St. Peter's Umbrella: Analysis of Major Characters
"St. Peter's Umbrella: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate relationships and transformative experiences of key figures within a small village narrative. Central to the story is János Bélyi, a young priest whose life takes a dramatic turn upon discovering a red umbrella believed to possess miraculous powers. This umbrella not only alters János's fortunes but also connects him to his sister Veronica, who was left on his doorstep as an infant and later finds love with Gyury Wibra, the heir to the umbrella's original owner.
Pál Gregorics, the wealthy bachelor and original owner of the umbrella, adds depth to the narrative as he is rumored to have hidden valuable documents within it. His illegitimate son, Gyury Wibra, seeks the umbrella after Gregorics's death, motivated by the hope of uncovering its secrets. The story also features notable characters such as Jónás Müncz, a Jewish merchant who initially acquires the umbrella, and key figures in the domestic sphere like Anna Wibra and the Widow Adamecz. Together, these characters weave a tale of legacy, love, and the search for identity, inviting readers to delve deeper into the complexities of their intertwined lives.
St. Peter's Umbrella: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Kálmán Mikszáth
First published: Szent Péter esernyöje, 1895 (English translation, 1900)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Hungary
Plot: Comic realism
Time: Second half of nineteenth century
János Bélyi, a priest. He arrives, as a young man, in Glogova. His prospects for a pleasant life in the forlorn village are extremely remote until he comes into possession of a red umbrella, the miraculous powers of which change his fortunes from bad to good.
Veronica Bélyi, János Bélyi's sister, who is left, as an infant, on her brother's doorstep. When János returns from a walk in the rain, he finds her protected by a mysterious red umbrella that the townspeople decide is a gift from St. Peter. As a young woman, she falls in love with and marries Gyury Wibra, the heir of the red umbrella's real owner.
Pál Gregorics, a wealthy bachelor, the father of Gyury Wibra and original owner of the red umbrella. He is reputed to have carried secret documents in its handle. On his death, the umbrella is sold. It disappears until his son traces it to the home of János Bélyi.
Gyury (György) Wibra, Gregorics' illegitimate son. Embarrassed during his father's life by the red umbrella, he hears rumors after Gregorics'death that the umbrella is a repository of valuable documents. He sets out to find the umbrella and traces it to the home of János Bélyi, where he finally comes into possession not only of the treasured relic but of Veronica Bélyi as well.
Jónás Müncz, a Jewish merchant who buys the red umbrella after Gregorics' death and is seen placing it over the infant, Veronica Bélyi.
Frau Müncz, Jónás Müncz's wife.
Anna Wibra, Gregorics' housekeeper and mistress. She is the mother of Gyury Wibra.
The Widow Adamecz, János Bélyi's housekeeper.
János Sztolarik, Gregorics' lawyer.