Ship of Fools: Analysis of Major Characters
"Ship of Fools" is a narrative that explores the interconnected lives of various characters aboard a ship traveling from Mexico to Europe, highlighting their diverse backgrounds and complex relationships. Central to the story are Jenny Brown and David Scott, a young American couple grappling with their tumultuous relationship as they struggle to agree on their future. Other significant characters include Dr. Schumann, the remote ship's doctor with a serious heart condition who finds himself infatuated with La Condesa, a dissolute noblewoman deported from Cuba.
The narrative also follows couples like Siegfried Rieber and Lizzie Spöckenkieker, who navigate an awkward courtship, as well as the Hutten family, who are burdened by their seasick bulldog. Wilhelm Freytag stands out with his longing for his Jewish wife, leading to jealousy and tension with Jenny. The ship is populated with a range of individuals, including the introspective Mrs. Rittersdorf, the Lutzes with their uncoordinated daughter, and the brash William Denny, each adding layers to the social dynamics onboard.
As the characters confront their insecurities, desires, and prejudices, the ship becomes a microcosm of society, reflecting broader themes of identity and belonging. This rich assembly of personalities and their interactions invites readers to explore the complexities of human relationships amidst the backdrop of a journey towards new beginnings.
Ship of Fools: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Katherine Anne Porter
First published: 1962
Genre: Novel
Locale: Aboard they Vera
Plot: Allegory
Time: August 22-September 17, 1931
Jenny Brown and David Scott, young American painters living together in a tortured, on-again, off-again relationship, unable even to agree whether their first destination after landing in Europe will be Spain or France.
Dr. Schumann, the ship's doctor. He has a serious heart condition. More than any other character, he is remote from common prejudices, tensions, and jealousies, but he becomes enamored of La Condesa.
La Condesa (kohn-DEH-sah), a dissolute noblewoman being deported from Cuba to Tenerife.
Siegfried Rieber (REE-behr) and Lizzie Spöckenkieker (SHPEH-kehn-kee-kehr), a couple on board the ship. He is the publisher of a ladies' garment trade magazine, and she is in the ladies' garment trade. He is short and round, and is separated from his wife. She is taller, scrawny, and long divorced. Their bumptious and never quite consummated courtship lasts almost the whole voyage.
Professor Hutten and Mrs. Hutten (HEWT-tehn), who are returning to Germany after his long tenure as head of a German school in Mexico. When they are not concerned with polishing his image as a deep thinker, they are taking care of their continuously, messily, and embarrassingly seasick bulldog, Bébé.
Wilhelm Freytag (FRI-tahg), who is returning to Germany to fetch his beloved but Jewish wife, Mary, and her mother. He plans to relocate permanently to Mexico, where he works for an oil company. His roving eye falls on Jenny, and he becomes the focus of David's jealousy and Jenny's gamesmanship.
Karl Baumgartner and Greta Baumgartner (BOWMgahrt-nehr), who are traveling with their eight-year-old son, Hans. Karl is a clown and a drunk, Greta is a long-suffering wife, and Hans is a thoroughly repressed and timid boy.
Mrs. Rittersdorf, who prefers to observe others and record her often acid opinions in a voluminous diary.
The Lutzes, a couple traveling with their ungainly eighteen-year-old daughter, Elsa. They are returning to Switzerland after Mr. Lutz has spent fifteen years as a hotelkeeper in Mexico.
William Denny, a crude, hard-drinking American chemical engineer who is going to Berlin. His fruitless pursuit of the Spanish dancer Pastora culminates in a befuddled confrontation with Mary Treadwell.
Mary Treadwell, a decorous and bitter American divorcée, returning with hope and fear to Paris and her youth.
Julius Löwenthal (LEH-wehn-tahl), a Jewish maker and seller of Catholic religious objects and a devout anti-Gentile.
Arne Hansen, a large, strong, slow Swede. He is fascinated by the dancer Amparo and prone to depressing and inchoate philosophizing.
Karl Glocken (GLOK-kehn), a hunchback who has sold his tobacco stand in Mexico to return to Germany.
Captain Thiele (TEE-leh), a stern, autocratic, and extremely class-conscious Junker.
Ric and Rac, six-year-old twins—male and female, respectively—of two of the members of the Spanish singing and dancing troupe. Their antics cross the line from prankishness to malice.
The Spanish troupe, who provide an impudent and criminal counterweight to the Germanic order on the ship.