The World Set Free · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The World Set Free by H. G. Wells.
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Frederick Barnet
major
Also known as Barnet, VI Barnet, V Frederick Barnet, Mylius
A witness-narrator whose book chronicles a world 'coming about like a ship that sails into the wind,' he registers how ordinary lives buckle under accelerating change.
Marcus Karenin
major
Also known as Karenin, old Karenin, Marcus, II Karenin, X Karenin
An aging visionary who, from a Himalayan surgical station, weighs the world's new freedom against its coming 'beautiful ecstasy of waste.'
Firmin
supporting
Also known as Firmin—they
A cautious adviser trailing a king up a hill with the beer, clinging to imperial autonomy while his sovereign prepares to fling royalty on the table.
Young Holsten
major
Also known as Holsten, Young Holsten, III Holsten, no Holsten
A brilliant physicist whose discovery of atomic energy cracks open human history, leaving a world 'made nascent' and ready for new associations.
Marshal Dubois
supporting
Also known as Dubois, old Dubois
A French military commander caught in the debacle of the Last Wars, when power after power strikes first in a delirium of atomic panic.
The Woman at the Window
minor
Also known as herself, her.
A mysterious female figure observed by Barnet, symbolizing lost love.
Fowler
supporting
An American journalist whose commentary frames how the atomic catastrophe shook men out of old habits of thought and lightly held beliefs.
Doctor Pestovitch
supporting
Also known as Pestovitch, presently Pestovitch
Pestovitch serves as the Balkan king's trusted counselor, the man who reads the cipher dispatches and whispers the hard truths a monarch cannot afford to hear. Where Ferdinand Charles thrashes between denial and theatrics, Pestovitch watches faces, measures silences, and steps in when his master protests too much. His wary, clinical eye makes him the story's early barometer of how badly the old world is misreading the new weapon in its midst.
King Egbert
minor
Also known as Gilbert, Egbert
A European monarch involved in pre-war diplomacy.
Leblanc
minor
Also known as a Leblanc, the indefatigable Leblanc, the admirable Leblanc, Madame Leblanc
A French scientist and colleague of Holsten.
Rachel Borken
minor
Also known as Rachel
A woman connected to Barnet, appearing in his memories.
Gardener
minor
Also known as young Gardener
A young man associated with the early atomic experiments.
Kahn
minor
Also known as Kahn.
An industrialist and financier in the pre-war era.
Bismarck
minor
Also known as Old Bismarck
The historical German chancellor, referenced as a political force.
King Ferdinand Charles
minor
Also known as Ferdinand Charles, King Ferdinand, Charles
A European king during the war period.
Peter
minor
A minor character, possibly a servant or associate.
Edith Haydon
minor
Also known as Edith
A woman in Barnet's social circle.
Lawson
minor
An acquaintance of Barnet's.
General Viard
minor
Also known as Viard
A French general in the last war.
Sir Philip Dass
minor
Also known as Dass, the discredited Dass
A disgraced British official.
Edwards
minor
A minor character in the narrative.
The Judge
minor
Also known as the judge
A presiding judge in a post-war trial.
The American
minor
An unnamed American character in the narrative.
Kurt
minor
A German character during the war.
Napoleon
minor
Historical figure referenced as a comparison.
Old Broomie
minor
A minor character, possibly a servant.
Abel
minor
A biblical figure referenced in the text.
Ciana
minor
A minor female character.
Helen of Holloway
minor
Also known as Helen
A character mentioned in passing.
Hyslop
minor
A minor character in the story.
Tchen
minor
An Asian character mentioned briefly.