Claude’s elder brother, a successful and reserved businessman known for his financial prudence and joyless demeanor.

Claude’s younger brother, characterized by his laziness and fascination with material possessions and luxury.

Claude's intelligent and self-sacrificing mother, who shares his love for books and plays a pivotal role in his development.

Claude’s father, a financially successful farmer from Maine who values material wealth over intellectual pursuits.

The Wheeler family's devoted cook, who is illiterate but cherishes Claude’s interest in reading and learning.

Claude's intellectual friend from Bohemia who encourages Claude to explore his American identity.

A skilled farmer and neighbor who is Claude's friend and enlists in the army alongside him.

A traveling preacher who influences Claude's education by recommending religious schooling.

A university student of German heritage who introduces Claude to European culture and intellectual gatherings.

Julius’s cultured mother, known for hosting salons that pique Claude’s curiosity about Europe.

A thoughtful and musically talented teacher who secretly admires Claude and inspires him to pursue his ambitions.

A wealthy and religious woman who marries Claude, though her austere lifestyle leads to marital tension.

A hardworking German immigrant farmer who faces local suspicion during World War I.

A prosperous German farmer outspoken about his anti-American sentiments during the war.

A soft-spoken officer from Virginia who succumbs to influenza while en route to France.

An ignorant yet authoritative officer whose family connections helped him secure his position.

The dedicated doctor aboard the Anchises who enlists Claude as a medical assistant during an influenza outbreak.

An adventurous fighter pilot serving in the British air brigade, whose lively stories intrigue Claude.

An officer Claude knew from his university days, who proves to be an ineffective leader.

A talented violinist turned soldier from New York, whose friendship with Claude grows amid shared war experiences.

A compassionate elderly French couple who provide hospitality to Claude and Gerhardt during the war.

A French woman who expresses gratitude to American soldiers for their role in liberating her village.