# Frederick Richard Fant — Short Fiction character guide

> Frederick Richard Fant in Short Fiction by Hjalmar Söderberg.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Frederick, Richard Fant, Richard, Fant

**First appearance:** 0001-short-fiction

## Snapshot

A poor, ailing doctor who buys a fur coat to win back his wife's warmth, only to find her arms already waiting in the dark hall.

## Who they are

Fant measures his life in cigars and quiet humiliations, convinced his wife Ellen has grown cold since his friend John Richardt acquired a fur coat and a company. He splurges on a coat of his own, hoping to rekindle her affection, and is rewarded with an embrace in the unlit hall — until he answers her whispered question and reveals he is home. A physician who knows his own days are numbered, he spends his last Christmas watching the tree being lit and thanking Richardt for kindnesses he can no longer repay.

## Relationships

### [Dr. Henck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/dr_henck)

_professional_

Dr. Henck and Frederick Richard Fant have a frequent professional interaction, likely as doctor-patient or employer-employee.

### [Tom Gabel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/tom_gabel)

_rivalry_

Frederick Richard Fant and Tom Gabel are frequent antagonists, competing for status or influence.

### [Magda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/magda)

_romantic_

Frederick Richard Fant and Magda share a romantic relationship, possibly secret or strained.

### [Wetzmann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/wetzmann)

_professional_

Frederick Richard Fant and Wetzmann have a professional relationship, possibly as colleagues or business partners.

### [Miss Erika](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/miss_erika)

_professional_

Frederick Richard Fant and Miss Erika interact professionally, likely as employer and employee.

### [Dr. Henck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/dr_henck)

_professional_

Dr. Henck and Frederick Richard Fant have a frequent professional interaction, likely as doctor-patient or employer-employee.

### [Miss Erika](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/miss_erika)

_professional_

Frederick Richard Fant and Miss Erika interact professionally, likely as employer and employee.

### [Tom Gabel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/tom_gabel)

_rivalry_

Frederick Richard Fant and Tom Gabel are frequent antagonists, competing for status or influence.

## In the story

### [Short Fiction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/chapters/short-fiction)

Central figure in stories of love and tragedy.

### [The Chimney-Sweeper's Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/chapters/the-chimney-sweeper-s-wife)

The pale, slim student and stepson who falls ill, convalesces, and falls in love with Magda. After her death, he becomes weak-minded.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/chapters/i)

Sits apart in the smoking-room, blushes after mentioning Miss Gabel, watches the mirror, and leaves when he cannot bear to see his love interest dance with her cousin.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/chapters/iii)

Now called Richard Fant; notices the blue anchor fading and reluctantly wears his decoration.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/chapters/iv)

Sits in the smoking-room, smokes despite his heart condition, observes his wife in the mirror, and is tormented by desire and jealousy.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/chapters/v)

The deceased man in the coffin, identified by the blue anchor tattoo on his left hand.

### [The Kiss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/chapters/the-kiss)

The young man in the story, a student reading for his examinations, who kisses the girl.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/frederick_richard_fant
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters