# Back to Methuselah — Character guide

> Key figures in Back to Methuselah by George Bernard Shaw.

- [Eve](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/eve.md): The first woman, central to the opening play and the philosophical arc of the book.
- [Adam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/adam.md): The first man, whose choices and conversations with Eve and the Serpent set the stage.
- [Lilith](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/lilith.md): The legendary predecessor of Adam and Eve, referenced as a powerful creative force.
- [The Serpent](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_serpent.md): The wise and enigmatic serpent who tempts Eve with the knowledge of creative evolution.
- [Cain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/cain.md): Adam and Eve's son, a restless and violent figure who appears across the ages.
- [Abel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/abel.md): Adam and Eve's son, murdered by his brother Cain.
- [Franklyn Barnabas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/franklyn_barnabas.md): One of the Brothers Barnabas, a central proponent of creative evolution and longevity.
- [Conrad Barnabas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/conrad_barnabas.md): The other Brother Barnabas, a biologist who believes in the power of the Life Force.
- [Mr. Barnabas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/mr_barnabas.md): The father of Franklyn and Conrad, a retired clergyman who supports his sons' ideas.
- [Savvy Barnabas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/savvy_barnabas.md): The intelligent and spirited daughter of Mr. Barnabas, who becomes involved in the brothers' mission.
- [Haslam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/haslam.md): A young clergyman who becomes a disciple of the Barnabas brothers.
- [Burge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/burge.md): A politician and former classmate of the Barnabas brothers, representing the old order.
- [Lubin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/lubin.md): A politician and colleague of Burge, often skeptical of the Barnabas brothers' ideas.
- [Joyce Burge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/joyce_burge.md): A prominent politician who interacts with the Barnabas circle.
- [Confucius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/confucius.md): The ancient Chinese philosopher, appearing as a character in the later plays.
- [The Archbishop](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_archbishop.md): A high-ranking church official in the future society, grappling with the new ideas.
- [The Accountant General](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_accountant_general.md): A bureaucratic official in the future government, concerned with practical matters.
- [The Elderly Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_elderly_gentleman.md): A visitor from the past who struggles to adapt to the future world in Part IV.
- [The Veiled Woman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_veiled_woman.md): A mysterious and powerful woman in the future, who guides the Elderly Gentleman.
- [Zozim](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/zozim.md): A character in the future who interacts with the Elderly Gentleman.
- [Napoleon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/napoleon.md): The historical emperor, appearing as a character in the future world.
- [Martellus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/martellus.md): A sculptor in the distant future, creating figures that represent the new humanity.
- [Pygmalion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/pygmalion.md): A sculptor in the distant future, Martellus's companion and fellow artist.
- [Arjillax](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/arjillax.md): A political leader in the distant future, concerned with the governance of the new world.
- [Ecrasia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/ecrasia.md): A beautiful but intellectually limited woman in the distant future.
- [Strephon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/strephon.md): A young man in the distant future, part of the new generation.
- [The Newly Born](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_newly_born.md): A child born in the distant future, representing the next stage of evolution.
- [The Oracle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_oracle.md): A wise and ancient figure in the distant future, offering guidance.
- [The Female Figure](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_female_figure.md): A statue in the distant future, representing an ancient ruler.
- [The Male Figure](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_male_figure.md): A statue in the distant future, representing an ancient ruler.
- [Mrs. Lutestring](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/mr_lutestring.md): A character in the future, connected to the Barnabas legacy.
- [The British Envoy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_british_envoy.md): A diplomatic official in the future world.
- [The Negress](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_negress.md): A character in the future, part of the political scene.
- [Mr. President](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/mr_president.md): The president in the future world, dealing with political matters.
- [Daddy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/daddy.md): A term of address for an older character in the future.
- [The Maiden](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_maiden.md): A young woman in the future, part of the new generation.
- [The Pythoness](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_pythoness.md): A prophetic figure in the distant future.
- [The Englishman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/the_englishman.md): A historical figure referenced in the narrative.
- [Charles Darwin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/charles_darwin.md): The naturalist whose theory of evolution is a central topic of the book's preface.
- [Lamarck](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/lamarck.md): The early evolutionist whose ideas are contrasted with Darwin's.
- [Weismann](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/weismann.md): A biologist whose theories on heredity are discussed.
- [Samuel Butler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/samuel_butler.md): A writer and thinker whose ideas on evolution are referenced.
- [Karl Marx](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/karl_marx.md): The socialist philosopher, discussed in relation to Darwinism.
- [Goethe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/goethe.md): The German poet and scientist, an early evolutionist.
- [Ibsen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/ibsen.md): The playwright, mentioned in the context of creative evolution.
- [Shakespeare](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/shakespeare.md): The playwright, referenced as an artist-prophet.
- [Michelangelo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/michelangelo.md): The Renaissance artist, mentioned in the context of art and evolution.
- [Beethoven](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/beethoven.md): The composer, mentioned as an artist-prophet.
- [Nietzsche](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/nietzsche.md): The philosopher, discussed in relation to the Superman and evolution.
- [Christ](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/christ.md): The religious figure, discussed in the context of legends and evolution.
- [Muhammad](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/muhammad.md): The religious founder, mentioned in the context of legends.
- [Satan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/satan.md): The devil, referenced in the context of religious legends.
- [Methuselah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/methuselah.md): The biblical figure known for his long life, central to the book's theme.
- [Elijah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/elijah.md): The biblical prophet, referenced in the context of longevity.
- [Enoch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/enoch.md): A biblical figure who walked with God, referenced for his longevity.
- [Adam Smith](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/adam_smith.md): The economist, mentioned in the context of political economy.
- [Robert Owen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/robert_owen.md): The social reformer, mentioned in the context of socialism.
- [Charles Bradlaugh](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/charles_bradlaugh.md): A secularist and politician, mentioned in the context of freethought.
- [Tyndall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/tyndall.md): A physicist, mentioned in the context of scientific materialism.
- [Helmholtz](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/helmholtz.md): A scientist, mentioned in the context of physics and evolution.
- [Malthus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/malthus.md): The economist, whose population theory influenced Darwin.
- [Paley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/paley.md): The theologian, known for the watchmaker analogy, critiqued in the book.
- [Linnaeus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/linnaeus.md): The botanist, mentioned as an early classifier of life.
- [Erasmus Darwin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/erasmus_darwin.md): Charles Darwin's grandfather, an early evolutionist poet and scientist.
- [Lorenz Oken](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/lorenz_oken.md): A German naturalist, mentioned as an early evolutionist.
- [Metchnikoff](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/metchnikoff.md): A biologist, mentioned in the context of longevity research.
- [Voltaire](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/voltaire.md): The French philosopher, mentioned in the context of religious criticism.
- [Shelley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/shelley.md): The poet, mentioned in the context of creative evolution.
- [Blanco Posnet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/blanco_posnet.md): A character from another Shaw play, referenced in the preface.
- [Old Nobodaddy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/old_nobodaddy.md): A name for God, used in a critical context.
- [Joseph Popham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/joseph_popham.md): A character mentioned in the preface, possibly a historical figure.
- [Cleopatra-Semiramis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/cleopatra_semiramis.md): A historical figure referenced in the preface.
- [Wells](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters/wells.md): H.G. Wells, mentioned in the context of evolution and society.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/back_to_methuselah_se/characters