# Jeremiah — The Castle character guide

> Jeremiah in The Castle by Franz Kafka.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0005-iv

## Snapshot

One of K.'s indistinguishable 'old assistants,' who trails him into the village with no apparatus, no surveying skill, and a talent for sly self-justification.

## Who they are

Jeremiah arrives at the inn beside his double, Arthur, and the two are so alike that K. declares he will treat them as one man called Arthur — a decree they quietly resist. Their blank denials (no apparatus, no surveying knowledge) and their habit of smiling at K.'s exasperation mark them as less helpers than watchful appendages. Their presence thickens the novel's atmosphere of bureaucratic doubles, making even K.'s own staff feel like something assigned to him by forces he cannot see.

## Relationships

### [K.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/k)

_rivalry_

Jeremiah, a servant of the Castle, is openly antagonistic toward K., competing for Frieda's affection and mocking K.'s efforts.

### [Barnabas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/barnabas)

_rivalry_

Jeremiah mocks and belittles Barnabas, viewing him as a pathetic messenger and a rival in the Castle's service.

### [K.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/k)

_rivalry_

Jeremiah, a servant of the Castle, is openly antagonistic toward K., competing for Frieda's affection and mocking K.'s efforts.

### [Barnabas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/barnabas)

_rivalry_

Jeremiah mocks and belittles Barnabas, viewing him as a pathetic messenger and a rival in the Castle's service.

### [K.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/k)

_rivalry_

Jeremiah, a servant of the Castle, is openly antagonistic toward K., competing for Frieda's affection and mocking K.'s efforts.

### [Barnabas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/barnabas)

_rivalry_

Jeremiah mocks and belittles Barnabas, viewing him as a pathetic messenger and a rival in the Castle's service.

## In the story

### [The Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/the-castle)

One of K.'s assistants, who later becomes involved with Frieda after she leaves K.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/iii)

One of K.'s assistants, who along with Arthur finds K. at the bar and follows him back to the inn.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as one of K.'s assistants; follows K. down the staircase at the end of the chapter.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/vi)

One of K.'s assistants; appears outside the window with Arthur, disturbing the conversation.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/x)

One of the assistants who accompanies Barnabas and annoys K. on the walk home.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/xi)

One of the assistants; he and Arthur are disruptive, and Jeremiah later sneaks into K.'s bed, provoking K.'s anger.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/xii)

Jeremiah is one of the assistants who points at K. as the one who broke the shed door, but later remains silent after Frieda's confession.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/xvi)

Jeremiah reveals that Frieda has left K. for him, mocks K.'s situation, and refuses to be intimidated by K.'s threats.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/xvii)

He slips past Momus into Erlanger's room, claiming to be a waiter, and is greeted with a slap on the shoulder.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/xviii)

Appears ill and feverish, having taken Frieda from the school; now staying in her room at the inn.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/jeremiah
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters