# Stephen Knapp — The Homemaker character guide > Stephen Knapp in The Homemaker by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Stevie, Little Stephen, Cosmic Stephen **First appearance:** 0000-part-i-i ## Snapshot A wild, defiant child whom the neighborhood calls devil-possessed, Stephen becomes the unexpected proving ground for his father's new life at home. ## Who they are Stephen is the youngest Knapp, notorious for tantrums, cruelty, and a hard, cool stare that terrifies the neighborhood women. His mother is at her wit's end, but his father, Lester, discovers that steady attention and shared projects like a sandpile railway can reach the boy no one else could manage. Stephen's transformation from household terror to absorbed builder mirrors the family's larger reordering, making him the emotional barometer of the Knapp experiment. ## Relationships ### [Lester Knapp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters/lester_knapp) _family_ Lester is a devoted and protective father to Stephen, guiding him with patience and affection. ### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters/father) _family_ Father (likely Lester's father) has a close, nurturing bond with his grandson Stephen, often acting as a supportive elder. ### [Mattie Farnham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters/mattie_farnham) _friendship_ Mattie is a kind and attentive caregiver to Stephen, forming a gentle, affectionate bond with him. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters/mother) _family_ Mother (likely Evangeline) is often impatient and critical toward Stephen, creating a tense dynamic. ### [Teddy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters/teddy) _friendship_ Stephen and Teddy are close childhood friends, sharing playful adventures and mutual loyalty. ### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters/father) _family_ Father (likely Lester's father) has a close, nurturing bond with his grandson Stephen, often acting as a supportive elder. ### [Lester Knapp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters/lester_knapp) _family_ Lester is a devoted and protective father to Stephen, guiding him with patience and affection. ### [Mattie Farnham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters/mattie_farnham) _friendship_ Mattie is a kind and attentive caregiver to Stephen, forming a gentle, affectionate bond with him. ### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters/father) _family_ Father (likely Lester's father) has a close, nurturing bond with his grandson Stephen, often acting as a supportive elder. ### [Lester Knapp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters/lester_knapp) _family_ Lester is a devoted and protective father to Stephen, guiding him with patience and affection. ### [Teddy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters/teddy) _friendship_ Stephen and Teddy are close childhood friends, sharing playful adventures and mutual loyalty. ### [Mattie Farnham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters/mattie_farnham) _friendship_ Mattie is a kind and attentive caregiver to Stephen, forming a gentle, affectionate bond with him. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-i-i) Stephen is one of the children, whose actions (like losing his teddy bear) contribute to the household chaos. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-i-i) Hides under the stairs with his teddy bear, silent and defiant. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Stephen recovers his Teddy-bear from his mother's drawer, experiencing deep emotional relief and peace. He reflects on his fear of his mother's punishment and his determination to protect Teddy. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Exhibits violent outbursts and defiance at dinner, ignoring his mother's commands; eats heartily and provokes tension. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Discussed by the Guild as a naughty, contrary child; described as dumping mud on Mrs. Anderson's porch and saying he hates her. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Stephen is seen sleeping vigorously, then later appears wistful in the bathroom, but his morning turns combative, leading to conflict with Evangeline. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-i-v) Runs to meet his father with his siblings, proudly showing he can button his own coat. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-ii-x) Sleeps in a cot beside Lester's bed, scrambles into bed with him in the morning, outgrowing naughty spells, leaves mud on the sofa. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-iii-xi) Revels in freedom from supervision; deeply attached to Teddy; overcomes pride to plead with his father about Teddy not being washed. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-iii-xii) Mentioned as having fewer tantrums and enjoying Lester's stories. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-iii-xiii) Plays with a toy train on the floor; listens intently to his father's story; asks what a trumpet is and repeats the phrase 'all the twumpets sounded.' ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-iii-xiv) Shows Mattie his elaborate sandbox railway system and farm, demonstrating improved behavior and creativity. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-iii-xv) Stephen is briefly noted as playing with Henry and being part of the Saturday family activities. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-iii-xvi) Described as having immense vitality that, when blocked, leads to destructive behavior; compared to a miner trapped underground. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-iii-xvii) Shows signs of a tantrum, is redirected by his father, then undergoes a quiet emotional transformation, offering water and seeking comfort in his father's lap. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-iv-xix) Watching the chicks in the backyard chicken coop; described by Lester as 'sprouting wings' due to his improved behavior. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-iv-xxi) Shows protective devotion by insisting on lacing Lester's shoes; described as purposeful, energetic, and loving. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/chapters/part-iv-xxii) Feeding chickens, then runs to the house calling for his father after Helen tells him Father will stay. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters/stephen_knapp - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_homemaker_se/characters