# The General — The Breaking of the Storm character guide > The General in The Breaking of the Storm by Friedrich Spielhagen. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the General, The General **First appearance:** 0001-i ## Snapshot The stern patriarch of the von Werben family, a decorated general whose rigid sense of honor conceals a household under siege. ## Who they are The General rules his family with the same discipline he once brought to the battlefield, but anonymous letters and his son's debts are eroding his authority from within. He arrives at Reinhold's door with a document meant to wound, measuring his adversary with the calm of a man who believes himself the stronger. His refusal to bend — whether toward his children or his enemies — sets the terms of the conflict that will engulf both families. ## Relationships ### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt) _professional_ The General is Reinhold's commanding officer, a figure of authority who respects Reinhold's abilities. ### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt) _professional_ The General is Reinhold's commanding officer, a figure of authority who respects Reinhold's abilities. ### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt) _professional_ The General is Reinhold's commanding officer, a figure of authority who respects Reinhold's abilities. ## In the story ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/book-i) The patriarch of the von Werben family, embodying the values of honor and duty. ### [The 'Indefatigable'](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/i) Elsa's father; reacts with alarm when the ship runs aground. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ii) Consults Reinhold about the ship's danger and decides to allow passengers to disembark. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iii) The General organizes the expedition inland and reveals his strained relationship with his sister, Baroness Warnow. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iv) Present at the farm, agrees to the plan to move to Golmberg. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/v) Expresses reluctance about being indebted to Count Golm and shows sympathy for the farmer's complaints. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/vi) Recalls meeting Count Golm at Versailles on the day of the proclamation of the German Empire; shows reserve toward the Count. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/vii) Rides in the first carriage; grows gloomy thinking about the journey and Elsa's behavior. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/viii) Elsa's father, who is annoyed by the social situation but decides to accept the Count's invitation for Reinhold. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ix) Engages in political discussion with Reinhold, is sympathetically touched by his speech, and frowns at the Count's rudeness. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xi) Bids Reinhold a brief farewell, saying 'Au revoir in Berlin, Lieutenant Schmidt!' ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as Ottomar's father; Reinhold had previously traveled with him and his daughter on a steamer. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/x) Mentioned in Reinhold's memory of the boat journey; Elsa reports that he thinks highly of Reinhold. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiv) Mentioned as the chief opponent of the eastern railway line and a co-trustee of the Warnow estates, whose consent is needed. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/vi) The General resists Councillor Schieler's pressure to accept the harbor project and property sale, citing his duty and moral obligation. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/vii) The General warmly shakes Reinhold's hand, introduces him to the staff officers, and asks for his opinion on the harbor question. ### [The Reckoning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/x) Acts as the stern patriarch, laying out the practical and moral consequences of Ottomar's engagement. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xii) Visits Uncle Ernst to confront him about the anonymous letter; explains his family's noble heritage and the inheritance conditions that forbid a non-noble marriage. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiii) The General forces his son Ottomar to confess and takes the hard step of informing Herr Philip Schmidt about the affair. ### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/book-iv) Represents authority and the weight of honor and duty. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as Valerie's brother, who responds to her message through Elsa's letter. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ix) The General appears pale and exhausted after the conference that decides to sell the Warnow estate to Count Golm. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xii) Has been passed over for promotion and has gone to offer his resignation to the Minister. ### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/book-v) Represents the old guard and the pressures of duty and honor. ### [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/book-vi) Embodies the rigid honor and duty of the old nobility, influencing Elsa's decisions. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/v) Tormented by his son's dishonor, he struggles with pride, duty, and the impossibility of redemption within his class. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiii) Not directly present, but referenced as the father of the young lady who was stabbed. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/the_general - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters