The characters in The Dead Father are neither differently nor more completely developed than their counterparts in Snow White (1967). This includes the Dead Father himself who, at 3200 cubits long, is imposing and ridiculous. The subject of sagas, the Dead Father is given to throwing temper tantrums when not allowed to have his way (particularly in sexual matters).

His mechanical left leg is the self-conscious symbol of his cartoon emasculation. The nineteen men who pull the Dead Father are both disgruntled and uncertain about their difficult task: to what "end" and "purpose" they want to know. The Dead Father mistakenly believes that the journey will end with his revivification.

Thomas, his self-doubting thirtynine year-old son, who will turn forty before the novel's end, finds in the journey the fulfillment of "the dream of the stutterer," the "murderinging" of the father. Thomas takes from him his belt buckle, sword, passport...