# Orthodoxy — Character guide

> Key figures in Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton.

- [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/narrator.md): The first-person narrator and protagonist, exploring his journey to Christian orthodoxy.
- [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/jesus_christ.md): Central figure of Christianity, whose life and teachings are the book's core subject.
- [Nietzsche](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/nietzsche.md): Philosopher whose ideas on the superman and the death of God are critiqued.
- [Mr. Bernard Shaw](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/mr_bernard_shaw.md): Playwright and critic, frequently debated as a representative of modern thought.
- [Christianity](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/christianity.md): The religion under defense, personified as a coherent and paradoxical system.
- [Mr. Blatchford](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/mr_blatchford.md): Socialist writer and atheist, whose arguments are directly countered in the text.
- [Shakespeare](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/shakespeare.md): Poet and playwright, cited as an example of artistic and moral insight.
- [Swinburne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/swinburne.md): Poet whose pagan and rebellious themes are discussed in relation to joy.
- [Joan of Arc](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/joan_of_arc.md): French saint and warrior, used as an example of practical mysticism.
- [Mr. H. G. Wells](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/mr_h_g_wells.md): Novelist and futurist, whose utopian ideas are critiqued as narrow.
- [Herbert Spencer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/herbert_spencer.md): Philosopher of evolution and individualism, whose system is challenged.
- [Mr. McCabe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/mr_mccabe.md): Rationalist writer, used as a foil for the narrator's arguments.
- [Tolstoy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/tolstoy.md): Russian novelist and moralist, whose extreme pacifism is discussed.
- [Mr. Gradgrind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/mr_gradgrind.md): Dickensian character representing cold, utilitarian education.
- [Marcus Aurelius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/marcus_aurelius.md): Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, critiqued for his lack of hope.
- [Cowper](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/cowper.md): English poet, cited for his depiction of madness and despair.
- [Robinson Crusoe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/robinson_crusoe.md): Fictional castaway, used as a symbol of practical human reason.
- [Cinderella](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/cinderella.md): Fairy-tale heroine, representing the logic of transformation and joy.
- [Mr. John Davidson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/mr_john_davidson.md): Scottish poet and playwright, whose nihilistic views are referenced.
- [Dryden](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/dryden.md): English poet and playwright, cited for his religious poetry.
- [The Christian](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/the_christian.md): Generic figure representing the orthodox believer under discussion.
- [Mr. G. S. Street](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/mr_g_s_street.md): Contemporary writer and critic, quoted on the nature of orthodoxy.
- [Tennyson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/tennyson.md): Poet laureate, cited for his lines on faith and doubt.
- [Mr. W. B. Yeats](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/mr_w_b_yeats.md): Irish poet, whose mystical and folkloric interests are noted.
- [Becket](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/becket.md): Archbishop of Canterbury, martyr, used as an example of spiritual authority.
- [Plato](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/plato.md): Greek philosopher, referenced for his theory of forms and idealism.
- [Renan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/renan.md): French historian of religion, whose skeptical view of Christ is countered.
- [Descartes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/descartes.md): Philosopher, whose method of doubt is critiqued as leading to madness.
- [Huxley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/huxley.md): Biologist and agnostic, whose evolutionary views are discussed.
- [Homer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/homer.md): Ancient Greek poet, cited for the epic worldview.
- [St. John the Evangelist](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/st_john_the_evangelist.md): Apostle and gospel writer, quoted on the nature of God as love.
- [Bradlaugh](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/bradlaugh.md): Secularist and politician, whose Malthusian views are criticized.
- [Adam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/adam.md): Biblical first man, used in discussion of original sin and fall.
- [Poe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/poe.md): American writer, cited for his tales of horror and madness.
- [Haeckel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/haeckel.md): German biologist, whose materialist philosophy is mentioned.
- [Benjamin Disraeli](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/benjamin_disraeli.md): British prime minister and novelist, quoted on the Church of England.
- [King Bomba](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/king_bomba.md): Nickname for King Ferdinand II of Naples, symbol of tyranny.
- [Mrs. Besant](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/mrs_besant.md): Theosophist and social reformer, whose views are briefly critiqued.
- [Tommy Paine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/tommy_paine.md): Thomas Paine, revolutionary writer, cited for his deism.

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