Character guide

Pelle the Conqueror

major

Also known as Pelle, Uncle Pelle, Herre Pelle

A young boy who grows from a poor immigrant child into a determined man fighting for justice and a better life.

Father Lasse

major

Also known as Lasse, old Lasse, Little Lasse, Lasse Frederik, Lasse Karlsson

Pelle's gentle, dreamy father who struggles to provide for his son in their new country.

Ellen

supporting

Also known as Mother Ellen, Mistress Ellen

Pelle's loving mother who supports the family through hardship and sacrifice.

Morten

supporting

Also known as Mr. Morten

A severe, incorruptible figure who serves as Pelle's antagonist and conscience.

Maria

supporting

Also known as Fair Maria, Marie, Marie Nielsen, Little Marie

A beautiful young woman who becomes a love interest and source of conflict.

Hanne

supporting

Also known as Bro-bro-brille-brid Hanne, Poor Hanne, Widow Hanne

An old widow who provides shelter and wisdom to Pelle during his youth.

Tommelilla

supporting

Also known as Johan Pihl, Johanna, Johanna Pihl, little Johanna

A schoolmaster's daughter who becomes a pivotal figure in Pelle's early life.

Jeppe Kofod

supporting

Also known as Master Jeppe Kofod, Old Jeppe, Jeppe, Per Kofod, Kofod

A cunning and manipulative farmer who exploits Pelle and his father.

Fris

supporting

Also known as Old Fris

An old, wise worker who mentors Pelle in the stone quarry.

Madam Stolpe

supporting

Also known as Stolpe, old Stolpe, young Madam Stolpe, Madame Stolpe

A wealthy, domineering landowner who employs Pelle and his father.

Peter Dreyer

supporting

Also known as Peter

A fellow worker and friend who joins Pelle in the labor movement.

Gustav

supporting

A charismatic and rebellious friend who influences Pelle's political awakening.

Meyer

supporting

Also known as little Karl, Karl, Karl Meyer, Herre H. Meyer

A factory owner and capitalist who represents the oppressive system Pelle fights.

Erik Erikson

supporting

Also known as Erik, the great strong Erik, little Erik

A strong, loyal friend who stands by Pelle through many struggles.

Ferdinand

supporting

A troubled young man who becomes a close companion and tragic figure.

Master Andres

supporting

Also known as Andres

A skilled craftsman who teaches Pelle the trade of stonecutting.

Mr. Brun

supporting

Also known as Brun, Herr Brun, Old Brun, Kornelius Brun

A wealthy merchant and landowner who plays a role in Pelle's later life.

Brother Kalle

supporting

Also known as Kalle, Brother, Uncle Kalle

A religious figure and family member who offers guidance and conflict.

Howling Peter

minor

Also known as Peter, Howling, Per Kofod—Howling Peter

A loud, aggressive worker who causes trouble in the community.

Tailor Bjerregrav

minor

Also known as Bjerregrav, old Bjerregrav, Old Bjerregrav

A local tailor known for his gossip and sharp tongue.

Garibaldi

minor

A historical figure referenced as a symbol of freedom and revolution.

Kongstrup

minor

Also known as Fru Kongstrup

A wealthy landowner and his wife who interact with Pelle's family.

Rud

minor

Also known as So Rud

A fellow worker and activist in the labor movement.

Karna

minor

A kind-hearted woman who helps Pelle during his apprenticeship.

Johnsen

minor

Also known as Madam Johnsen, Widow Johnsen

A widow who runs a boarding house where Pelle stays.

Sort

minor

Also known as Preacher Sort

A preacher who delivers moral sermons in the community.

Jens Kure

minor

Also known as Jens, November Jens

A worker known for his gloomy demeanor and hard labor.

Peter Jörgensen

minor

Also known as Jörgensen

A fellow stonecutter and colleague of Pelle.

Anna

minor

Also known as Little Anna, Fine Anna, Cousin Anna

A young girl who becomes a childhood friend of Pelle.

Manna

minor

Also known as the old Manna

An elderly woman who shares stories and wisdom with the children.

Anker

minor

Also known as Crazy Anker, Per Anker, XIX The crazy Anker

A mentally unstable man who causes chaos in the village.

Karl Johan

minor

Also known as Karl, Johan

A Swedish worker who joins Pelle in the labor struggle.

Ström

minor

Also known as Ström the diver

A diver who works in the harbor and tells tales of the sea.

Mons

minor

Also known as Only Mons

A solitary worker known for his strength and silence.

Due

minor

Also known as Coachman Due

A coachman who transports people and goods in the area.

