Nathan Zuckerman

Nathan Zuckerman is portrayed as an established Jewish novelist who, at the age of twenty-three, visited the home of a famous older writer, E. I. Lonoff. Driven by a deep commitment to his craft, Zuckerman aspired to emulate Lonoff's reclusive lifestyle dedicated exclusively to writing. Characteristically, Zuckerman resides more in a world of imagination than reality, a trait that fuels his conflict with his father, Victor Zuckerman. His father disapproved of one of Nathan's stories for its unflattering depiction of Jewish people. Seeking validation from a literary mentor, Zuckerman visits Lonoff. It is during this visit that he encounters the enigmatic Amy Bellette. Fascinated by her, Zuckerman conjures a fantasy that she is Anne Frank, the renowned diarist from World War II. This intriguing fantasy symbolizes his inner struggle with identity and art. Zuckerman's relationship with his father is mired in tension, as "Doc" Zuckerman perceives his son's work as potentially harmful to the Jewish image.

E. I. Lonoff

E. I. Lonoff is depicted by Zuckerman as the epitome of a literary ascetic in America. At fifty-six, Lonoff embodies the dedication of Henry James, the enigmatic solitude of J. D. Salinger, and the keen insight into Jewish experiences akin to Bernard Malamud or Isaac Bashevis Singer. His life is singularly consumed by "turning sentences around," as he dismisses anything that detracts from this focus as a mere waste of time. Lonoff's life is characterized by a conscious renunciation of the external world in favor of his art, making him both a figure of admiration and a source of tension for those around him.

Hope Lonoff

Hope Lonoff, the overlooked wife of the famous writer, lives in the shadow of her husband's devotion to literature. Unlike Lonoff, Hope craves affection and attention. Throughout thirty-five years of marriage, she has strived to remain unobtrusive, facilitating her husband's pursuit of artistic purity. Zuckerman describes her demeanor as akin to an aging geisha, obediently accommodating Lonoff's needs. However, her frustration with the lack of warmth in her marriage intensifies, particularly as Amy Bellette, a former student of Lonoff, attempts to entice him to Europe. Ultimately, Hope reaches her breaking point, labeling Lonoff's detachment as a rejection of life, and decides to leave.

Amy Bellette

Amy Bellette is a mysterious and alluring young Jewish immigrant. The reader's understanding of Amy is filtered through Zuckerman's perspective, making her true identity ambiguous. She is known to have traveled from England to study with Lonoff at a local college. Currently employed by the Harvard Library, she is involved in efforts to secure Lonoff's manuscripts for archival purposes. Zuckerman's most fascinating fantasy involves Amy as a reincarnation of Anne Frank, which reflects both his romantic aspirations and his desire to mitigate his father's accusations of apathy towards Jewish continuity. This fantasy elevates Amy's character to a symbol of Zuckerman's internal conflicts.

Victor Zuckerman

Victor Zuckerman, Nathan's father, is a podiatrist known as "Doc" Zuckerman. He is vehemently opposed to the portrayal of Jewish people in Nathan's inaugural short story, fearing that non-Jewish audiences will misinterpret it as offensive rather than artistic. This generational clash between father and son highlights differing perceptions of cultural representation and artistic freedom.

Leopold Wapter

Leopold Wapter, a prominent Jewish leader in Newark, New Jersey, becomes involved in the Zuckerman family conflict at Victor's behest. Judge Wapter pens a lengthy letter to Nathan, articulating his objections to the young writer's story. He encourages Nathan to attend a performance of The Diary of Anne Frank, presumably to instill in him a more sensitive and respectful portrayal of Jewish history and identity. Wapter's intervention underscores the societal pressures Nathan faces regarding his literary expressions.