Character guide

Narrator

major

Also known as Unknown, I, me, myself, mine

The first-person narrator and protagonist, exploring his journey to Christian orthodoxy.

Jesus Christ

major

Also known as Christ, Jesus

Central figure of Christianity, whose life and teachings are the book's core subject.

Nietzsche

supporting

Also known as Friedrich Nietzsche

Philosopher whose ideas on the superman and the death of God are critiqued.

Mr. Bernard Shaw

supporting

Also known as Mr. Shaw, Shaw, Bernard Shaw

Playwright and critic, frequently debated as a representative of modern thought.

Christianity

supporting

Also known as the Christian religion

The religion under defense, personified as a coherent and paradoxical system.

Mr. Blatchford

supporting

Also known as Robert Blatchford

Socialist writer and atheist, whose arguments are directly countered in the text.

Shakespeare

minor

Also known as William Shakespeare

Poet and playwright, cited as an example of artistic and moral insight.

Swinburne

minor

Also known as Algernon Charles Swinburne

Poet whose pagan and rebellious themes are discussed in relation to joy.

Joan of Arc

minor

Also known as Joan

French saint and warrior, used as an example of practical mysticism.

Mr. H. G. Wells

minor

Also known as Mr. Wells

Novelist and futurist, whose utopian ideas are critiqued as narrow.

Herbert Spencer

minor

Philosopher of evolution and individualism, whose system is challenged.

Mr. McCabe

minor

Also known as Poor Mr. McCabe

Rationalist writer, used as a foil for the narrator's arguments.

Tolstoy

minor

Also known as Leo Tolstoy

Russian novelist and moralist, whose extreme pacifism is discussed.

Mr. Gradgrind

minor

Also known as Gradgrind

Dickensian character representing cold, utilitarian education.

Marcus Aurelius

minor

Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, critiqued for his lack of hope.

Cowper

minor

Also known as William Cowper

English poet, cited for his depiction of madness and despair.

Robinson Crusoe

minor

Also known as Crusoe

Fictional castaway, used as a symbol of practical human reason.

Cinderella

minor

Fairy-tale heroine, representing the logic of transformation and joy.

Mr. John Davidson

minor

Also known as Mr. Davidson

Scottish poet and playwright, whose nihilistic views are referenced.

Dryden

minor

Also known as John Dryden

English poet and playwright, cited for his religious poetry.

The Christian

minor

Also known as Christian, the Christian

Generic figure representing the orthodox believer under discussion.

Mr. G. S. Street

minor

Also known as Mr. Street, specially Mr. G. S. Street

Contemporary writer and critic, quoted on the nature of orthodoxy.

Tennyson

minor

Also known as Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Poet laureate, cited for his lines on faith and doubt.

Mr. W. B. Yeats

minor

Also known as Mr. Yeats

Irish poet, whose mystical and folkloric interests are noted.

Becket

minor

Also known as Thomas Becket

Archbishop of Canterbury, martyr, used as an example of spiritual authority.

Plato

minor

Greek philosopher, referenced for his theory of forms and idealism.

Renan

minor

Also known as Ernest Renan

French historian of religion, whose skeptical view of Christ is countered.

Descartes

minor

Also known as René Descartes

Philosopher, whose method of doubt is critiqued as leading to madness.

Huxley

minor

Also known as Thomas Henry Huxley

Biologist and agnostic, whose evolutionary views are discussed.

Homer

minor

Ancient Greek poet, cited for the epic worldview.

St. John the Evangelist

minor

Apostle and gospel writer, quoted on the nature of God as love.

Bradlaugh

minor

Also known as Bradlaugh the Malthusian

Secularist and politician, whose Malthusian views are criticized.

Adam

minor

Biblical first man, used in discussion of original sin and fall.

Poe

minor

Also known as Edgar Allan Poe

American writer, cited for his tales of horror and madness.

Haeckel

minor

Also known as Ernst Haeckel

German biologist, whose materialist philosophy is mentioned.

Benjamin Disraeli

minor

British prime minister and novelist, quoted on the Church of England.

King Bomba

minor

Also known as Bomba

Nickname for King Ferdinand II of Naples, symbol of tyranny.

Mrs. Besant

minor

Also known as Annie Besant

Theosophist and social reformer, whose views are briefly critiqued.

Tommy Paine

minor

Also known as Tom Paine

Thomas Paine, revolutionary writer, cited for his deism.