Mr. Sammler's Planet

Main Characters and Their Development

• Arthur Sammler is an elderly intellectual who survived the horrors of the Holocaust, a man of subtle, ironic temperament whose inner life is filled with reflections on human nature, morality, and the chaos of the modern world. His view of reality is imbued with skepticism and weariness, yet also with an unquenchable search for meaning and dignity. Like an observer from another planet, Sammler tries to reconcile the tragic experiences of his past with the unsettling reality of late 1960s New York, where he confronts moral decay, alienation, and his own vulnerability. His journey is one from estrangement and inner isolation toward an attempt to find compassion and understanding for others, despite his disappointment in humanity.
• Shifra, Sammler's niece, is a woman of complex character whose actions and emotional outbursts challenge Arthur and prompt him to reflect on family ties, responsibility, and forgiveness. Her inner turmoil and restlessness mirror a crisis of identity and the search for stability in a world where traditional values have become blurred.
• Dr. Efraim Lemann, Sammler's friend, embodies rationalism and a scientific approach to life, yet is not without human weaknesses. His relationship with Sammler is built on trust and mutual respect, and his character serves as a counterpoint to the protagonist's philosophical quest, highlighting the difficulty of choosing between reason and emotion.