# G. H. Bondy — The Absolute at Large character guide > G. H. Bondy in The Absolute at Large by Karel Čapek. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Bondy, Mr. Bondy, Mr. G. H. Bondy **First appearance:** 0001-ii-the-karburator ## Snapshot A pragmatic industrialist who bankrolls the Karburator, only to find the Absolute meddling in his factories, his soul, and his bottom line. ## Who they are Bondy is the Chairman of the M.E.C. and the money behind the atomic motor, a man who trusts organization, profit, and common sense. When the Absolute begins manufacturing goods for free and inspiring mystical Communism in his workers, his worldly confidence curdles into a desperate, clear-eyed struggle to understand an adversary he cannot buy or outmaneuver. His running debate with Marek over whether the Absolute follows a plan or merely improvises gives the novel its central argument about power, industry, and faith. ## Relationships ### [Rudy Marek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/rudy_marek) _friendship_ Bondy and Marek are close friends and business associates, with Marek often acting as Bondy's confidant and partner in the chaos caused by the Absolute. ### [Machat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/machat) _professional_ Machat is Bondy's secretary or assistant, handling business correspondence and organizational tasks for Bondy's industrial empire. ### [Bishop Linda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/bishop_linda) _rivalry_ Bishop Linda opposes Bondy's secular and industrial influence, representing the church's struggle against the chaos unleashed by the Absolute. ### [Ellen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/ellen) _romantic_ Ellen is Bondy's wife or romantic partner, often concerned about his safety and the moral implications of his dealings with the Absolute. ### [Dr. Hubka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/dr_hubka) _professional_ Dr. Hubka is a scientist or engineer who advises Bondy on the technical and philosophical aspects of the Absolute. ### [Old Rosenthal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/old_rosenthal) _professional_ Old Rosenthal is a business associate or financier involved in Bondy's industrial ventures, often skeptical of the Absolute's impact. ### [Cyril Keval](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/cyril_keval) _social_ Cyril Keval is an acquaintance of Bondy, occasionally interacting with him in the broader social and intellectual circles affected by the Absolute. ### [Rudy Marek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/rudy_marek) _friendship_ Bondy and Marek are close friends and business associates, with Marek often acting as Bondy's confidant and partner in the chaos caused by the Absolute. ### [Rudy Marek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/rudy_marek) _friendship_ Bondy and Marek are close friends and business associates, with Marek often acting as Bondy's confidant and partner in the chaos caused by the Absolute. ### [Bishop Linda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/bishop_linda) _rivalry_ Bishop Linda opposes Bondy's secular and industrial influence, representing the church's struggle against the chaos unleashed by the Absolute. ### [Machat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/machat) _professional_ Machat is Bondy's secretary or assistant, handling business correspondence and organizational tasks for Bondy's industrial empire. ### [Bishop Linda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/bishop_linda) _rivalry_ Bishop Linda opposes Bondy's secular and industrial influence, representing the church's struggle against the chaos unleashed by the Absolute. ## In the story ### [I: The Advertisement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/i-the-advertisement) Chairman of the Metallo-Electrical Company, reading the newspaper on New Year's Day 1943; reflects on the economic crisis and his old schoolfellow Marek. ### [II: The Karburator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/ii-the-karburator) Visits Marek, initially skeptical but becomes awestruck after experiencing the Karburator's effects. ### [III: Pantheism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/iii-pantheism) Recovers from a transcendent experience in the cellar; struggles to rationalize it as poisoning; agrees to consider Marek's invention despite its disturbing effects. ### [IV: God in the Cellar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/iv-god-in-the-cellar) Listens to Marek's revelation about the Karburator and the Absolute, proposes negotiating with God, and plans to commercialize the invention. ### [Bishop Linda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/v-bishop-linda) Chairman discussing the spread of religious ecstasy and negotiating with Bishop Linda over the Karburator's future. ### [VI: The Board-Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/vi-the-board-meeting) Chairman of the M.E.C., defends the Karburator and threatens resignation. ### [VII: Developments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/vii-developments) Horrified by the religious mania among his directors and the Sugar Bank collapse, but also elated by the global success of the Karburator; reluctantly agrees to attend the ceremonial lighting. ### [IX: The Ceremony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/ix-the-ceremony) Chairman of the M.E.C., present at the ceremony; he flees in terror after the Karburator is activated. ### [X: Saint Ellen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/x-saint-ellen) Wanders Prague, contemplates the economic ruin caused by the Karburator, and confronts Ellen about thought-reading. ### [XIII: The Chronicler’s Apology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xiii-the-chronicler-s-apology) The chronicler wishes he could reveal the workings of Bondy's brain. ### [XV: Disaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xv-disaster) Referenced indirectly as part of the industrial context, but not directly active in this chapter. ### [XVI: In the Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xvi-in-the-mountains) Visits Marek, looking haggard; admits he was overcome by religious love but fought it off, and now fears the Absolute has a plan. ### [XVII: The Hammer and Star](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xvii-the-hammer-and-star) Worshipful Master of the Hammer and Star Lodge, pale and thoughtful, he calls the meeting to address clerical attacks and guides the discussion. ### [XVIII: In the Night Editor’s Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xviii-in-the-night-editor-s-room) Mentioned as the subject of a local news item announcing his upcoming baptism. ### [XIX: The Process of Canonization](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xix-the-process-of-canonization) Given a lengthy audience by the Pope three days before the Papal Brief, and later in conference with the Papal Secretary for twenty-four hours. ### [XXI: The Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xxi-the-telegram) Sends the telegram confirming Marek's predictions. ### [XXII: The Old Patriot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xxii-the-old-patriot) Mentioned as being interested in an American combine buying Pacific Islands, to the extent of one hundred and twenty millions. ### [XXIV: The Napoleon of the Mountain Brigade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xxiv-the-napoleon-of-the-mountain-brigade) Not directly present; referenced indirectly as part of the broader narrative context. ### [A Coral Island in the Pacific](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xxvii-a-coral-island-in-the-pacific) Living on the coral island Hereheretua for nine years, Bondy discusses his views on God and truth with Captain Trouble, observing the natives' religious cannibalism. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/g_h_bondy - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters