American Gods

by

Neil Gaiman

The police officer in Lakeside, a kind man who appreciates the low crime rate of Lakeside and tries to help people whenever possible. Chad welcomes Shadow to Lakeside and becomes a true friend to him. Chad is shattered when he finds out the dark secret that keeps Lakeside prosperous, unable to live with killing Hinzelmann though Chad knows that Hinzelmann had to be stopped for the safety of Lakeside’s children. Shadow is able to convince Chad to keep living and start dating Marguerite Olsen, a sign of how much Shadow cares for mortal happiness in contrast to the indifference of most gods.
Get the entire American Gods LitChart as a printable PDF.
American Gods PDF

Chad Mulligan Character Timeline in American Gods

The timeline below shows where the character Chad Mulligan appears in American Gods. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 10
Change and Growth Theme Icon
Deception Theme Icon
...a cop car. The cop chatters about how cold it is, then introduces himself as Chad Mulligan. Chad offers to drive Shadow anywhere he needs to go today, starting with breakfast.... (full context)
Change and Growth Theme Icon
Life, Death, Desire, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Deception Theme Icon
Chad takes Shadow to get clothes and groceries, introducing Shadow to everyone they meet as Mike... (full context)
Chapter 11
Life, Death, Desire, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Deception Theme Icon
...ice, hoping that he will win the raffle when it falls. Back at Shadow’s apartment, Chad is waiting to check in with him. Shadow asks if Marguerite is always so stern,... (full context)
Life, Death, Desire, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Deception Theme Icon
Back in Lakeside, it’s still cold but no longer quite as freezing. Chad Mulligan comes to Shadow’s apartment the day after he returns from San Francisco. Chad brings... (full context)
Chapter 12
Life, Death, Desire, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Deception Theme Icon
Plurality and the Power of the Individual in America Theme Icon
...Laura, or strange dreams. Getting a haircut at the local barber one day, Shadow sees Chad Mulligan. Chad welcomes Shadow back to Lakeside and tells Shadow to consider a career in... (full context)
Chapter 13
Change and Growth Theme Icon
Deception Theme Icon
...for Marguerite and stopping at Mabel’s restaurant for a pasty. The gossip there is that Chad’s cousin has come into town. (full context)
Mythology, Belief, and Community Theme Icon
Life, Death, Desire, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Deception Theme Icon
In the bar, Shadow greets Chad with a wave and starts to walk toward a table before he is stopped by... (full context)
Mythology, Belief, and Community Theme Icon
Deception Theme Icon
Shadow waits at the police station while Chad makes many phone calls trying to straighten out who Shadow is. Shadow asks to make... (full context)
Life, Death, Desire, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Deception Theme Icon
...young “Negro child” disappeared that January. As Shadow scans the minutes for winter of 1878, Chad interrupts and regretfully tells Shadow that he is under arrest for violating his parole. (full context)
Change and Growth Theme Icon
Life, Death, Desire, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Deception Theme Icon
Chad processes Shadow as a prisoner, where Shadow signs the paperwork as Mike Ainsel to say... (full context)
Life, Death, Desire, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Deception Theme Icon
...in the lobby and Shadow hurries to put the Liberty coin back in his sock. Chad Mulligan comes in to the holding cell and sympathizes with Shadow before delivering him to... (full context)
Chapter 20
Mythology, Belief, and Community Theme Icon
Life, Death, Desire, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Deception Theme Icon
Plurality and the Power of the Individual in America Theme Icon
Chad Mulligan suddenly comes into the room, his gun pointed at the floor, soothingly telling Hinzelmann... (full context)
Life, Death, Desire, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Chad woodenly shifts Hinzelmann’s body so that his head is in the fire in the fireplace.... (full context)
Change and Growth Theme Icon
Life, Death, Desire, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Deception Theme Icon
In the car, Shadow asks Chad what happened with Audrey. Chad tells him that Audrey returned to Eagle Point and broke... (full context)
Mythology, Belief, and Community Theme Icon
Change and Growth Theme Icon
Plurality and the Power of the Individual in America Theme Icon
The Sacredness of American Land Theme Icon
After sending Chad to see Marguerite, Shadow drives south to Madison, Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Samantha Black Crow closes up... (full context)