Arch of Triumph

Main Characters and Their Development

• Ravic — the main character, a German surgeon living in Paris without papers. He has survived the horrors of Nazi concentration camps and is now trying to survive in a foreign country. Ravic is a man with deep internal wounds, which he hides behind a facade of coldness and cynicism. His life changes when he meets Joan Madou.
• Joan Madou — an actress who becomes Ravic's lover. She is beautiful but vulnerable, seeking protection and support from Ravic. Their relationship is full of passion and pain, and Joan becomes both a source of joy and suffering for Ravic.
• Boris Morozov — a Russian emigrant and friend of Ravic. He has also endured hard times and is now trying to find his place in Paris. Morozov is a kind-hearted person who supports Ravic in difficult moments.
• Kate Hacking — a nurse working alongside Ravic. She is dedicated to her work and often assists Ravic in his illegal practice. Kate is a strong and independent woman who also feels sympathy for Ravic.
• Weber — a Nazi officer who once tortured Ravic in a concentration camp. Meeting him in Paris gives Ravic the opportunity to seek revenge for past sufferings. Weber embodies the evil and cruelty that Ravic fights against throughout the book.