Player Piano Characters

The novel’s protagonist, Doctor Paul Proteus is the most important manager in Ilium. But despite his corporate success, Paul is depressed with his station in life. He used to believe in the value of engineering… read analysis of Doctor Paul Proteus

Ed Finnerty is a former engineer and Paul’s best friend. He was promoted several years ago to an important job in Washington, D.C., but has since quit because he finds corporate life deeply unrewarding… read analysis of Doctor Ed Finnerty

Anita Proteus is Paul’s wife. Unlike Paul, Anita never went to college, and Paul believes this is why she vehemently detests the people on the other side of the river (people who, like her… read analysis of Anita Proteus

James Lasher is a reverend who lives in Homestead (on the other side of the river from where Paul lives). Unlike most of the people in Homestead, he went to college. In fact, he earned… read analysis of Reverend James J. Lasher

Baer is the Chief Engineer of the entire Eastern Division at the company that employs Paul. He works alongside Kroner, and everyone sees them as a perfect duo. They are, however, quite different from… read analysis of Baer

Lawson Shepherd is Paul’s second-in-command at the Ilium Works. A deeply competitive man, Shepherd resents that Paul got the manager job, thinking that he should have gotten it himself. For this reason, he hates… read analysis of Doctor Lawson Shepherd

The Shah of Bratpuhr is the spiritual leader of a fictional place called Bratpuhr. The fact that he’s a Shah suggests that this made-up region is somewhere in Iran, since “Shah” is a title used… read analysis of The Shah of Bratpuhr

Khashdrahr Miasma is the Shah of Bratpuhr’s translator and nephew. Although he speaks perfect English, he has never ventured beyond the confines of the Shah’s palace—until now. A polite young man who deeply reveres… read analysis of Khashdrahr Miasma

Doctor Halyard works for the State Department as a tour guide for foreign officials. A reserved but self-important man, he takes important visitors on long trips across the country, all the while singing the praises… read analysis of Doctor Ewing J. Halyard

Doctor Katharine Finch is Paul’s secretary at the Ilium Works, where she’s the only female employee. Paul sees her as more of a “symbol of rank than a real help”; in other words, he… read analysis of Doctor Katharine Finch

Doctor Bud Calhoun is the manager of the “petroleum terminal” at the Ilium Works. Bud only has to work whenever shipments come in or go out, so he spends most of his time flirting with… read analysis of Doctor Bud Calhoun

Fred Berringer is a young engineer who’s eager to make a name for himself at Ilium Works. Although he barely graduated college, Kroner gave Berringer a job because he comes from a long line of… read analysis of Fred Berringer

Doctor Fred Garth is the manager of the Buffalo Works. Garth is an older man whom everyone views as “steady and reliable,” even if he isn’t particularly innovative. Kroner tells Paul that the decision about… read analysis of Doctor Fred Garth

A former machinist, Rudy Hertz is now an old man who lives in Homestead and spends his time drinking at the bar with his blind dog at his side. When Paul, Finnerty, and… read analysis of Rudy Hertz

Luke Lubbock is a strange, impressionable man who lives in Homestead and spends his time joining various causes and blending into groups by donning their uniforms. When Paul goes to Homestead and witnesses a “parade… read analysis of Luke Lubbock

Professor von Neumann is a former professor of political science at Union College in New York. When the social sciences building was destroyed in order to make way for a new laboratory, though, von Neumann… read analysis of Professor Ludwig von Neumann

Doctor Gelhorne is the “National Industrial, Commercial, Communications, Foodstuffs, and Resources Director” at the company that employs Paul. This is the highest position in the whole company, but Gelhorne didn’t secure his power in… read analysis of Doctor Francis Eldgrin Gelhorne

Doctor Ed Harris is a young engineer who works at the Ithaca Works. Harrison meets Paul during dinner on the first night of the Meadows, when everyone is required to talk to somebody they don’t… read analysis of Doctor Edmund L. Harrison (Ed Harrison)

Alfy lives in Homestead and makes his money by betting on what song is playing on the bar’s television. With his uncanny knack for identifying a song just by watching the orchestra on television (even… read analysis of Alfy

Doctor George Proteus was Paul’s father. He was the former “National Industrial, Commercial, Communications, Foodstuffs, and Resources Director,” which is the title Doctor Gelhorne now holds. This job is perhaps the most powerful position… read analysis of Doctor George Proteus (Paul’s Father)

Doctor Harold Roseberry is the football coach at Cornell University. Several years ago, the university bought him an expensive team of non-student athletes, so the Cornell football program has gone undefeated in recent seasons. But… read analysis of Doctor Harold Roseberry

Private First Class Elmo C. Hacketts, Jr., is a member of the Army. When Halyard takes the Shah to visit the Army, Hacketts and his fellow soldiers show him an example of a military parade… read analysis of Private First Class Elmo C. Hacketts, Jr.

Janice Kroner, whom everyone calls “Mom,” is Kroner’s wife. In the same way that Kroner acts in a fatherly way toward all of his employees, Mom treats everyone as if they’re her children (as… read analysis of Mom (Janice Kroner)

Doctor Pond is a real estate agent who works for the Ilium Real Estate Office. When Paul wants to buy a rundown farmhouse that has remained untouched by machines, Pond tries everything he can think… read analysis of Doctor Pond

Mr. Haycox is an elderly member of the Reconstruction and Reclamation Corps. Unlike other workers in the Corps, though, he has a very specific job, which is to serve as caretaker for an old farm… read analysis of Mr. Haycox

Gottwald is the previous owner of the farm that Paul buys. Gottwald included a clause in his will saying that the farm has to stay the exact way it has always been, without any kind… read analysis of Gottwald

Edgar Hagstrohm works for the Reconstruction and Reclamation Corps and lives in a suburban housing area called Proteus Park in Chicago. Because Edgar is exceedingly average (as determined by a group of machines), Halyard takes… read analysis of Edgar R. B. Hagstrohm

Wanda Hagstrohm is married to Edgar Hagstrohm. When the Shah visits her household and asks what she does with all the time saved by the various machines that do the housework, one of the… read analysis of Wanda Hagstrohm

Buck Young is a student at Cornell University. Although he’s studying to be an engineer, he plays football for fun with his fraternity. Doctor Roseberry—the university’s football coach—sees him play one day and is… read analysis of Buck Young