# Carl Peters — The Plastic Age character guide > Carl Peters in The Plastic Age by Percy Marks. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Peters, Carl **First appearance:** 0002-i ## Snapshot Hugh's pipe-smoking roommate, whose flippant mask slips by the firelight to reveal a boy who understands grief better than anyone suspects. ## Who they are Carl writes nightly to his mother and can read Morse's homesickness with unnerving accuracy, insisting the redheaded boy is sick, not merely lonely. When he drops his slangy armor to tell Hugh something of himself, he becomes the novel's quiet counterweight to Hugh's easy optimism. His blunt predictions — 'I told you so' — frame Hugh's education in seeing people as they are. ## Relationships ### [Hugh Carver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/characters/hugh_carver) _friendship_ Carl is Hugh's close friend and roommate, a cynical and worldly influence who introduces Hugh to the hedonistic college lifestyle. ### [Harry Slade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/characters/harry_slade) _rivalry_ Carl and Harry are antagonists, with Carl often mocking Harry's pretensions and competing for influence over Hugh. ### [Hugh Carver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/characters/hugh_carver) _friendship_ Carl is Hugh's close friend and roommate, a cynical and worldly influence who introduces Hugh to the hedonistic college lifestyle. ### [Hugh Carver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/characters/hugh_carver) _friendship_ Carl is Hugh's close friend and roommate, a cynical and worldly influence who introduces Hugh to the hedonistic college lifestyle. ### [Harry Slade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/characters/harry_slade) _rivalry_ Carl and Harry are antagonists, with Carl often mocking Harry's pretensions and competing for influence over Hugh. ### [Harry Slade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/characters/harry_slade) _rivalry_ Carl and Harry are antagonists, with Carl often mocking Harry's pretensions and competing for influence over Hugh. ## In the story ### [The Plastic Age](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/the-plastic-age) A fellow student and friend who influences Hugh's early college decisions. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/i) Hugh's roommate, a sophisticated prep-school graduate from Kane School; initially profane and boastful, later reveals vulnerability about his father's death. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned in Hugh's thoughts about college. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/iii) Hugh's companion during registration; jokes about the process, offers Hugh a drink, and shares in the hazing experience. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/iv) Helps Hugh decode his schedule, attends the movie, and writes to his mother nightly despite calling her a nuisance. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/vi) Found in a pensive, homesick mood by the fire; reveals his family is nouveau riche and confesses his fears about sex and his devotion to his mother. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/vii) Carl reads Morse's letter and remarks 'I told you so,' showing his earlier skepticism about Morse's loyalty. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/ix) Roommate of Hugh; shares in the excitement and fervent hope for the team's victory. ### [The Big Game and the Serenade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/x) Mentioned as a confidant; Hugh does not tell him about the kiss. ### [The Long Winter of Study](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/xi) Participates in the seminar; knows 'Kubla Khan' and Masefield; teases Larry Stillwell about his grades. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/xii) Carl is anxious about his social standing and nouveau riche background during rushing. He joins Nu Delta alongside Hugh and expresses gratitude. ### [The Fight for Study and the Spring Sings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/xiii) Attends the fraternity dance and gives Hugh glowing accounts, but withholds details; leaves for summer after agreeing to room together again. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/xiv) Reunites with Hugh at Surrey 19; shares his summer experiences with Elaine Marston and provides a sympathetic ear to Hugh's romantic troubles. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/xvi) Leaves college after contracting a venereal disease from prostitutes; writes a farewell letter urging Hugh to stay straight. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/xviii) Hugh misses him; mentioned as a friend Hugh wishes to room with but hesitates due to fraternity tensions. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/xxvi) Unexpectedly meets Hugh and Cynthia at Grand Central; has been traveling the world; invites Hugh to visit. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/xxvii) Hugh pauses before Surrey Hall, remembering Carl. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/characters/carl_peters - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_plastic_age_se/characters