Professor Leopold Nettles

Professor Leopold Nettles, the central figure in the play, is an embattled philosopher whose controversial book has drawn the ire of the government. Consequently, he is placed under intense surveillance and experiences a profound sense of paranoia and loneliness, feeling trapped within his own home. Though physically free to venture outside, Leopold dreads the anxiety he would feel, saying:

And be a nervous wreck the whole time, not knowing what's going on back here?

Leopold's personal life is as complex as his political stance. He grapples with self-doubt, perceiving himself as a coward lacking integrity and love. Despite his inner turmoil, the world views him as a beacon of truth and conviction, projecting their expectations onto him. This external perception of him as a martyr for truth only adds to his burden.

Within his personal circle, Leopold navigates complicated relationships. He is aware of his wife Suzana's anger, partly because of her apparent affair with his friend Edward. Meanwhile, Leopold himself is involved with Lucy, who sees him as a lover in need of liberation. This entangled web is further complicated by Suzana's apparent acceptance of Lucy, indicating a possible open relationship. Despite being revered by some, such as the young student Marguerite and the two mill workers, the First and Second Sidney, Leopold remains a prisoner of public expectation.

His predicament is exacerbated by government agents, the First and Second Chap, who pressure him to deny authorship of his work to avoid imprisonment, a demand that highlights the irony of the political climate.

Edward

Edward, ostensibly a friend of Leopold, is more concerned with pursuing Suzana than genuinely supporting Leopold. While he offers superficial encouragement for Leopold to embrace the outside world and keep his windows open, his true intentions lie elsewhere. Edward's actions reveal him as an opportunist, using Leopold's dire situation to his advantage and engaging Suzana in social outings, such as movies and dinner dances, further suggesting an affair.

Suzana

Suzana, Leopold's wife, is a complex character caught between loyalty and her own desires. Although she continues to perform household duties like shopping, her constant anger and criticism of Leopold's impractical lifestyle reveal her frustration. She chastises him for trivial matters, such as eating with a silver spoon or his inability to wash dishes properly. Her actions indicate a longing for a normal life, one she seeks through her association with Edward, despite not wishing for Leopold to recant his political stance.

Lucy

Lucy, Leopold's mistress, sees herself as a source of emotional solace for Leopold. Her aim is to "unblock" his creative potential through love, though she faces a roadblock with his emotional and physical impotence. Despite the attraction they share, Leopold fails to protect Lucy when she is taken away by the regime's lackeys, an event that leaves him ashamed and powerless. Her presence underscores Leopold's internal conflict between the personal and political realms.

Bertram

Among Leopold's friends, Bertram stands out as the most genuinely concerned. Unlike others, his worry is heartfelt, as he fears for Leopold's mental well-being and his dwindling capacity for emotional engagement. Bertram criticizes Leopold for becoming detached from his philosophical roots, indicating a broader concern for his friend's stagnation and the loss of his once-vibrant intellectual spirit.

Marguerite

Marguerite is a young graduate student who idolizes Leopold, both as a thinker and a person. Her infatuation represents the naive romanticism often attached to political martyrs, as she seeks the same validation from Leopold that Lucy and Suzana might have previously desired. Marguerite's adoration highlights the societal need for heroes, even when those figures falter under personal...