Otto Quangel

Otto Quangel is the novel's protagonist. He is a man in his upper middle-aged years and is described by the author frequently as having a bird-like face. His mannerisms often mimic those of a bird as well, with side-wise, jerky movements of his head and an aloof attitude. Otto likes to keep to himself. He is a hard worker and focuses on getting the job done. Prior to the war, he is a skilled carpenter fashioning quality furniture. Now, he is a foreman in a factory where the workers churn out crates, presumably for transporting bombs, and later on coffins for burying the mounting numbers of dead as the war wears on.

In the early days of Hitler's political career, Herr Quangel supported the rise of the politician who promised so much to his people. But as he sees the injustice and inequity of treatment among various...