The Blue Flower: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Blue Flower" delves into a rich tapestry of characters, primarily centered around Friedrich "Fritz" von Hardenberg, a young poet and philosopher torn between the practical demands of law and his romantic ideals. Fritz is captivated by Sophie von Kühn, a twelve-year-old girl whose beauty is described in elusive terms, rendering her essence beyond standard comprehension. Their dynamic explores the complexities of youthful infatuation and the profound disconnect between Fritz’s artistic aspirations and Sophie's childhood innocence.
The narrative also introduces Karoline "Justen" Just, a practical yet romantic young woman who harbors feelings for Fritz, highlighting the emotional tensions that arise when unreciprocated love challenges friendships. Supporting characters like Jacob Dietmahler, Fritz's friend, and Erasmus, his confrontational younger brother, provide additional perspectives on familial bonds and friendship dynamics. Other family members, such as the mischievous Bernhard and the impatient Sidonie, further enrich the narrative by showcasing the varied responses to societal constraints within their household. Through these character interactions, "The Blue Flower" paints a nuanced portrayal of love, longing, and the pursuit of identity in an 18th-century Prussian setting.
The Blue Flower: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Penelope Fitzgerald
First published: 1995
Genre: Novel
Locale: Province of Saxony, Prussia (now Germany)
Plot: Historical
Time: 1790s
Friedrich “Fritz” von Hardenberg, a poet, philosopher, and writer. Fritz is a young man with thin, long features, a pale complexion, and wide eyes. He studies law but is more interested in theories of existence, reality, and other less practical matters. Nevertheless, he is intelligent and applies himself well to his studies, working to follow in his father's path by training to be an administrator for the state salt mines. He is a romantic and quick to fall in love. He is particularly interested in and taken aback by Sophie von Kühn because her essence cannot be explained or described.
Sophie von Kühn, a young girl and stepdaughter of Johann Rudolf von Rockenthien. Described as a girl with pale, light features and dark hair, Sophie's physical beauty is never objectively defined. Fritz is infatuated with her, while Erasmus describes her as stupid, loud, and fat. Being only twelve years old when she first meets Fritz, Sophie is more interested in childhood pleasures than anything in the adult world. She does not care for higher-order thinking and often does not understand the more complex meanings of Fritz's stories and poems. There is something indefinable about her, and she cannot be drawn or painted. As the painter hired by Fritz describes it, everything in existence calls out to be heard, but no one can hear Sophie's voice.
Karoline “Justen” Just, a young woman living with her uncle Coelestin. Karoline is a young woman in her late twenties. She is practical and composed, although she is a romantic of sorts. In tune with the rest of Coelestin's household, she centers most of her life on day-to-day matters and is very intelligent and diligent. Were she not hindered by the limitations of her gender in eighteenth-century Prussia, she would easily take over her uncle's business. She feels things very deeply, and when Fritz confesses his love for Sophie, Karoline is hurt that he cannot see her as anything more than a friend. She is not above jealousy, but eventually she finds her own happiness.
Jacob Dietmahler, a young man and good friend of Fritz. They studied together at Jena. Jacob is only a few years older than Fritz and is twenty-two years old when he first arrives at Weissenfels to visit. He comes from a wealthy family and is studying to be a surgeon at Jena.
Erasmus von Hardenberg, the younger brother of Fritz. Although he is short and stocky, with generally round features, he is unmistakably related to Fritz. As the closest sibling to Fritz in age, Erasmus attends Jena at the same time, and the two are perhaps the closest of the Hardenberg siblings. Erasmus does not shy away from confrontation, and he cares enough about his brother to challenge him about what he believes to be a simple infatuation with Sophie. Although they fight fiercely over this matter, they remain close.
Bernhard von Hardenberg, the youngest of Fritz's siblings at the beginning of the novel. Known in the family as the Bernhard, he is a young child, blond and fair. The Bernhard is wild and reckless, and he gets into a great deal of mischief. He is beloved by all the family members for his free spirit.
Sidonie von Hardenberg, the younger sister of Fritz. Sidonie is a teenager during the main events of the novel and is impatient at having to stay at home. She is the most direct of the siblings, and she shares with everyone her emotions and her desire to be outside the walls of the Weissenfels estate. She resents being confined while her brothers are allowedtogotoJenatostudy,drink, anddowhattheywish.
Freiherr Heinrich von Hardenberg, an older man and the father of the Hardenberg family. Between the ages of fifty and sixty, the freiherr is a small, stout man who is similar in build to his son Erasmus. He served in the Hanoverian army for seven years in his youth and is now the manager of the salt mines at Weissenfels. He is a very religious and stern man, and he can be a source of fear for his children when they have done something against his wishes.
Freifrau von Hardenberg, the second wife of Freiherr von Hardenberg and Fritz's mother. The freifrau is a slight woman whose presence is almost unfelt at Weissenfels. She involves herself as little as possible in events and in managing the estate and often finds ways to withdraw. Although she does not leave the grounds of the estate, she enjoys living in Weissenfels because it is a small town with some commerce and is larger than the tiny village they lived in previously.
Johann Rudolf von Rockenthien, a local tax collector and stepfather of Sophie. Rockenthien is a large, broad, jovial man. He knows and understands people, although he has very little sense when it comes to bureaucratic matters.
Friederike von Mandelsloh, the older sister and care provider for Sophie. Known as the Mandelsloh, she is very practical and somewhat cold, although she is intellectual and engages with Fritz when he comes to visit Grüningen.
Coelestin Just, the local residing magistrate of Tennstedt and mentor to Fritz. Coelestin takes Fritz in and teaches him about business administration. He is much less strict than Fritz's father and is very successful. He does not understand artistic endeavors, and he prefers to avoid Fritz's literary talents.