"In the Country of Last Things" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

"In the Country of Last Things" by Paul Auster is a dystopian novel set in an unnamed city that is on the brink of collapse. The story follows Anna Blume, a young woman who travels to the city in search of her missing brother. Anna's role as the protagonist drives the narrative and allows readers to explore the bleak and chaotic world of the novel.

Character Descriptions

• Anna Blume: Anna is a determined and resourceful young woman. She is described as having a strong will and a sense of purpose. Anna is relentless in her pursuit of finding her brother and surviving in the harsh conditions of the city.
• Isabel: Isabel is Anna's friend and companion in the city. She is portrayed as a kind-hearted and empathetic person who helps Anna navigate the dangerous environment. Isabel acts as a source of support for Anna throughout her journey.
• Mr. Hendley: Mr. Hendley is Anna's employer in the city. He is a wealthy and powerful man who provides Anna with a job and a place to stay. However, Mr. Hendley's motives and true nature remain ambiguous throughout the novel.
• Julio: Julio is Isabel's brother and plays a minor role in the novel. He is a troubled individual who becomes entangled in the dangerous underworld of the city. Julio's character serves as a catalyst for certain events in the story.
• Bernard: Bernard is a man whom Anna develops a romantic relationship with. He is described as sensitive and compassionate, providing emotional support to Anna during her journey. Bernard's character brings a sense of hope and humanity amidst the despair of the city.
• The General: The General is a powerful figure who rules over the city. He represents the oppressive and totalitarian regime that controls the lives of the city's inhabitants. The General's character symbolizes the loss of freedom and individuality in the dystopian society.
• The Thief: The Thief is a mysterious character who plays a significant role in the story. He is skilled at stealing valuable items and has a hidden agenda. The Thief's character adds an element of suspense and intrigue to the narrative.
• The Collector: The Collector is another enigmatic character who collects and preserves artifacts from the city's past. He is fascinated with the remnants of the world that existed before the city's decline. The Collector's character represents the longing for a lost civilization and the desire to hold onto memories.

Character Traits

• Anna Blume: Determined, resourceful, strong-willed
• Isabel: Kind-hearted, empathetic, supportive
• Mr. Hendley: Wealthy, powerful, ambiguous
• Julio: Troubled, entangled, catalyst
• Bernard: Sensitive, compassionate, hopeful
• The General: Oppressive, totalitarian, symbolic
• The Thief: Mysterious, skilled, secretive
• The Collector: Enigmatic, fascinated, nostalgic

Character Background

• Anna Blume: Anna comes from a relatively ordinary background, but her life is turned upside down when her brother goes missing. She embarks on a journey to the city in search of him, leaving behind her familiar life. Her determination to find her brother and survive in the city drives her character arc.
• Isabel: Isabel is introduced as a childhood friend of Anna's. She has lived in the city for a longer period and has adapted to its harsh conditions. Isabel's background is not explored in detail, but her presence in Anna's life provides a sense of companionship and support.
• Mr. Hendley: Mr. Hendley is portrayed as a wealthy and influential figure in the city. His background is shrouded in mystery, and his true intentions remain unclear. He offers Anna a job and a place to stay, but his character is ambiguous, leaving readers questioning his motives.
• Julio: Julio's background is not extensively explored in the novel. However, it is implied that he became involved in the criminal underworld of the city, leading to his eventual disappearance. Julio's troubled background contributes to the tension and danger that Anna faces throughout her journey.
• Bernard: Bernard's background is not explicitly discussed in the novel. He is introduced as a kind and caring individual who becomes romantically involved with Anna. Bernard's background is less significant than his role in providing emotional support and hope for Anna in the bleak world of the city.
• The General: The General's background is not explicitly revealed in the novel. He represents the oppressive regime that controls the city, suggesting that he rose to power through force and manipulation. The General's background is less important than his symbolic role in the narrative.
• The Thief: The Thief's background is largely unknown. He is portrayed as a skilled and secretive character who operates in the shadows of the city. The Thief's mysterious background adds an element of intrigue to his character.
• The Collector: The Collector's background is not extensively explored in the novel. He is fascinated with preserving artifacts from the past, suggesting a longing for a lost civilization. The Collector's background is less significant than his role in representing the desire to hold onto memories.

Character Arcs

• Anna Blume: Anna's character arc revolves around her journey to find her missing brother and survive in the city. Throughout the novel, she encounters various challenges and witnesses the harsh realities of the city. Anna's character transforms from a naive and hopeful individual to a more hardened and resilient survivor.
• Isabel: Isabel's character arc is less pronounced than Anna's, but she undergoes personal growth through her experiences in the city. She learns to navigate the dangers and adapt to the harsh conditions, becoming a source of support for Anna. Isabel's character arc emphasizes her strength and resilience.
• Mr. Hendley: Mr. Hendley's character arc is more subtle and mysterious. His true intentions and background remain ambiguous throughout the novel, leaving readers questioning his motives. Mr. Hendley's character arc adds an element of suspense and uncertainty.
• Julio: Julio's character arc is short-lived but impactful. His involvement in the criminal underworld leads to his disappearance, serving as a catalyst for Anna's journey. Julio's character arc highlights the dangers and consequences of the city's environment.
• Bernard: Bernard's character arc revolves around his relationship with Anna. Through their connection, he provides emotional support and hope in a bleak world. Bernard's character arc represents the power of human connection and the potential for love amidst despair.
• The General: The General's character arc is more symbolic and representative of the oppressive regime ruling over the city. He remains a constant force throughout the novel, reinforcing the bleakness and lack of individual agency in the characters' lives.
• The Thief: The Thief's character arc is centered around his mysterious actions and hidden agenda. His character adds suspense and intrigue to the narrative, making readers question his motives and ultimate role in the story.
• The Collector: The Collector's character arc revolves around his fascination with preserving artifacts from the past. His character represents the longing for a lost civilization and the desire to hold onto memories. The Collector's arc adds depth to the exploration of the city's history and the characters' connection to the past.

Relationships

• Anna and Isabel share a strong bond of friendship and support each other throughout their journey in the city. Isabel's presence provides emotional support for Anna, and their relationship serves as a source of strength in the face of adversity.
• Anna's relationship with Mr. Hendley is complex and ambiguous. While he provides her with employment and a place to stay, his true motives and intentions remain unclear. Their relationship adds an element of mystery and tension to the narrative.
• Anna's romantic relationship with Bernard brings a sense of hope and humanity to the story. He becomes a source of emotional support and love for Anna in the midst of the city's despair. Their relationship serves as a reminder of the power of human connection.
• The relationship between Anna and Julio is characterized by tension and danger. Julio's involvement in the criminal underworld eventually leads to his disappearance, triggering Anna's journey in the city.
• The interactions between Anna and The General are limited but serve to highlight the oppressive nature of the regime ruling over the city. The General's character represents the larger power structure that the characters must navigate and resist.
• The Thief's relationship with Anna is mysterious and fraught with tension. His actions and motives remain unclear throughout the novel, leaving readers questioning his true intentions.
• The Collector's relationship with Anna is brief but significant. His fascination with preserving artifacts from the city's past adds depth to the exploration of the characters' connection to history and memory.