Against the Day Summary

Radical labor activist whose murder sets the plot in motion.

Webb Traverse is the patriarch of the Traverse family, a skilled bomb-maker, and a dedicated labor activist in the Colorado mining towns. His radical politics and efforts to unionize miners lead to his brutal murder by agents of Scarsdale Vibe, an event that serves as the primary catalyst for the entire novel. Though he dies early in the story, his presence and legacy loom large over his four sons, driving their individual and collective quests for vengeance and understanding. He represents the oppressed working class and the violent struggle against industrial capitalism at the turn of the century.

Relationships: Frank Traverse (father); Reef Traverse (father); Kit Traverse (father); Zane Traverse (father)

Ruthless industrialist and the primary target of the Traverse brothers' revenge.

Scarsdale Vibe is a powerful and malevolent industrialist whose vast empire encompasses mining, finance, and munitions. He is directly responsible for the murder of Webb Traverse and acts as the overarching antagonist of the novel. Vibe is a shadowy figure whose influence extends globally, manipulating political events, exploiting resources, and orchestrating violence for his own gain. He embodies unchecked capitalism and the corrupting force of power, often operating through a network of agents and collaborators. His wealth and reach make him an almost ubiquitous, seemingly unbeatable foe.

Relationships: Webb Traverse (murderer of); Frank Traverse (target of vengeance); Reef Traverse (target of vengeance); Kit Traverse (target of vengeance); Zane Traverse (target of vengeance)

Anarchist bomb-maker seeking violent retribution for his father's murder.

Reef Traverse is the most direct and violent of Webb's sons in his pursuit of vengeance. He becomes a skilled anarchist bomb-maker, traveling through Europe and Mexico, engaging in acts of political violence and sabotage. Reef is driven by a burning rage and a desire for immediate, tangible retribution against Scarsdale Vibe and the oppressive systems he represents. His journey is marked by danger, moral ambiguity, and encounters with various revolutionary figures and secret agents. He represents the visceral, explosive response to injustice, often finding himself caught in larger geopolitical machinations.

Relationships: Webb Traverse (son); Frank Traverse (brother); Kit Traverse (brother); Zane Traverse (brother)

Intellectual seeker of the Tøndelhorn and the nature of reality.

Frank Traverse is one of Webb's sons, more inclined towards intellectual pursuits than his brother Reef. He becomes obsessed with the theoretical device known as the Tøndelhorn, believing it holds the key to manipulating time and reality, potentially offering a way to undo or understand his father's death. His quest leads him into academic, scientific, and occult circles, where he encounters eccentric mathematicians, physicists, and mystics. Frank's journey is a philosophical and scientific exploration of the boundaries of existence, seeking a deeper, perhaps spiritual, understanding of the forces at play in the world.

Relationships: Webb Traverse (son); Reef Traverse (brother); Kit Traverse (brother); Zane Traverse (brother); Yashmeen (lover/mystical guide)

Mathematician and physicist exploring higher dimensions and parallel worlds.

Kit Traverse is another of Webb's intellectually gifted sons, who dedicates himself to the study of advanced mathematics and theoretical physics. He delves into concepts like quantum mechanics, higher dimensions, and the possibility of 'bifurcations' or parallel universes, often under the influence of the reclusive Dr. Vormance. Kit's pursuit is driven by a desire to understand the fundamental fabric of reality, hoping that scientific knowledge might provide a means to counteract the injustices faced by his family. His journey takes him to academic centers in Europe, where he engages in intense theoretical debates and interacts with other brilliant minds, including Dally.

Relationships: Webb Traverse (son); Reef Traverse (brother); Frank Traverse (brother); Zane Traverse (brother); Dally (intellectual collaborator/lover)

Youngest Traverse brother and member of the Chums of Chance aeronauts.

Zane Traverse is the youngest and most adventurous of the Traverse brothers. He joins the Chums of Chance, a group of boy aeronauts who traverse the globe in their airship, the 'Inconvenience.' Zane's experiences with the Chums expose him to a vast array of strange phenomena, historical events, and eccentric characters. While his quest for revenge is less overtly central than his brothers', his aerial adventures provide a unique perspective on the unfolding global conflicts and scientific advancements. He represents a sense of innocent wonder and youthful exploration amidst the chaos of the early 20th century.

Relationships: Webb Traverse (son); Reef Traverse (brother); Frank Traverse (brother); Kit Traverse (brother); Lindsay Nosegay (fellow Chum); Miles Blundell (fellow Chum)

Brilliant female mathematician and scientist, associated with Kit Traverse.

Dally is a highly intelligent and independent female mathematician and physicist who collaborates with Kit Traverse. She is at the forefront of exploring cutting-edge theories in quantum mechanics, higher dimensions, and the nature of reality. Dally challenges the male-dominated scientific establishment and offers crucial insights into the complex theoretical concepts that Kit is pursuing. Her character embodies intellectual prowess and a pioneering spirit, pushing the boundaries of scientific thought in a world rapidly changing due to new discoveries and impending war. She often serves as a sounding board and intellectual partner for Kit.

Relationships: Kit Traverse (intellectual collaborator/lover)

Mysterious woman with knowledge of esoteric traditions and 'against the day' travel.

Yashmeen is a mysterious and enigmatic woman who possesses deep knowledge of esoteric traditions, occult practices, and the secrets of 'against the day' travel. She becomes romantically involved with Frank Traverse and acts as his guide into the mystical and non-linear aspects of reality. Yashmeen represents an ancient, intuitive understanding of the universe that complements and sometimes contradicts the purely scientific approaches of characters like Kit and Dally. Her presence introduces elements of magic, spirituality, and the potential for manipulating time and fate through means beyond conventional science.

Relationships: Frank Traverse (lover/mystical guide)

Leader of the Chums of Chance airship crew.

Lindsay Nosegay is the capable and adventurous leader of the Chums of Chance, the group of boy aeronauts who travel the world in their airship, the 'Inconvenience.' He is responsible for guiding the Chums through their numerous escapades, which often involve scientific exploration, espionage, and navigating various global conflicts and strange phenomena. Lindsay embodies a spirit of youthful idealism and adventurous inquiry, providing a lighter, more fantastical counterpoint to the darker, more politically charged narratives of the other Traverse brothers. He is a skilled pilot and a resourceful leader.

Relationships: Zane Traverse (fellow Chum); Miles Blundell (fellow Chum)

Elusive secret agent involved in pre-war European espionage.

Renfrew is a recurring and enigmatic secret agent who operates in the shadowy world of pre-World War I European espionage. He is often associated with various intelligence agencies and political factions, and his true allegiances are frequently unclear. Renfrew encounters Reef Traverse on several occasions, sometimes as an ally, sometimes as an adversary, always adding to the complexity of the political landscape. He embodies the paranoia and moral ambiguity of the spy world, reflecting the intricate web of alliances and betrayals that characterized the era leading up to the Great War.

Relationships: Reef Traverse (intermittent ally/adversary)