Character guide

Presley

major

Also known as Mr. Presley, IV Presley, Already Presley

A poet and observer of the wheat conflict, central to the novel's philosophical themes.

Annixter

major

Also known as Mr. Annixter, Buck Annixter, young Annixter, old Buck Annixter

A passionate and impulsive rancher who owns the Los Muertos ranch.

Magnus Derrick

major

Also known as Magnus, Derrick, Mr. Magnus Derrick, Mr. Derrick

A dignified former governor and rancher, leader of the farmers' resistance.

Vanamee

supporting

Also known as Mr. Vanamee

A mystical shepherd and Presley's friend, haunted by a past tragedy.

Hilma Tree

supporting

Also known as Hilma, Miss Hilma, Tree

A kind-hearted young woman who works on Annixter's ranch and becomes his love interest.

Harran Derrick

supporting

Also known as Harran, Mr. Harran Derrick

Magnus Derrick's son, a practical and hardworking rancher.

S. Behrman

major

Also known as Behrman, Mr. S. Behrman, old jelly-belly Behrman

A corrupt railroad agent and the primary antagonist for the farmers.

Minna Hooven

supporting

Also known as Minna, Hooven

A young woman from a struggling farming family who faces tragedy in the city.

Osterman

supporting

Also known as goat Osterman, Mr. Osterman, young Osterman

A shrewd and scheming rancher involved in the farmers' league.

Dyke

supporting

Also known as Mr. Dyke, Abruptly Dyke

A former railroad engineer turned hop farmer who is ruined by the railroad.

Broderson

supporting

Also known as old Broderson, Mr. Broderson, Old Mrs. Broderson

An elderly rancher and neighbor to Magnus Derrick.

Delaney

minor

Also known as young Delaney, pip Delaney, Mr. Delaney

A hot-headed young rancher who challenges Annixter.

Father Sarria

minor

Also known as Sarria, Father

A Catholic priest who counsels Vanamee and knows the local community.

Angéle Varian

minor

Also known as Angéle

Vanamee's lost love, whose memory haunts him throughout the story.

Genslinger

minor

Also known as Mr. Genslinger, Mister Genslinger

A newspaper editor who opposes the farmers' cause.

Hilda Hooven

minor

Also known as Hilda, Little Hilda, Hilda Hooven

Minna's younger sister, who suffers alongside her family.

Sidney Dyke

minor

Also known as Sidney, Sid, little Sidney

Dyke's young daughter, who is deeply affected by her father's downfall.

Caraher

minor

Also known as pip Caraher, Mr. Caraher

A saloon keeper and friend to the ranchers, often providing refuge.

Cedarquist

minor

Also known as Mr. Cedarquist, Mrs. Cedarquist

A wealthy businessman and Presley's uncle, involved in shipping.

Shelgrim

supporting

Also known as Mr. Shelgrim

The powerful president of the Pacific and Southwestern Railroad.

Ruggles

minor

Also known as Mr. Ruggles, Cyrus Blakelee Ruggles, Cyrus Ruggles

A railroad agent and assistant to Behrman.

Vacca

minor

Also known as Young Vacca, young Vacca, Louisa Vacca

A young man from a ranching family, briefly involved in the conflict.

Garnett

minor

A minor rancher and member of the farmers' league.

Cutter

minor

Also known as Mrs. Cutter

A local resident, possibly a rancher or neighbor.

Phelps

minor

A minor character associated with the railroad or community.

Hartrath

minor

Also known as Mr. Hartrath

A minor figure in the novel's social or business circles.

Keast

minor

A minor character, possibly a lawyer or businessman.

Governor Alvarado

minor

Also known as Governor, The Governor

A historical figure mentioned in the context of California land grants.

Mrs. Derrick

supporting

Also known as Annie Derrick, Annie

Magnus Derrick's wife, a gentle and religious woman.

Gethings

minor

Also known as Mr. Gethings

A minor character, possibly a railroad or legal figure.

Dabney

minor

Also known as Dabney dead

A deceased rancher mentioned in passing.

Gerard

minor

Also known as the Gerard, Mrs. Gerard

A wealthy family associated with the railroad or high society.

Mammy

minor

An elderly servant or nurse in the Derrick household.

Princess Nathalie

minor

Also known as Nathalie

A European aristocrat visiting California, connected to the railroad.

De La Cuesta

minor

A historical figure or minor character with Spanish heritage.

Billy

minor

Also known as Bill

A minor character, possibly a ranch hand or worker.

Disbrow

minor

Also known as Mr. Disbrow

A minor figure, possibly a lawyer or businessman.

Julian Lambert

minor

Also known as young Lambert

A young man from a ranching family, briefly mentioned.

Mrs. Annixter

minor

Annixter's mother, mentioned in passing.

Ulsteen

minor

A minor character, possibly a railroad or business figure.

Mrs. Tree

minor

Also known as Old man Tree

Hilma's mother, a minor character in the Tree family.

Honora Gerard

minor

Also known as Little Honora Gerard

A child from the Gerard family, briefly mentioned.

Stephen Lambert

minor

Also known as Stephen, young Lambert

A minor character from a ranching family.

Samson

minor

A biblical reference or minor character name-dropped.

Solotari

minor

A minor character, possibly a worker or local figure.

James Darrell

minor

Also known as Darrell, Jim, Mr. Darrell

A minor character, possibly a rancher or businessman.

Beatrice

minor

A minor female character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.

Liberty

minor

A minor character, possibly a symbolic or allegorical figure.

Louisa Vacca

minor

Also known as Louisa

A young woman from the Vacca family, briefly mentioned.

Bonneville

minor

Also known as All Bonneville

A town or location personified in the narrative.

Dot

minor

Also known as Dot wass Gravelotte, Gravelotte

A minor character, possibly a nickname or child.

Chattern

minor

A minor character, possibly a lawyer or official.

Pixley

minor

A minor character, possibly a journalist or politician.

Esteban

minor

A minor character, possibly a worker or servant.

Harrie

minor

A minor female character, possibly a child or servant.

Miss Cedarquist

minor

Cedarquist's daughter, briefly mentioned in social context.