Ernest Everhard

Bishop Morehouse

Bishop Morehouse is a close ally and moral supporter of Ernest Everhard, often swayed by his revolutionary ideas.

Mr. Calvin

Mr. Calvin is a capitalist opponent who clashes with Everhard over economic and political ideology.

Colonel Van Gilbert

Colonel Van Gilbert is a staunch conservative lawyer who debates and opposes Everhard's socialist views.

Philip Wickson

Philip Wickson is a ruthless oligarch who represents the oppressive capitalist class Everhard fights against.

Dr. Hammerfield

Dr. Hammerfield is an academic who dismisses Everhard's ideas, representing intellectual opposition.

Rudolph Mendenhall

Rudolph Mendenhall is a wealthy industrialist who opposes Everhard's socialist movement.

Mr. Asmunsen

Mr. Asmunsen is a business magnate who argues against Everhard's revolutionary proposals.

Hartman

Hartman is a capitalist who engages in hostile debate with Everhard over class struggle.

Jackson

Jackson is a working-class man who interacts with Everhard as a fellow laborer or acquaintance.

Miss Brentwood

Miss Brentwood is Everhard's love interest and later wife, sharing his revolutionary ideals.

Biedenbach

Biedenbach opposes Everhard as part of the ruling class, engaging in ideological conflict.

Wilcox

Wilcox is a minor capitalist figure who argues against Everhard's socialist agenda.

The Iron Heel

Executed by the Iron Heel after the First Revolt; his sacrifice is a central theme of the chapter.

My Eagle

Introduced as a working-class philosopher and ex-horseshoer; his bold manner, ill-fitting clothes, and powerful speech challenge the clergymen at dinner.

III: Jackson's Arm

Discusses the industrial machine and class bias; warns Avis about the power of the wealthy.

Slaves of the Machine

Ernest is portrayed as the apostle of truth; he explains the master ethic and the lack of free will in the industrial machine.

The Philomaths

Delivers a powerful speech indicting the capitalist class, challenges Colonel Van Gilbert and others, and describes the international socialist revolution.

VI: Adumbrations

Warns of societal upheaval; advises Professor Cunningham to accept the vacation; declines government bribe.

VII: The Bishop’s Vision

Writes to Avis about the Bishop's impending speech, predicts its futility, and later harshly laughs at the audience's reaction, explaining the press will suppress the story and the Bishop will be declared insane.

The Machine Breakers

Ernest dominates the dinner conversation, challenging the small businessmen and labeling them 'machine-breakers' for their hypocrisy.

IX: The Mathematics of a Dream

Delivers a detailed mathematical demonstration of capitalism's collapse and the class struggle, challenging the middle-class men.

X: The Vortex

Warns of the Iron Heel, predicts the suppression of socialist press, and argues for revolution over electoral victory.

XI: The Great Adventure

Avis's husband, a tireless socialist propagandist and revolutionary. He works relentlessly, sleeps little, and finds rest and support in Avis. He is portrayed as a selfless humanist who denies himself immortality.

The Bishop

Referenced for his views on charity and revolution; delivers the bitter closing remark about the Bishop's fate.

XIII: The General Strike

Elected to Congress in the socialist landslide; leads the secret meeting of Western leaders in Pell Street; comments on the Oligarchy's treachery and justification.

XIV: The Beginning of the End

Foresees the Iron Heel and the defection of labor unions; predicts caste formation and eventual revolt.

Last Days

Skeptical of political optimism, emphasizes the need for rifles and lead over political solutions.

XVI: The End

Calculates the average life of Fighting Group members; goes to Washington as a socialist Congressman; works to prevent violence among Grangers.

XVII: The Scarlet Livery

Delivers a fiery speech in Congress, is injured by a bomb explosion, and is arrested along with other socialists.

In the Shadow of Sonoma

Imprisoned three thousand miles away on Alcatraz; maintains secret correspondence with Avis.

XIX: Transformation

Writes to Avis commanding her to remake herself; leads from prison, directing the revolution's work.

A Lost Oligarch

Returns from prison after the jail delivery; is deceived by Avis's new appearance; spends eighteen happy months with her in the refuge.

XXI: The Roaring Abysmal Beast

Impatient for action, planning for the First Revolt and the education of the proletariat.

XXII: The Chicago Commune

Mentioned as the planner of the First Revolt; last heard in Boston or New Haven.

XXIV: Nightmare

Reunites with Avis in Chicago, cares for her, and escorts her out of the city.

XXV: The Terrorists

Returns to New York with Avis and works to reorganize the forces of the Revolution.

Endnotes

Referenced in endnotes for his critiques of capitalism, the church, and the education system, and for his analysis of class divisions.