# S. Behrman — The Octopus character guide

> S. Behrman in The Octopus by Frank Norris.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Behrman, Mr. S. Behrman, old jelly-belly Behrman

**First appearance:** 0005-book-i

## Snapshot

The railroad's fat, unctuous agent in Bonneville, he holds mortgages and favors like reins, squeezing ranchers with a smile and a handshake.

## Who they are

S. Behrman is the Pacific and Southwestern Railroad's local representative, the man who negotiates rates, holds paper on struggling farmers, and appears arm-in-arm with the very men he ruins. He is outwardly genial, even slappable on the back, yet his power is absolute and his methods are patient and devouring. As the human face of the railroad's grip on the San Joaquin, he embodies the novel's central conflict between growers and the corporate octopus.

## In the story

### [The Octopus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_octopus_se/chapters/the-octopus)

The local representative of the railroad, embodying the cold, calculating force of corporate oppression.

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_octopus_se/chapters/book-i)

The local representative of the railroad, a shrewd and imposing figure who embodies corporate power.

### [Chapter V: The Chase](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_octopus_se/chapters/v)

Joins the posse, laboriously following the chase, determined to capture Dyke.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_octopus_se/chapters/vii)

Mentioned as alive and successful, having taken possession of Quien Sabe after the battle.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_octopus_se/chapters/ix)

Visits his new elevator at Port Costa to oversee the bulk handling of Los Muertos' wheat, savoring his triumph.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_octopus_se/characters/behrman
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_octopus_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_octopus_se/characters