The Black Obelisk

Main Characters and Their Development

• Ludwig Bodmer — the protagonist, a young man working at a funeral home. He experiences an internal crisis as he tries to find meaning in post-war Germany. His development is tied to his search for love, meaning, and spiritual fulfillment.
• Heinrich Krummacher — Ludwig's colleague and friend, a cynical and pragmatic man. He contrasts Ludwig's idealism and helps him see the world from a different perspective.
• Isabella — a patient at a psychiatric clinic with whom Ludwig forms a romantic relationship. She symbolizes an ideal of beauty and spirituality for him, but their relationship is complex and full of contradictions.
• Heinrich Krummacher Sr. — Heinrich's father, the owner of the funeral home. He embodies the older generation trying to preserve their traditions and values in a changing world.
• Lisa — a young woman working at the funeral home. She has feelings for Ludwig, but their relationship remains one of friendship and mutual understanding.