

Protestant reformer, cited as a model of spiritual struggle.

Lord Byron

minor

Also known as Byron, Aaron

Romantic poet, referenced as a figure of passionate genius.

Jesus of Nazareth

minor

Central figure of Christianity, invoked in religious discussions.

Sir Walter Raleigh

minor

Also known as Sir Walter

Elizabethan explorer and writer, cited as a historical example.

Schiller

minor

Also known as the great Schiller

German poet and playwright, quoted and referenced by Teufelsdröckh.

Voltaire

minor

Also known as Herr von Voltaire

French philosopher, criticized for his skepticism.

Monsieur Ude

minor

Famous French chef, mentioned in a culinary metaphor.