The Hotel New Hampshire - Characters

Characters

John Berry: John Berry is the 2nd son of Win and Mary Berry. He was born in New England and resides there for most of his childhood. He has several siblings: Frank, Franny, Lilly, and Egg. The story is told from a first person point of view, John being the narrator. John is particularly close to his sister, Franny, more so than any of his other siblings. John took a particular interest in getting in shape after Franny was raped. With help from his grandfather, Iowa Bob (or Coach Bob), he began working out. John describes himself during his early teens saying, "I weighed 170, but I was still only five feet six inches tall." (111). He goes on further stating "That’s me: five feet eight inches tall, and 150 pounds. And hard all over." (111). Although John has a few short sexual endeavors with various females, he holds a special place in his heart for his sister, Franny. Eventually the two succumb to their desires and make love. After this, they remain close, but only as brother and sister. John helps start a Rape Clinic at the old Arbuthnot-by-the-Sea. John marries Susie the bear in the end, and the couple adopt Franny’s child.

Franny Berry: Second oldest child of the Berry family, she is incredibly good-looking, according to those around her, and even her siblings. She has a tendency to take charge of the family, particularly after her mother dies. She essentially takes the role of her mother. She is the victim of a rape, and it remains with her, though she does not admit it, until her mid twenties. She becomes an actress and stars in a movie about her own family. She eventually marries one of the classmates who rescued her from the rape, Junior Jones. Much later the two have a child, which they give to John and Susie.

Frank Berry: Oldest of the Berry children, he is often at odds with John and Franny. Around the age of 16 he came out as homosexual, which resulted in a fair amount of abuse from his schoolmates, especially football players. This culminated when he was hazed by the football players and rescued by John and Franny. His association with his siblings improved after that. The most serious of all his siblings, Frank goes on to major in economics, and eventually becomes Lilly’s agent. Later he also becomes Franny's agent and John's agent. He had taken a special interest in taxidermy, but gave it up after the deaths of his mother and Egg.

Lilly Berry: Second youngest Berry child. She is small in size, probably because she is a dwarf. She is quiet and likable. She becomes a literary figure after her first book, essentially an autobiography of her family, is released. She continues to write, with her brother Frank acting as her agent. Eventually, she succumbs to writers block and commits suicide. She leaves a note which reads: "Sorry, just not big enough."

Egg Berry: Youngest of the Berry children. He is also the most comical of them all, though it is unintentional. An ear infection left him somewhat deaf, and his comical response to most statements/questions directed towards him was "What?".

Win Berry: Father of the Berry children and husband of Mary Berry. He is a graduate of Harvard, but rarely applies such skills. He is more or less an entrepreneur in the field of lodging. He becomes depressed when his wife, Mary, along with his youngest son, Egg, are killed in a plane crash. This state of depression slowly spirals downward, reaching a low point when he is blinded by an explosion, during the foiling of the terrorist plot. He eventually takes up a similar demure as Freud, his old friend, and begins to gain confidence again when they move back to the states. He eventually becomes an unknowing counselor at the rape counsel center.

Mary Berry: Mother of the Berry children and wife of Win Berry. She is originally from New Hampshire, from a very scholarly family. She was a subtle and gentle mother, and remained devoted to her husband. Unfortunately, en route to Vienna, the plane crashed, killing both Mary and her youngest child, Egg. The Berry family decided that Mary would have liked Vienna.

Freud: Old Austrian Jew, he initially trained a bear, State o' Maine, and performed at the Arbuthnot-by-the-Sea. He returned to Europe in 1939 and was imprisoned by the Nazis. He was blinded in an experiment in the Concentration camps. He survived, and afterwords started a hotel in Vienna. He invited Win Berry to come be his partner, which Win accepts. Their business is not entirely successful, but Freud dies a hero when he stops a terrorist plot by sacrificing his life. Win Berry was very fond of him, and seems to be a protégé of Freud.

Iowa Bob: Grandfather of the Berry children and father to Win Berry. He earned a reputation as a stalwart supporter of physical activity, and eventually accepted a position as head of the PE division at a private school in Dairy, NH, so long as his son, Win Berry was allowed to attend the school for free. Iowa Bob later supports John when he decides to begin physical training. Iowa Bob died from fright when he discovered the taxidermy version of Sorrow, the family dog, in his closet. He is best remembered by his quotes "We’re screwed down for life" (117) and "You’ve got to get obsessed and stay obsessed." (111). These quotes are often referenced to the living style of the Berry family.

Ronda Ray: More or less a house keeper at the 1st Hotel New Hampshire. She has a "dayroom" at the hotel, and introduces John to the sexual world, though it is not a relation of attraction.

Junior Jones: African American football player at the private school in Dairy, NH. He is quiet, and unlike most of his fellow players. He helps rescue Franny from being raped, and is a source of comfort for Franny afterward. After many years, the two finally marry and give their child to John and Susie.

Chip Dove: Football player who raped Franny. For some reason, Franny remained in contact with him, even after the rape. After the family moved back to the states, they encountered Chip again, but they staged an elaborate hoax, which resulted in Chip disappearing from their lives.

Ernst: German radical at the 2nd Hotel New Hampshire. He is involved in a terror plot, but is killed by Win before it can be carried out. He resembles Chip Dove in appearance.

Bitty Tuck: Rich, classy girl whom John was involved with during the New Years Party. Their fun is cut short when Bitty, while putting on a diaphragm in the bathroom, sees the taxidermy version of Sorrow and faints. Her nickname, "Titsie," refers to her large breasts.

Lenny Metz and Chester Pulaski: Football players who also raped Franny. They were "taken care of" by the "Black arm of the law."