# Jan Binder — The Absolute at Large character guide

> Jan Binder in The Absolute at Large by Karel Čapek.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Binder, Mr. Binder

**First appearance:** 0001-ii-the-karburator

## Snapshot

An ex-variety artiste in a striped jersey who tours the countryside with an atomic merry-go-round, turning the Absolute into a traveling fairground attraction.

## Who they are

Binder is a small-time showman whose Karburator-powered merry-go-round becomes one of the many humble vessels through which the Absolute reaches ordinary people. The narrator lingers on him with obvious affection, refusing to reduce him to a footnote in a historical synthesis. His wandering, striped-jersey existence embodies the novel's insistence that the great cosmic upheaval is lived out in the small, particular lives of unremarkable men.

## Relationships

### [Kuzenda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/kuzenda)

_professional_

Jan Binder and Kuzenda are fellow engineers or technicians, collaborating on projects related to the Absolute's effects.

### [Brych](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/brych)

_professional_

Brych and Jan Binder work together in a military or technical capacity, dealing with the practical fallout of the Absolute's miracles.

### [Father Jost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/father_jost)

_professional_

Father Jost and Jan Binder collaborate in efforts to understand and control the Absolute's effects, blending faith and science.

### [Brych](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/brych)

_professional_

Brych and Jan Binder work together in a military or technical capacity, dealing with the practical fallout of the Absolute's miracles.

### [Brych](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/brych)

_professional_

Brych and Jan Binder work together in a military or technical capacity, dealing with the practical fallout of the Absolute's miracles.

### [Kuzenda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/kuzenda)

_professional_

Jan Binder and Kuzenda are fellow engineers or technicians, collaborating on projects related to the Absolute's effects.

### [Kuzenda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/kuzenda)

_professional_

Jan Binder and Kuzenda are fellow engineers or technicians, collaborating on projects related to the Absolute's effects.

### [Father Jost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/father_jost)

_professional_

Father Jost and Jan Binder collaborate in efforts to understand and control the Absolute's effects, blending faith and science.

### [Father Jost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/father_jost)

_professional_

Father Jost and Jan Binder collaborate in efforts to understand and control the Absolute's effects, blending faith and science.

## In the story

### [XI: The First Blow Struck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xi-the-first-blow-struck)

Installs the stolen Karburator in his merry-go-round, becomes a preacher, and leads his followers into a physical confrontation with Kuzenda's group.

### [XIII: The Chronicler’s Apology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xiii-the-chronicler-s-apology)

Mentioned as an ex-variety artiste wandering with his atomic merry-go-round; the chronicler regrets leaving him behind.

### [XXX: The End of Everything](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xxx-the-end-of-everything)

Former merry-go-round owner, now fat and without his striped jersey, ordering sausages and recalling Kuzenda's wisdom.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters/jan_binder
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/characters