# The Imitation of Christ — Character guide

> Key figures in The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.

- [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/jesus_christ.md): In this devotional world, Christ is not a distant doctrine but a speaker — the one whose words the disciple receives as 'Eternal Truth,' sweet in the ear yet terrifying to a conscience that knows its own impurity. The ce
- [The Disciple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/narrator.md): The Disciple is the book's trembling 'I' — the voice that answers Christ, confesses its sins, and wrestles with whether it dare draw near. His distinctive tension is that the sweetness of Christ's words arouses him while
- [God the Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/god_the_father.md): God the Father speaks as the voice that probes the disciple's love, warning that one who falls away at a little opposition is not yet a strong or prudent lover. The distinctive tension he names is that consolation comes 
- [Thomas à Kempis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/thomas_kempis.md): Thomas à Kempis stands behind the text as its traditional author, invoked in a dedicatory letter as the Spirit-inspired writer of six hundred years past. His distinctive stance is anti-intellectual and anti-vain: better 
- [John Gersen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/john_gersen.md): Alternate proposed author of the work, mentioned in scholarly notes.
- [Moses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/moses.md): Old Testament prophet and lawgiver, cited as an example of humility.
- [John the Baptist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/john_the_baptist.md): Prophet who prepared the way for Christ, mentioned as a model of virtue.
- [Mary Magdalene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/mary_magdalene.md): Penitent follower of Christ, example of loving devotion.
- [David](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/david.md): Biblical king and psalmist, quoted frequently in prayers.
- [St. Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/st_paul.md): Apostle to the Gentiles, cited for teachings on the spiritual life.
- [Solomon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/solomon.md): Biblical king and author of wisdom literature, referenced for vanity of worldly things.
- [Dean Milman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/dean_milman.md): Historical figure referenced in the introduction or notes.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters