# The Hairy Ape — Character guide

> Key figures in The Hairy Ape by Eugene O’Neill.

- [Yank](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hairy_ape_se/characters/yank.md): A brutish, proud stoker on a transatlantic liner who clashes with society and seeks belonging.
- [Paddy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hairy_ape_se/characters/paddy.md): An older, philosophical Irish stoker who laments the loss of the old days at sea.
- [Long](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hairy_ape_se/characters/long.md): A socialist-leaning stoker who tries to politicize Yank's anger.
- [Mildred Douglas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hairy_ape_se/characters/mildred.md): A wealthy, sheltered young woman whose encounter with Yank sparks his crisis.
- [Aunt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hairy_ape_se/characters/aunt.md): Mildred's cynical, aristocratic aunt who accompanies her on the ship.
- [Second Engineer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hairy_ape_se/characters/second_engineer.md): The ship's officer who escorts Mildred to the stokehole.
- [Secretary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hairy_ape_se/characters/secretary.md): The officious secretary of the I.W.W. local who interviews Yank.
- [Policeman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hairy_ape_se/characters/policeman.md): A New York cop who arrests Yank after a street confrontation.
- [Pinkerton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hairy_ape_se/characters/pinkerton.md): A detective who guards the millionaire's home and mocks Yank.
- [Whiskey Johnny](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hairy_ape_se/characters/whiskey_johnny.md): A drunken sailor Yank meets in a bar on the waterfront.
- [Rodin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hairy_ape_se/characters/rodin.md): A sculptor mentioned in a passing allusion, not a living character.
- [Voices](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hairy_ape_se/characters/voices.md): Unseen crowd voices in the prison scene, not a distinct character.

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