Anders

minor

Also known as Swedish Anders

A Swedish immigrant worker who befriends Pelle.

Sister

minor

Also known as Little Sister

Pelle's younger sister who dies in childhood.

Emil

minor

A young boy who plays with Pelle in the village.

Albert

minor

Also known as Per Olsen, Albert Olsen, Olsen

A worker and friend who participates in strikes and meetings.

Otto Stolpe

minor

Also known as Otto, Stolpe

The son of Madam Stolpe who inherits the estate.

Bengta

minor

Also known as Mother Bengta

An elderly woman who cares for Pelle and his family.

Bodil

minor

Also known as the pretty Bodil

A beautiful young woman who attracts attention in the village.

Alfred

minor

Also known as King Frederick, the King, Frederick, Whereat Alfred

A king referenced in historical context; also a minor character named Alfred.

Karen

minor

Also known as poor Karen, little Karen

A poor girl who struggles alongside Pelle's family.

Thatcher Holm

minor

Also known as old thatcher Holm, Holm

A thatcher who works on roofs and tells stories.

Pipman

minor

Also known as The Pipman, old Pipman, Old Pipman

A mysterious old man who plays a pipe and frightens children.

Little Boy Comfort

minor

Also known as Boy Comfort, Boy

A young boy who is a friend of Pelle in the early chapters.

Merry Jacob

minor

Also known as Jacob, Thieving Jacob, Jacob Kristian

A jovial but dishonest man who causes trouble.

Old Ole Köller

minor

Also known as Ole

An old farmer who clashes with Pelle's family over land.

Per Olsen

minor

Also known as Madam Olsen, Olsen, bo'sun Olsen

A boatswain and worker who joins the labor movement.

Nilen

minor

Also known as little Nilen

A fearless and aggressive young boy who fights recklessly.

Master Beck

minor

Also known as Beck

A master craftsman who oversees workers in the quarry.

Madam Frandsen

minor

Also known as Old Madam Frandsen

An elderly widow who lives in the village and gossips.

Baker Jörgen

minor

Also known as brother Jörgen, old Jörgen, Jörgen, Uncle Jörgen

A baker who provides bread and companionship to the community.

Valde

minor

Also known as Druk-Valde

A drunkard who wanders the village causing scenes.

Henry Bodker

minor

Also known as Henry

A cooper who makes barrels and interacts with Pelle.

Vinslev

minor

Also known as crazy Vinslev

A mentally disturbed man who lives on the fringes of society.

Hans Peter

minor

Also known as Hans, Peter

A worker who participates in the labor strikes.

Knut

minor

Also known as Knut Engström

A Swedish worker who becomes a close ally of Pelle.

Albinus

minor

A minor character who appears in the later part of the book.

Niels Köller

minor

Also known as Niels

A member of the Köller family who opposes Pelle.

Paul

minor

Also known as little Paul

A young boy who is a friend of Pelle in childhood.

Stonemason Jörgensen

minor

Also known as Jörgensen

A stonemason who works alongside Pelle in the quarry.

Librarian Brun

minor

Also known as Brun

A librarian who provides books and knowledge to Pelle.

Grandmother

minor

Pelle's grandmother who lives with the family briefly.

Petersen

minor

Also known as Herre Petersen

A minor landowner who interacts with Pelle's family.

Sjermanna

minor

A woman who appears briefly in the village scenes.

Jomfru Köller

minor

A young woman from the Köller family.

Bergendal

minor

Also known as the mighty Bergendal

A powerful landowner who dominates the region.

Peter Funck

minor

Also known as Peter

A minor worker who appears in the later chapters.

Mason Stolpe

minor

A mason who works on building projects in the area.

Lars Hansen

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing.

Wooden-leg Larsen

minor

Also known as Larsen

A sailor with a wooden leg who tells sea stories.

Elvira

minor

A woman who appears briefly in the narrative.

Janus Köller

minor

Also known as Janus

A member of the Köller family who plays a minor role.

Hansie

minor

A young child who appears in the village.

Dampe

minor

A minor character mentioned in the later part of the book.

Sören

minor

A minor worker who appears in the labor scenes.

Monsen

minor

Also known as Shipowner Monsen

A shipowner who employs workers in the harbor.

Actor West

minor

Also known as West

An actor who performs in the local theater.

Old Klaus Hermann

minor

Also known as old Klaus, Klaus, Klaus Hermann

An old man who lives in the village and shares tales.

Blakka

minor

A minor character who appears briefly.

Lively Sara

minor

Also known as Sara, Handsome Sara

A lively young woman who attracts attention.

Blom

minor

Also known as Madam Blom

A woman who runs a local shop or household.