"The Professor's House" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "The Professor's House" by Willa Cather, the novel revolves around Godfrey St. Peter, a renowned professor of history at a Midwestern university. The story delves into his inner conflicts, relationships, and the complex characters that surround him.

Character Descriptions

Godfrey St. Peter

Godfrey St. Peter is the central character and protagonist of the novel. He is a middle-aged man who has built a successful career as a history professor. Godfrey is depicted as introverted, introspective, and deeply contemplative. He is passionate about his work but feels trapped by his life's routine.

Augusta St. Peter

Augusta is Godfrey's wife. She is portrayed as a traditional and practical woman who values stability and domesticity. Augusta struggles to understand her husband's inner turmoil and becomes increasingly frustrated with their stagnant marriage.

Tom Outland

Tom is a former student of Godfrey and a significant influence on his life. Tom's character is explored through his letters and stories told by others. Tom is adventurous, ambitious, and has a keen interest in Native American culture and artifacts. His mysterious and tragic past plays an essential role in shaping Godfrey's thoughts and actions.

Rosamund St. Peter

Rosamund is Godfrey and Augusta's daughter. She is portrayed as beautiful and vibrant but lacks depth and ambition. Rosamund represents the younger generation's values and the shifting societal norms that Godfrey finds it difficult to relate to.

Kathleen West

Kathleen is a young woman who becomes a potential love interest for Godfrey. She is vibrant, independent, and embodies a sense of freedom that Godfrey finds alluring. Kathleen's character serves as a catalyst for Godfrey's desire for change and exploration.

Louie Marsellus

Louie is Godfrey's neighbor and close friend. He is a successful businessman who contrasts the academic life of Godfrey. Louie symbolizes material wealth and success, often stimulating Godfrey's contemplation about the paths he could have taken in life.

Scott McGregor

Scott McGregor is a friend of Godfrey and shares his love for history. He serves as a sounding board for Godfrey's thoughts and provides support and guidance throughout the story.

Character Traits

Godfrey St. Peter

• Introverted
• Contemplative
• Ambitious
• Dissatisfied
• Intellectual

Augusta St. Peter

• Traditional
• Practical
• Stability-seeking
• Frustrated
• Loyal

Tom Outland

• Adventurous
• Ambitious
• Intelligent
• Mysterious
• Determined

Rosamund St. Peter

• Beautiful
• Superficial
• Aimless
• Sociable
• Naive

Kathleen West

• Independent
• Alluring
• Free-spirited
• Ambitious
• Empathetic

Louie Marsellus

• Successful
• Materialistic
• Outgoing
• Supportive
• Influential

Scott McGregor

• Intellectual
• Supportive
• Encouraging
• Trustworthy
• Wise

Character Background

Godfrey St. Peter

Godfrey St. Peter grew up in a small Midwestern town and made his mark as a prominent history professor at a university. He married Augusta and had a daughter, Rosamund. His life was relatively stable until he meets Tom Outland, whose experiences and intellect shake Godfrey's inner world and fuel his desire for change.

Augusta St. Peter

Augusta St. Peter comes from a conservative and traditional background. She married Godfrey and devoted herself to maintaining a stable and functional household. Augusta struggles to understand her husband's inner turmoil and increasingly feels distant from him.

Tom Outland

Tom Outland comes from humble beginnings and becomes a student of Godfrey St. Peter. His experiences as a frontiersman in the Southwest profoundly impact his worldview and shape his ambitious nature. Tom's tragic fate leaves a lasting impression on Godfrey.

Rosamund St. Peter

Rosamund grows up in an affluent and comfortable environment under her parents' care. Despite her beauty and social charm, she lacks ambition and depth, reflecting the changing values of the younger generation that Godfrey struggles to reconcile with.

Kathleen West

Kathleen is a young woman with an independent spirit. She becomes an object of Godfrey's fascination and desire for liberation from his stagnant life. Kathleen's background is not extensively explored in the novel.

Louie Marsellus

Louie Marsellus is a friend and neighbor of Godfrey St. Peter. As a successful businessman, Louie represents a different path that Godfrey could have taken. Louie's regular visits and conversations with Godfrey provide glimpses into his affluent and materialistic life.

Scott McGregor

Scott McGregor is a friend and colleague of Godfrey St. Peter. He shares Godfrey's passion for history and serves as a supportive and understanding figure in his life. Scott's background is not extensively explored in the novel.

Character Arcs

Godfrey St. Peter

Godfrey's character arc revolves around his internal struggle to find meaning and fulfillment in his life. Initially, Godfrey is dissatisfied with his routine and feels trapped in his marriage. Through his interactions with Tom Outland, the potential relationship with Kathleen, and his introspective thoughts, he begins to question his choices and desires change. By the end of the novel, Godfrey experiences a shift in perception and finds a reconciled sense of purpose.

Augusta St. Peter

Though Augusta's character arc is less prominent than Godfrey's, her role as Godfrey's wife parallels his journey. Initially resistant to change, Augusta starts to recognize the stagnancy in their marriage and attempts to bridge the growing gap between them. Her arc ultimately leads to acceptance and a deeper understanding of Godfrey's needs and desires.

Tom Outland

Tom Outland's character arc unfolds through his letters and stories. We learn about his adventurous spirit, his love for Native American culture, and his tragic experiences in the Southwest. While Tom's story ends tragically, his impact on Godfrey's life is profound, leading to a transformative effect on Godfrey's character.

Rosamund St. Peter

Rosamund's character arc is more subtle but mirrors the generational divide in the novel. She represents the traditional societal expectations placed on women and lacks ambition beyond her beauty and social charm. As the novel progresses, Rosamund's interactions and observations of others, particularly Godfrey, compel her to question her own values and consider a different path.

Relationships

Godfrey and Augusta St. Peter

Godfrey and Augusta's marriage is strained throughout the novel. They have become emotionally distant and struggle to understand each other. Their relationship highlights the challenges of communication and the impact of a stagnant marriage.

Godfrey and Tom Outland

Godfrey's relationship with Tom has a significant influence on his character. Tom's intellect, adventurous spirit, and tragic past captivate Godfrey's imagination and inspire him to reevaluate his own life choices.

Godfrey and Kathleen West

Godfrey's potential relationship with Kathleen represents a pivotal point in his character development. Kathleen's presence challenges his sense of duty and ignites his desire for change, pushing him to question the life he has built.

Godfrey and Louie Marsellus

Louie serves as a contrasting figure to Godfrey. Their interactions highlight the different choices and paths one can take in life. Louie's regular visits and conversations provide Godfrey with glimpses into an alternative life, stimulating his contemplation.

Godfrey and Scott McGregor

Scott is a supportive friend and colleague to Godfrey. Their shared love for history strengthens their bond and provides Godfrey with a sounding board for his thoughts and introspection throughout the novel.

In Willa Cather's "The Professor's House," the characters intertwine to explore themes of identity, desire, and the pursuit of meaning. The complex relationships and character arcs hold a mirror to societal expectations and personal fulfillment. Through Godfrey St. Peter's journey, the novel delves into the complexities of human experience and the search for a fulfilled existence in a changing world.